An extra 90,000 disability service workers will be required nationally as spending on disability almost quadruples thanks to the NDIS. It is estimated that one in every five new jobs created in Australia will be in the disability support sector.

VMCH is part of an exciting program aimed at ensuring this workforce is highly trained and skilled.

Pilot program

The pilot program, called the Disability Sector Capacity Building Project, is funded by the Department of Education and Training (DET) and managed by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

As part of the pilot, VMCH is providing disability work placement for students at its accommodation services that support people with a disability this year.

Several students have started and completed the project. Some of the students have made such a great impression that they have been offered ongoing roles with VMCH.

The students have studied either a Certificate III in Individual Support or Certificate IV in Disability at various training providers including RMIT and InterCare Training.

Mentors

The program requires mentors to support students, and VMCH team leaders are embracing the opportunity to share their knowledge and skills with students. The team leaders are also receiving training through Monash University aimed at giving them additional skills and resources to take on the mentor roles.

VMCH CEO, Sonya Smart, said a well-trained workforce was essential to delivering great services to more than 460,000 people who have NDIS plans.

“We are excited to be part of this program and see enormous benefits to the people we support. It is crucial that we have strategies in place like this that will help us deliver support to people with a disability that is of the highest standard.”