Equal@Work recognised by the Victorian Learn Local Awards

Yooralla and Centre for Adult Education (CAE) have been shortlisted in the 2019 Victorian Learn Local Awards for the organisations’ partnership on the Equal@Work program.

The Yooralla and CAE Equal@Work team is one of three finalists in the Awards’ Learn Local Collaboration category, which recognises a collaboration between a Learn Local provider and other sectors that has resulted in improved pathways from pre-accredited training to accredited training.

Equal@Work is a tailored learning and mentoring program that supports people with disability to develop employment skills and access paid employment. The program is a collaboration between Yooralla and the CAE, under the auspice of Box Hill Institute of TAFE.

Equal@Work was established in 2017, after research and Yooralla’s internal consultation with customers revealed that:

• literacy and numeracy were key barriers to employment, and
• the lack of cohesion between available services often resulted in activities that filled the day for people with disability, rather than enabling them to meet their goals and aspirations.

The design of Equal@Work places learners into pre-accredited training with access to high quality job outcomes.

Beginning with Skills for Life and Work, a six-week classroom-based pre-accredited course at CAE, students learn employability skills and experience ‘tasters’ of various industries.

This is followed by an eight-week job-seeking mentoring program and work experience. Considering the cycle end-to-end, employers of Equal@Work’s graduates are also assisted to implement workplace programs that support diversity.

A marked improvement in employment outcomes not only gives participants economic independence, but also encourages greater inclusion for people with disability across Victoria.

The Victorian Learn Local Awards are held annually by the Victorian Government’s Adult, Community and Further Education to celebrate the success of individuals, programs and training providers across Victoria.

This year’s winners will be announced at the Learn Local Presentation Dinner on Friday 23 August 2019 at Mural Hall, Myer Melbourne.

Congratulations to the Yooralla and CAEEqual@Work team and good luck!