An inspiring collaboration between TAFE NSW and Australia’s largest NDIS registered online platform Hireup is offering a subsidised Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) to its employees.

This subsidised, nationally recognised qualification is designed for support workers to continue learning and developing in the disability sector and with over 4.4 million people in Australia living with some form of disability according to The Australian Network on Disability.

TAFE NSW student, Leigh Baxter jumped at the chance when her workplace offered her the opportunity to enrol in the course.

“I have worked in disability services in the past but without a formal qualification.  This opportunity to add the Certificate III in Individual Support to my resume was too good of an opportunity to turn down.  Being subsidised is a fantastic incentive to enrol in the course.

“The course runs over two evenings per week and our study is done remotely from the comfort of my home. If I had to present personally to a course on campus, I would find it difficult due to work and family commitments. Being from home suits me and my family and allows me to take part,” said Leigh

Hireup was built to change how people with disabilities find, hire and manage their support workers and has helped over 10,000 support workers find employment, get trained, and verified.

With over 200 support workers expressing their interest in formal disability training, and interest in the course, over 80 Hireup support workers have continued to enrol and begin learning the course through TAFE NSW.

Laura O'Reilly, Hireup’s co-CEO said “We are proud to be investing in and delivering formal training for our support workers, particularly those who might not have a formal qualification and want to continue their professional development in the disability sector.

Working with TAFE NSW to bring this opportunity to our support workers means we can continue to upskill and train our workforce in line with national standards while providing our support workers - who are our employees - the development they want and need.”

Enrolments are currently open for Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) at 51 TAFE NSW campus locations across NSW.

Jenny Ellis, Head Teacher Community Services, Health, Hospitality and Services Skills at TAFE NSW Nirimba said it provided a golden opportunity for locals to change careers and gain meaningful person-centred employment.

“This is the preferred benchmark qualification to be employed as a disability support worker.

“Employment prospects for our graduates are excellent because the local economy is having a hard time filling positions.

“The TAFE NSW Certificate III makes you very competitive in the jobs market, and it’s wonderful to see our student’s confidence grow as they support people with a range of disabilities,” said Jenny.

To learn more about studying a career pathways course at TAFE NSW, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.

Media contact: Callum Darby-Linfitt, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7921 1823 callum.darbylinfitt@tafensw.edu.au