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School days are coming to an end – what's next?
If you are considering employment options for your child once they complete their secondary schooling, we can help. We assist students in Year 11 and 12 who attend a disability specialist school or a mainstream school and receive additional disability funding or are in a specialist disability class.
The following is a guide to the most common questions we are asked by parents and guardians. Contact us to discuss your school leaver’s support needs and circumstances. We can also help you navigate the process of funding eligibility and support requirements.
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It is never too soon to start planning their transition from school to work. There are a number of post-school options available for your school leaver. As a registered DES provider, Ability WA can help your school leaver find a job in the general labour market. Ideally, we would register your school leaver before they leave school so the transition is as seamless as possible.
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If your school leaver has a permanent medical condition or disability, they may be eligible to receive support from a DES provider. Students funded under the Individual Disability Allocation program or equivalent may be eligible for DES as an Eligible School Leaver if all other requirements are met. We assist people to find employment and maintain employment in the general labour market.
They must be able to work a minimum of 8 hours work per week, initially with some support building up gradually to work relatively independently. The minimum number of hours is important as it not only determines a person’s capacity to work with our support but it also identifies the amount of work the job seeker can do.
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Our service is tailored to match the needs of each person. The service we provide can range from full to minimal support, it all depends on what type of employment the person is suited for and their skill set. We believe in not only providing support to find employment but imparting life skills, providing assistance in building work capacity and readiness, resume development and selection criteria.
We actively market jobseekers to prospective employers to assist them to secure employment. We also provide on-the-job support to both the new employee and employer to ensure both parties are happy and the work is sustainable for the new employee. Ability WA provides ongoing support until the employee reaches a level of independence and does not require regular assistance.
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We will work with your school leaver to identify their employment goals and establish the steps required to achieve them. A plan is developed between the jobseeker and Ability WA which includes mutually agreed activities and assistance. The plan provides both parties with information regarding what they are expected to do in reaching the jobseeker’s employment goals. Often the best way to establish a clear pathway is to undertake work experience or participate in job sampling. This allows individuals to experience the job first-hand and they can decide whether the work suits their skills set and interest. In our experience, most school leavers begin in part-time employment and over time, may build up to full-time employment.
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We strive to place people in employment as soon as they are ready to find a job, however there are a number of factors that can impact the timing - the type of work/industry, position availability and how many other people are competing for the same job. The key to sustainable employment is more about a successful job match and we invest time in finding the right match for your school leaver.
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Ability WA works with a variety of employers and businesses - ranging from small to large in size. Over the past 30 years, we have established ourselves as a successful DES provider within the business community, securing jobs for people in retail, customer service, process/factory work, administration and hospitality to more highly skilled roles such as IT.
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We place jobseekers in jobs that pay full award wages which are paid directly by the employer. We ensure all employment conditions are met, including correctly payment as per the appropriate/applicable award. In cases where a jobseeker works at less than 100% productivity, the Supported Wage Scheme is designed to support a person’s workforce participation through pro rata wages.
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When looking for sustainable employment, we look at accessibility to the workplace via public transport or private transport so people can get to and from work independently.
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We assist individuals with any further education or training needs or interests to help further their career prospects. We have a wide range of networks with training organisations, so will find the best course available for your school leaver.
