- Cook Government commits $300,000 to
improve employment opportunities for people with disability in the
small-to-medium enterprise sector
- The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA
will undertake a pilot program, Ability Link, to support more businesses
to employ people with disability
- The program will support delivery of
the CCIWA's Tapping the Talent Pool of People with Disabilities report
recommendations
Disability
Services Minister Don Punch today announced the Cook Government is committing
$300,000 to improve employment opportunities for people with disability in the
small-to-medium enterprise sector.
The funding will be allocated to
the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA to undertake a 12-month pilot program, Ability
Link, aimed at supporting more businesses to employ people with
disability across different industries.
The SME Disability Support
Determination pilot program will assist in delivering the recommendations of
the CCIWA's Tapping the Talent Pool of People with Disabilities report. Released
earlier this year, this report outlined ways to improve employment
opportunities for people with disability in the small to medium enterprise
sector.
The pilot program will:
- increase
awareness of the benefits of employing people with disability;
- provide a clear
understanding of the supports and services that are available and how to access
them;
- deliver
strategies to assist businesses to employ people with disability across
different industries; and
- outline options
to create seamless workforce entry pathways for people with disability.
The pilot program
aligns with the vision and intent of 'A Western Australia for Everyone: State
Disability Strategy 2020-2030', which contains a firm commitment to supporting
people with disability to find meaningful and sustainable employment.
Comments attributed to
Disability Services Minister Don Punch:
"Improving
employment outcomes and ensuring economic participation for people with
disability is a priority of the Cook Government.
"Businesses
are recognising the benefits of prioritising a diverse and inclusive workforce
that reflects our wider society.
"Despite
this, people with disability continue to face significant barriers in accessing
employment opportunities compared to other cohorts in our community.
"The
Cook Government is keen to work in partnership with private sector industries
and businesses to increase employment for people with disability, including
support to employers to feel more confident in employing people with disability.
"In
a tight labour market, this is an opportune time for businesses to consider
hiring people with disability - a talent pool of people who are actively
seeking inclusive and diverse employers.
"This
pilot program undertaken by the CCIWA will ensure those industries and businesses
have a clear understanding of the benefits of employing people with disability
and are equipped with strategies to assist them tap a wider talent pool of
employees."
Comments
attributed to CCIWA Chief Executive Officer Chris Rodwell:
"We
want to make it as easy as possible for businesses to hire people with
disabilities, and this pilot program will aim to clear the barriers that have been
holding them back from doing so.
"It will aim to determine better ways to
connect WA businesses with people with disabilities who are looking for work by
identifying skills gaps and providing specialised support to ensure a smooth
transition into the workforce.
"Crucially, it will identify and clarify the
support and resources available to small and medium-sized businesses who have
told us they'd like to hire people with disabilities but are not sure where to
start.
"A key part of this project is about busting
the myths and misconceptions about hiring people with disability.
"Businesses that excel
in disability engagement are more profitable, their staff are happier, and
their customers are more loyal. It's not just the right thing to do, it's the smart
thing to do for businesses."
