Link December 2017 Link DEC 2017 | Page 8

news in the news projectABLE boosting career options for school students A n interactive workshop program is inspiring high school students to consider a career in the disability sector. projectABLE is led by people with disability, visiting students from Years 10, 11 and 12 in schools all around Australia, and it’s achieving some great results – including 80 per cent of students saying they feel inspired to think about a career in disability after completing a workshop. NDS Student Programs Manager disability. Our presenters talk honestly and openly about their disability and are chosen for their ability to connect Jillian Black said the program had with students. It is this connection, completed the workshops held in received outstanding feedback and coupled with honesty and humour, schools around the country from acknowledged social impact. that enables students to learn about More than 7,500 students have Whyalla, South Australia, to Gosford, New South Wales. Surveys of the program have shown: “projectABLE is a response to the living with disability, the importance workforce shortage in the disability of social inclusion and what they can sector. There’s an anticipated 70,000 do to make a difference.” new jobs that will be created in Mrs Black said there is a huge the disability care sector by 2019 variety of career options in the one or more students now working in as a result of the full rollout of disability and community care the disability sector. the National Disability Insurance sector for young people about to Scheme,” Mrs Black said. embark on their working lives – from • 18 per cent of teachers know of • 45 per cent of teachers have had one or more students go on to “The program inspires students support workers and nurses, to social do something related to disability to apply their passions, skills and workers and advocates, marketing advocacy, such as volunteering, abilities to enrich their lives and professionals to business managers, community work or related study. the lives of others by pursuing a and so much more. • 79 per cent of teachers believe their students were inspired to consider a care career after attending a workshop. 06 projectABLE was developed by National Disability Service (NDS). news rewarding career in the disability and community service sectors. “The half-day workshops are free for schools and are led by people with “Our aim is to build awareness of the disability and community care sector and the potential career paths available,” Mrs Black said. linkonline.com.au