Some of Our Parts

There are just two weeks until applications for PACE Mentoring Autumn 2021 close!

Don’t miss your chance to work with a professional mentor towards your career goals and employability skills! 

Apply now on the AND website, or simply email the Programs Team with your expression of interest if you have applied for PACE in the last 12 months.

• Applications close Sunday 28th February.  

Contact the AND Team on 03 9621 2276 or applications@and.org.au if you have any questions.

More organisations announced for Autumn 2021

Mentors from the following organisations are also participating in the Autumn cohort: 

• Accenture
• AGL
• ANZ
• Arup
• Bendigo and Adelaide Bank
• BNP Paribas
• Dentons Australia Limited
• IAG
• IBM Australia Ltd
• Jacobs
• Melbourne Water
• NAB
• Nestle
• QBE
• Rabobank
• RMIT
• Special Broadcasting Service (SBS)
• Supreme District & Land Courts Service (Court Services Queensland)
• VIC Dept of Justice & Community Safety

Do you live in regional Australia?

AND are excited that this round, there is the option to participate in PACE Mentoring virtually as well as face-to-face. This means that no matter where you are in Australia, they can connect you with a mentor!

AND are also pleased to announce that regional mentors from Rabobank will be participating in PACE Autumn 2021, which means there are even more opportunities for jobseekers from regional Australia to participate!

If you would like to participate in the program virtually, simply select the ‘Other/Virtual’ option on the application form.

• Apply for PACE Mentoring here.

NCSEHE-led Project to Establish Australia’s First Dedicated National Career Development Learning Hub for Students with Disability

A new National Careers Institute (NCI) Partnership Grant project led by the NCSEHE will establish Australia’s first Career Development Learning (CDL) Hub for students with disability.

The CDL Hub will provide an accessible range of resources, as well as practical examples of programs addressing CDL for students with disability across the student life cycle.

One of 13 projects funded under the first round of the NCI Partnership Grant program, National Career Development Learning Hub for students with disability will direct over $400,000 to improving careers outcomes for students with disability.

Chief Investigator Professor Sarah O’Shea will collaborate with an expert group of researchers1 from the NCSEHE, Curtin University, the University of Wollongong, La Trobe University, the University of Tasmania and Swinburne University of Technology.

The research team will be guided by key stakeholders from relevant bodies including the Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET), Centres for Disability Studies and leaders of University Diversity and Student Equity units.

“This project is an exciting opportunity to draw upon major NCSEHE commissioned research as well as the work of NCSEHE Equity Fellows Tim Pitman and David Eckstein,” Professor O’Shea said.

“While students with disability bring valuable qualities to the workforce, this cohort faces unique challenges which often result in disproportionately poor employment outcomes. This project will identify best practice, based on a national audit of existing CDL programs, which will inform a series of pilot programs to enable students with disability to fulfil their potential.”

• For more information see: https://www.ncsehe.edu.au/ncsehe-research-career-development-learning-hub-disability/

Stepping Into Internship Program – Nominations Open for Winter 2021!

The Stepping Into Program has connected 1,508 students with disability to leading Australian employers since 2005.

87% of Stepping Into supervisors agreed that they were ‘more confident about managing or supporting a team member with disability’ after participating in the program.

Engaging with the Stepping Into program is simple. Australian Network on Disability (AND) find talented students with disability and assess their eligibility.

They’ll manage student and workplace briefings prior, as well as the evaluation and feedback process after internships are completed.

Dates for the Winter 2021 Program

• Complete the Stepping Into Participation Form with a detailed position description by 28 February 2021.
• Commence interviews in May after AND has completed screening and shortlisting.
• Run internships in July

Dial in to a free webinar for more information

Isabel Heiner, Program Manager, will discuss the Stepping Into Winter 2021 process, timeline, the support AND provides hiring managers and supervisors, and great outcomes from our last Program Evaluation.

• When: 2:00-2:30pm Tuesday 2nd February 2021
• How: Click Here to Join the Webinar (or dial in to the audio at 1800 571 212, Conference ID: 575 182 743#)

*Please advise if you have any accessibility requirements for the session. We can arrange live captioning with 72 hours notice.

Still working from home due to COVID-19?

Reach out to AND to discuss how you can still plan for a Stepping Into intern with flexibility in work arrangements.

• Contact Isabel Heiner on 03 9614 2089 or isabel.heiner@and.org.au if you have any questions.

Applications for PACE Mentoring 2021 are open now!

PACE Mentoring is an industry mentoring program that matches jobseekers and students with disability to mentors from leading Australian businesses. It is free to participate, and gives jobseekers an opportunity to develop employability skills and confidence in a workplace setting.

To apply for PACE Mentoring, click here. Applications close 28th February 2021.

PACE Mentoring Information Sessions

Over the coming months, the AND Programs Team will be hosting online information sessions to provide more information about the PACE Program.

We invite you to dial in if you are a student or jobseeker with disability, a parent or carer of someone with disability, or you work with students and jobseekers with disability.

The session times are: 

• Tuesday 19th January 4-5pm
• Thursday 4th February 3-4pm

*(Melbourne/Sydney/Canberra Time)

Click here for information on how to join.

How it works

Students and jobseekers are paired with an experienced industry professional who will arrange 8 mentoring meetings within a four-month period.

The meetings last between one and two hours. Pairs discuss the mentees career goals and aspirations, and mentors help to develop a personal and professional development plan.

Conversations include:

• Reviewing resumes
• Writing cover letters
• Practicing mock interviews
• Worksite visits
• Networking with other professionals
• Discussing workplace adjustments
• Building confidence

Who are the Mentors?

In 2021, we have mentors with a range of professional backgrounds from organisations including ANZ Bank, Nestle, SBS, IBM, Gilbert + Tobin, Department of Finance, Accenture, Bendigo & Adelaide Bank, Melbourne Water, Arup Group, Court Services Queensland, RMIT, QBE, NAB, Dentons, AGL, Jacobs, VIC Department of Justice.

Mentoring opportunities are in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth & Adelaide. There are also some virtual mentoring opportunities for students and jobseekers based in other locations across Australia.

Eligibility

Anyone 18 years or over with any type of disability, mental health condition or chronic illness is eligible for the PACE Mentoring Program.

TO APPLY FOR PACE MENTORING CLICK HERE.

Applications close 28th February 2021.

• If you have any questions, or require an alternative application method, contact the team at applications@and.org.au or call 03 9621 2276.

Join the GradWISE Industry AccessAbility Week!

Monday 8th of February to Friday 12th of February

Would you like the inside scoop from leading industry employers in preparation for your 2021 Graduate applications?

If you are a university student living with a disability, mental illness or injury, we would like to invite you to join GradWISE’s Industry AccessABILITY Week!

This is a jam packed week, showcasing a wide variety of industry partners who will share information about their organisation, the application process, and tips to help you stand out in your application.

Presenters include:

• Deloitte
• Telstra
• Coles
• Department of Defence
• Victorian Government
• Accenture
• EY
• NBN
• Red Cross
• And Many More!

*To join GradWISE’s Industry Accessibility Week, Register Here!

Eye to The Future of Work

Accessibility and Inclusion Beyond 2020

Blind Citizens Australia will deliver an online interactive workshop that showcases inclusion strategy with real life examples.

Join Blind Citizens Australia to hear what has and hasn’t worked well in developing and delivering an accessible workplace, particularly in light of remote working environments, and participate in a forum where you can ask those questions you’ve always wanted to in a ‘You Can’t Ask That!’ style session.

The Forum Panel

Tuesday, 24^th November 2020. 11:00am – 12:30pm

• Matt O’Kane MBA, Director, Notion Digital Forensics
• Pam Spelling, Service Coordinator-Capacity Building, Brisbane South Disability Service, Uniting Care.
• Jonathon Craig, Policy and Advocacy Intern, Vision 2020
• Janine Sherrard, General Manager Policy, Advocacy and Engagement, Vision 2020

Wednesday, 25th November 2020. 2:00pm – 3:30pm

• Jaci Armstrong, Non-Executive Director at Accessible Arts
• Doug McGinn, Disability Liaison Officer , University of Tasmania
• Colin Clark, Head Student Accessibility and Wellbeing, University of Tasmania

Register NOW!

Register now to obtain new insights and tips to promote positive change within your recruitment process and employee engagement strategy.

Be a part of the inclusion change and generate a new talent pipeline for your organisations continued success.

“Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.”  Verna Myers

This event is funded by the National Disability Insurance Agency, Information, Linkages and Capacity Building program.

• Register today, this event is FREE but limited tickets are available!
• Go to the Registration Page
• If you have any queries, please contact Blind Citizens Australia directly on bca@bca.org.au or 1800 033 660

Special Careers Event for Students Finalising Their Study

From December 7 to 11, Career Connect have arranged a special careers event for students finalising their study.

Monash Career Launch is a week of masterclasses specially designed to help final-year students acquire the skills, knowledge and self-assurance to secure their ideal role.

Featuring a wide range of bespoke workshops and industry panels, this week provides practical advice to students on how to navigate their own employability and job readiness, as well as provide clarity and build confidence when transitioning from education into professional employment.

• For more information about this great student opportunity, go to https://tinyurl.com/y65uf2p5

You’re Invited: Webinar on Career Start Graduate Program at Vision Australia

Vision Australia invites students, tertiary education providers, disability liaison officers and career advisors to our Virtual Careers Information Webinar to better understand their  Career Start Graduate program and long-term career offerings.

The webinar on Monday November 16 from 12.30-1.30pm AEDT will be a chance to hear from previous participants and ask any questions to the program organiser Melissa Rattle and Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton.

Career Start Program

The 12-month Career Start program is for people who are blind or have low vision and allows for an internal placement within a division of Vision Australia and a paid placement (up to three months) with an external employer.

Some of the previous participants have completed paid cadetships and internships at organisations such as Medibank, Channel 31, Seek, Urban List and Bupa – all of which were chosen to match the graduates’ own interests.

• Applications are now open for the 2021 program.
• Please register for the webinar by emailing: careerstart@visionaustralia.org.

2021 Career Start Graduate Program Eligibility

The program is a 12-month opportunity for people who are blind or have low vision and begins in March 2021.

Graduates can expect:

1. An internal placement within a division of Vision Australia; and
2. A paid placement (up to three months) with an external employer

• Candidates must have completed a diploma level or higher in the last four years to be eligible.
• Applications can be found online.
• Candidates will need to complete the application and submit their resume and a cover letter.
• Applications close November 27, 2020.

Vision Australia job opportunities and in-house assistance

For people who are blind or have low vision that don’t meet the qualifications requirements for the program, other opportunities are available at Vision Australia.

Approximately 15 per cent of the Vision Australia workforce is blind or has low vision.

We see it as hugely important to have people with lived experience helping people who are blind, have low vision or are caring for people with eye conditions.

In fact, Vision Australia helps more than 26,000 people each year.

Some of the ways Vision Australia can help:

• Explore suitable career options and create a professional development plan;
• Develop an effective resume, write application letters and address key selection criteria;
• Training to travel independently to and from work;
• Use computers with assistive technology;
• Advocate for job redesign; and
• Identify appropriate employers to directly target (reverse marketing).

Vision Australia also has a vast volunteer program that has allowed people to help and get an idea of potential jobs.

For current job vacancies please visit the Vision Australia website.

For more information please visit: https://www.visionaustralia.org/services/employment-assistance or call 1300 84 74 66.

Work Ready Virtual Experiences Are Now Online

Students can choose from a variety of projects aligned to their field of study or try something new, acquiring experience and insight into the organisation’s processes, culture, and what to expect as a graduate employee.

What’s more, students have the option to gain access to future employment opportunities, as well as additional services such as mentoring programs, information sessions or fast-tracked recruitment processes.

• Take a look at what’s on offer for students at https://tinyurl.com/y6a9g4ed

Paid Internships for Students with Disability – Applications Closing this Sunday!