New career start for graduates with a disability
August 28, 2009
Graduates with a disability who are experiencing difficulty obtaining work have a new helping hand!
ECG (Education Centre Gippsland) is offering a new free support program called ‘Career Start’ funded by the Victorian Government’s Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development.
ECG Career Start Coordinator Aivars Liepaskalns said people with a disability or mental illness who have graduated from a certificate 3 level course or higher may be eligible to receive Career Start assistance.
“The program is tailored to suit each participant providing support including career assessments, counselling, job search training, tailored marketing, mentor support and to help participants maintain employment.”
The first Career Start graduate to gain employment through the program is Morwell’s Kate Shields who has been employed by ECG in a receptionist role as well as coordinator of its Public Internet Access program
“Kate is a great example of a person who has been keen to get back into work but found it difficult to obtain employment after being out of the workforce for 12 months because of illness.”
Kate said it was great to get back into the workforce again.
“It has increased my confidence and given me a new start. I hope to build my hours and my skills.”
Mr Liepaskalns said some people may acquire a disability or illness that prevents them from continuing to work in a particular career field.
“Career Start may help them to take the step to find an alternative career area or obtain work for the first time.It can also help them when they do find work providing them with ongoing support through the employment transition.”
He said ECG had an excellent track record for delivering disability employment related programs having recently achieved the highest performance rating among service providers in this region,
“We have had really good outcomes getting people with disabilities into work through the Disability Employment Network (DEN) program over the past 18 months and we hope to achieve similar positive outcomes with this new Career Start program.”
“ECG is contacting education providers across the region to alert students with disabilties that support is available to them.”
People need to contact ECG directly if they wish to access Career Start assistance by phoning ECG on 5133 0690 or visit ECG’s Morwell office at 19-21 Church Street, Morwell.
For further information contact:
Aivars Liepaskalns
Career Start Co-Ordinator,
(03) 5133 0690
(03) 5134 3014
19-21 Church St
Morwell 3840