Link to...Employment
A program committed to success James Megalakakis left school at the end of Year 11 after losing interest in study. Having earlier been diagnosed with Aspergers, he was unsure what his future held. Glaxo Smith Kline – that were running integrated work placement programs that culminated in meaningful jobs. Davis designed and implemented the program at Holmesglen. She told Link the course has wider benefits than what it means for the students and their families. “It changes perceptions in industry around disability. It opens people’s eyes around diversity and inclusion and what value people bring to workplaces if they are given a bit of support.” Students spend Term 1 on campus and then undertake three nine-week work placements of 20 hours a week. Formal training takes place each day and they are assigned a mentor teacher.
James Megalakakis
W
hile he found various jobs, he didn’t really enjoy the experience. However, he came across a pilot program being run at Holmesglen Institute specifically for people with a cognitive impairment, a physical disability or both. That was three years ago, and James has not looked back. Some 70 students have now graduated from the Certificate 1 in Work Education at Holmesglen, with the vast majority finding a job or deciding to do further study. Key to its success is the national award-winning Integrated Practical Placement (IPP) program. Holmesglen Institute’s industry partners are the Royal Children’s Hospital, the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Active Monash.
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Of the 10 students who completed the pilot program in 2018, eight found work. Six months later, all eight were still in the same jobs. Even now, the retention rate sits at 70 per cent. The Federal Government has provided funding for Holmesglen to expand this unique course into two TAFEs in regional Victoria and two in metropolitan Melbourne. Jan Davis is the program’s driving force. A former schoolteacher, she was increasingly concerned about the diminishing job opportunities for people with a disability. After being awarded a research fellowship in 2016, Davis spent a month in London visiting five organisations - Charing Cross Hospital, Hounslow City Council, L’Oreal, Sofitel Hotel Heathrow, and
According to Davis, if a student has an auditory processing problem, the mentors work with the managers to learn how to communicate to get the best out of the student. “The same goes with students with any disability.” WISE Disability Employment Service also provides an employment coach who gives on-site support and after graduation students register with Wise to be supported in finding jobs. James did his work placement at the Royal Children’s Hospital and has been there ever since and has gone on to further study in health services assistance. Since 2018, Holmesglen’s enrolments of people with a disability have jumped 80 per cent, an extra 247 people, according to figures from Victoria’s Department of Education and Training. For details about the Certificate 1 in Work Education visit: holmesglen.edu. au or call: 1300 639 888.
