The State Government and National Disability Services WA (NDS WA) have launched a campaign to attract more young people into the disability services sector and to meet the demand for workers created by Western Australia’s transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The full roll-out of the NDIS across WA is expected to require an additional 10,000 people in the workforce to meet the service demand created by NDIS-funded plans.
The Department of Communities is working with NDS WA, the Department of Training and Workforce Development and other agencies to meet the increased demand.
With approximately 25 per cent of all participants in the NDIS aged under 25 years, the campaign aims to attract a workforce more suited and attuned to younger people with disability.
The start of the campaign features two young people with disability on outings with support workers of a similar age, one attending a film screening at a cinema and the other enjoying lunch at a pub.
The campaign has been funded by the Department of Communities and will be delivered by NDS WA, with guidance during development from a steering committee with representatives from the Youth Affairs Council WA, the Youth Disability Advocacy Network, Activ, Avico and Uniting WA.
“Attracting new workers to the disability sector is a key part of the State Government’s forward planning and preparations to meet the workforce needs of the NDIS in Western Australia.” said Stephen Dawson, Minister of Disability Services.
“With around a quarter of all people with disability in WA aged 25 years and under, it’s pretty important that we increase the number of workers in the sector who are closer to their age.”
