The Office of the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment has developed a new Traineeship Program for People with a Disability. The Traineeship Program offers fully funded award wages and allowances to trainees, and other incentives to participating agencies with the objective of increasing the job outcomes for people with a disability. Employment of people with a disability can contribute to the effectiveness of service delivery to our diverse communities.

This exciting initiative is sponsored by the Office of the Public Trustee, the Motor Accidents Authority, and the Commonwealth Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business, the Vocation Education and Training Board, and by the Office of the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment.

At the end of the traineeship, the trainee will have a nationally accredited qualification. Graduate Trainees are appointed to a permanent position within the host employer. The host employer gains a new employee who is specifically trained and capable of meeting its workforce requirements. There is a target to fill 30 traineeship positions in the first year. The NSW Department of Education and Training will administer the Program. Traineeships are also be targeted to Aboriginal people with a disability.

Chief Executives can set up Traineeships by forwarding their nominations to the Industry Programs unit in the Department of Education and Training 8 October this year. Trainees will commence work early in 2002. Guidelines and nomination forms can be obtained from the Program Manager, Dennis McDermott, on (02) 9266 8405, or
email: [email protected] .

I strongly urge Chief Executives to participate in this exciting new initiative.

C Gellatly
Director General