Today, on the International Day of People with Disability, we celebrate the incredible talents and contributions of individuals living with disability. It’s a day to not only raise awareness but to acknowledge the barriers that still exist in the workforce for people with disability and, importantly, the solutions and opportunities that are making a difference.  

One such initiative is the Fast Track to Employment (FTE) program by Jobedge, a unique, tailored approach to supporting participants with disability on their journey to meaningful employment. The program combines the expertise of two key Jobedge Mentors: The Employment Assistance Mentor (EAM) and the Employer Engagement Mentor (EEM). 

The program works by offering personalised job search support and guidance for Jobedge participants that showcase job-ready traits such as a willingness to embrace job opportunities, and an understanding of the value of reentering the workforce.  

In FTE, the job-ready participants engage with their Employer Engagement Mentor for the first time during a collaborative appointment along with the Employment Assistance Mentor, to discuss what types of jobs they’re looking for, what skills they have, and what limitations they may face.

Both Mentors help the participant prepare and gain confidence in job searching by coaching them in cold-calling employers and teaching them how to independently search for jobs. The FTE program also provides essential advice tailored to each participant’s unique needs, ensuring they feel empowered in their job searching journey. 

An essential part of this program is educating local employers on the value of hiring individuals with disability and the contributions they bring to the workplace. The EEMs play a key role in bridging the gap between participants and employers.  

They assist businesses in fostering an inclusive environment by offering awareness training or tailored sessions, supported by the JobDoctors – a team of qualified health professionals from Momenta. These experts collaborate with Jobedge Mentors to provide customised support that drives change and builds confidence for both participants and employers. This ensures that both the employer and the employees are set up for long-term success. 

One of the most powerful examples of the FTE program is the story of Ray. During a routine appointment with his Mentor Mel, participant Ray who had been out of employment for a few years, demonstrated job-ready traits which prompted Mel to fast-track his journey by arranging an on-the-spot FTE appointment with EEM Francy. While Mel prepared Ray for an interview, Francy collaborated with a potential employer Aramex, to secure a job interview for the role of parcel sorting for Ray on the very same day. 

The FTE program also offers tailored workplace support. When Ray disclosed his epilepsy, Francy arranged for Epilepsy Awareness Training for Ray’s team at Aramex. For this, Mel and Francy contacted our Jobedge Doctor, Dr Paul Pers, to provide tailored training for Ray’s team. Dr Paul met with Ray to understand how epilepsy affects Ray, and the support he needed in case of an episode prior to conducting the awareness training with Ray, and his team of 10 at Aramex. 

This training ensured that Ray’s workplace would be a safe and supportive environment. 

This program’s collaborative approach is a shining example of how Jobedge can empower people with disability to thrive in the workforce. On this International Day of People with Disability, we recognise and promote the importance of creating inclusive, supportive workplaces for our participants with disability and helping our employer partners to become disability confident employers. 

As a Disability Employment Services provider, Jobedge helps Ray and Adelaide job seekers like him in finding and keeping meaningful employment opportunities. If you have a disability, injury or illness, and are looking for support, we encourage you to contact our team. 

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