Graduate Careers AustraliaGraduate Grapevine - Number 7, Autumn 2007Australian Employers Network on DisabilityThe Australian Employers Network on Disability enables its members to change the composition of their workforces so they reflect and include the 17 per cent of the potential workforce that has a disability. The Network’s current membership includes large multinational corporations that operate across the Asia Pacific region, national companies, small enterprises, State and Commonwealth Government departments and universities and educational institutions. At present the Network’s members employ over 250,000 people. One of our member services is the implementation and facilitation of workforce development programs such as the Stepping into Law and Stepping into Banking programs for organisations with specialised workforces. The Stepping into… programs provide a unique opportunity for students with disability to gain valuable experience and develop a network of contacts within their chosen industry. Research shows that in 2006, 82.4 per cent of all graduates were in fulltime employment. However, this figure reduces to 75.2 per cent of bachelor degree graduates who identify themselves as having a disability (Source:Australian Graduate Survey, GCA 2006). The Stepping into… programs operate on an internship model where final year Business and Law students with disability complete four weeks paid work experience during the mid-year semester break. Prestigious organisations such as the ATO, Baker & McKenzie, Freehills, Henry Davis York, Merrill Lynch Investment Bank, the NSW Attorney General’s Department, Sparke Helmore Lawyers, Telstra and UBS AG are all involved in the Stepping into... programs. There is significant competition for placements among students. Australian businesses engage with the Network once they understand the very compelling business case for transforming their workforce to include a high participation rate by people with disability. Network experience has shown that there are two journeys an employer can go on when seeking to provide employment opportunity for people with disability: they may seek to place individuals with disability within their workforces; or they may decide to prepare their businesses from within, developing a sustainable recruitment pipeline so they are confidently recruiting from the entire talent pool, enabling large numbers of people with disability to join their organisations. In a talent-short labour market it is increasingly important for companies to have no barriers to talented people entering the workplace. Retention and reduced turnover, improved worker safety, reduced sick leave and improved employee morale are all benefits gained by including people with disability in the workforce. The tools that the Network provides to members to facilitate the development of ‘disability confidence’ include the following products and services:
The Network’s founding member, Benbro Electronics, has a 35 per cent participation rate by people with disability. The company’s productivity rates and profits go well beyond the industry average and expectations. Benbro provides its employees with exceptional conditions, and has been rewarded by a loyal, productive and satisfied workforce. Benbro Electronics has won the Prime Minister’s Employer of the Year Award several times, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. These factors have contributed to Benbro being a preferred supplier with an enhanced reputation in the business world, both at home and internationally. The costs to the Australian economy of a failure to assist businesses to equitably include people with disability in the workforce are substantial. Government, private enterprise and consultant organisations with expertise and disability confidence each have a role to develop workplaces inclusive of people with disabilities. Organisations that are not evaluating their performance with regards to disability are at risk of being left behind within the next decade – both in terms of the development of a robust and diverse staff and in their customer service to the estimated 19 per cent of the Australian population that has disability. Employers, careers advisors or final year students interested in these programs can contact Mark Lazaroo on (02) 9261 3922 or [email protected] . Further information about the Stepping into… programs can also found on the Network website at www.employersnetworkondisability.com.au . |
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