Willing and Able Mentoring (WAM) Program for TAFE NSW Students with Disabilities

The Willing and Able Mentoring (WAM) Program is a new initiative that all TAFE students with a disability can be involved in. The Program matches TAFE students who have a disability with mentors in leading organisations. The organisations are chosen based on your areas of interest.

The WAM Program provides approximately eight 1 to 2 hour discussion meetings with the employer mentor during Semester 2 of the given year. During these meetings strategies focused on are:

• gathering information about the career environment you are heading towards
• refining interview skills
• experiencing the workplace culture (e.g. staff meetings)
• developing better skills in presenting a professional profile
• disclosure and demystifying disability and related workplace issues (e.g. workplace modifications)

The WAM program is a great opportunity for you to enhance your personal and professional strategies (e.g. networking skills) and enable you to become more competitive in that challenging transition from study to career.

For further information about WAM, talk with the TAFE Disability Teacher Consultant or the Counselling and Careers Service at your TAFE NSW Institute or refer to the WAM website.

	John was in his final year of a Diploma of Accounting at TAFE when he accessed the WAM Program. He accessed the Program through the TAFE Disability Teacher Consultant. John has a vision impairment. John was placed with a mentor in the finance area of a federal government department. During the eight mentoring sessions at his mentor's workplace, John learned a lot about the different professional roles he could perform with his qualifications. Most importantly, he felt his mentor was invaluable in developing his job application and interview skills. He currently has part-time work as an Accountant and is looking for additional work.

Get Skilled Programmes

If you are currently registered as being unemployed, there are a number of courses available that can assist you to develop skills in work areas where there are job vacancies. The government identifies skills shortages and funds the training to help unemployed people move straight into the workforce.

To be able to access these courses, you need to be registered with Centrelink as being unemployed. The courses offered vary across TAFE Institutes, based on the skill shortage areas identified within each local region. The courses offered are generally at Certificate I or II levels.

The Get Skilled Programme is a great resource if you are unemployed and need additional training and skills to access employment. However the Get Skilled Program does not provide disability information or support related to employment.

To find out more about Get Skilled Programmes in your local area:

• speak with the Counselling and Careers Service at your local TAFE or
• speak with a Course Information Officer at your local TAFE or
• look at your local TAFE Institute website or
• contact your local Centrelink Customer Service Centre: Telephone 13 2717

Post Course Placement

The Post Course Placement Service is offered by individual TAFE Institutes that run Get Skilled Programmes. The Service is primarily for students who have completed a Get Skilled course however other TAFE students may be able to access this, depending on demand and funding.

The Service provides pre-employment training and support to access employment. Specifically, a Placement Officer will assist you in job seeking such as:

• developing job seeking/career goals
• providing job seeking advice and support
• proving information about job opportunities
• developing or re-writing your resume
• preparing application letters for jobs
• developing interview techniques.

To find out more about a Post Course Programme in your local area:

• speak with the Counselling and Careers Service at your local TAFE or
• speak with a Course Information Officer at your local TAFE or
• speak with your local TAFE Disabilities Teacher Consultant or
• look at your local TAFE Institute website.

TAFE Libraries

There are TAFE NSW libraries at most campuses. They can be a great resource for finding information and obtaining materials regarding employment opportunities. Your TAFE card is also your library card which allows you to borrow from the library and use their resources.

TAFE NSW libraries allow you, as a TAFE student, to access their resources such as computers, internet access, books, magazines and newspapers which can be of great assistance when you are looking for work

For further information about TAFE NSW Libraries or to obtain location details and websites, refer to the TAFE NSW website.

Local Industry Contacts Linked to Courses

Many local employers form strong links with their local TAFE Institute, in particular with the courses that would be specific to their industry. Employers may contact course coordinators when they have job opportunities available.

Course coordinators can therefore be a great resource in learning about the industry providers in the local area, supportive employers and possible job opportunities.