Disability employers can nominate workers to receive accredited training as part of government-funded earn-and-learn programs before recruitment ends on 30 June. 

Run by the Workforce Innovation and Development Institute at RMIT, the Skills in Employment Project (SkiP) and Higher Apprenticeship and Traineeship Social Services Extension (HATSSEP) projects are designed to stimulate workforce growth and development in disability and aged care. The projects are a three-way partnership, bringing together the employer, the employee and RMIT, the lead training and assessment provider. 

SkiP and HATSSEP target different areas of the workforce. SkiP focuses on providers who need to fill funded vacancies for new support workers in disability or aged care. HATSSEP upskills and qualifies the existing workforce.  

Workforce and Employment Growth: Skills in Employment Project 

SkiP is based on a concurrent earn-and-learn delivery model, where workers receive on-the-job training while studying towards a Certificate IV in Disability or Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing). There is an integrated two-week pre-service induction program, supported by Workplace Mentors. All workers in this program gain an accredited qualification during employment.  

To be eligible for this program, workers must: 

• have a minimum 12-month fixed-term or permanent contract 
• meet the priority industry group requirements (for example, be long-term unemployed, have a disability, or come from other disadvantaged or underserviced community) 
• be released for training one day a week. (It is important to note that these six hours must be paid by the employer. Please contact WIDI if this is not feasible, since there is financial assistance available.) 
• meet the visa restrictions for the project. 

In the last phase of the project, SkiP will also consider existing employees from priority groups that started working in the sector after July 2021 who would like to or are already undertaking a 26-week Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) or a 26-week Certificate IV in Disability. 

Workforce Capability Development: Higher Apprenticeship and Traineeship Social Services Extension Project (HATSSEP) 

Also based on a concurrent earn-and-learn training model, HATSSEP supports existing workers employed in the disability sector to gain a Certificate IV in Disability or an Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management. All workers in this program gain an accredited qualification during employment. 

With no further requirements to be part of this program, HATSSEP is an excellent opportunity for workers to get their Certificate IV in Disability before they complete a Certificate III Disability as a pre-requisite. Furthermore, a free Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management is also available for those with a solid knowledge of management in the sector.  

Please note that there are no costs involved with any of these qualifications, so it is up to you and the employee to determine how to best manage study time and course leave. More information for employees and employers on these projects can be found on the WIDI website.  

If you are interested in participating in the SkiP or HATSSEP programs, please contact Lesley Bridge (lesley.bridge@rmit.edu.au) or Megan McGill (megan.mcgill2@rmit.edu.au).  

Project recruitment finishes on 30 June, so get in quick!