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National Disability Insurance Scheme providers will benefit from an industry-first shared training resource that can be used across the disability sector, launched in Cairns today.
The NDIS Workforce Fundamentals Micro-credential, funded by the Queensland Government and developed by WorkAbility Qld and TAFE Queensland, was launched to statewide NDIS providers at the Cairns Disability Providers Network meeting (DPN).
Launching the Micro-credential on the eve of International Day for People with Disability, Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the project demonstrates innovation and collaboration in the disability services industry.
Video 1: (Click to view) Ministers Farmer and Minister Craig Crawford
“The Micro-credential has been designed with NDIS providers and people with lived experience of disability, for workers supporting NDIS participants,” Minister Farmer said.
“It is free, accessible, flexible, and contemporary training designed to support one of Queensland’s fastest growing industries.
“I encourage NDIS providers of all sizes to use this online resource to build a stronger, sustainable, and more aligned NDIS workforce that meets the needs of NDIS participants.”
Disability Services Minister Craig Crawford said the training resource was funded as part of the Queensland Government’s $5.5 million Micro-credentialling Pilots Program.
“In the Brisbane and Robina NDIS service districts alone, there are $2.93 billion of funded supports committed in current NDIS plans,’’ Mr Crawford said.
“This has driven an increase of more than 16,789 additional workers in the region’s disability sector over the past 12 months.”
He said the pilot program focuses on developing and delivering non-accredited micro-credentials that meet industry and stakeholder needs.
These micro-credentials complement the Queensland Government’s NDIS Training and Skills Support Strategy, an industry-led approach to developing a quality workforce, and represents a $5 million investment for targeted training, support and workforce development activities.
WorkAbility Qld representative Belinda Drew said the Micro-credential is a shared training resource, that aims to be portable across the disability services sector as a consistent approach to training.
“This product has been developed with extensive consultation undertaken with employers, industry experts and consultants with lived experience to identify mandatory and common induction training requirements – specifically those in-demand priority skills around NDIS service delivery and worker knowledge required to support NDIS participants,” she said.
TAFE Queensland’s Chief Executive Officer Mary Campbell said TAFE Queensland is excited to join with WorkAbility Qld to offer industry a modern learning solution to address skills gaps and help train expanding workforces.
“Micro-credentials offer shorter e-learning opportunities that provide learners with a digital certification or a ‘digital badge’ when complete. This new learning concept continues to gain recognition and is highly sought after within professional landscapes,” Mrs Campbell said.
“The NDIS Workforce Fundamentals Micro-credential is a highly interactive online course and uses innovative methods to engage learners in real-world stories relevant to supporting an NDIS participant.
“It covers topics such as professional boundaries, communication and interpersonal skills, and introduces workers to cultural sensitivity and cross-cultural communication amongst other essential and important topics.
“The course is delivered flexibly, meaning students can complete it at their own pace, at any online location such as home computer, tablet or mobile device,” she said.
Access the NDIS Workforce Fundamentals Micro-credential.
Read more about the Micro-Credential Pilot Program
Main Picture: Dave Conway features in the micro-credential as a consultant and NDIS self managed who employs his workers.
Video 1: Ministers Farmer and Minister Craig Crawford launch the micro-credential on the eve of International Day of People with Disability.
Video 2: WorkAbility CEO Belinda Drew celebrates the launch of the micro credential.
Picture 2: A student completing the NDIS Workforce Fundamentals micro credential.
Picture 3: Members of the Advisory Group at the Cairns DPN Meeting.today L-R Asher Meadows (formerly Life Without Barriers), Ben Keast (ARC Disability Services), Kirsty Lamperd (Disability Matters), Carrie De Brueys (Tablelands Community Link) and Mandy Nielson (Real Living Options).
Picture 4: ARC Disability Services CEO Ben Keast and TAFE Queensland Chief Academic Officer Jo Pyne celebrate Industry innovation through learning at the Cairns DPN Meeting.
Further information please contact:
Fay Whittaker Tel: 07 3180 1360 E: [email protected]
