WITH skilled disability support workers in high demand and expected to be for some time, Central West disability service provider Vivability is getting on the front foot.
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Vivability CEO Nick Packham said he had noticed a demand for extra service and a more person-centred approach for clients since the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was launched nationally on July 1, 2016.
“In response to this, we have made an ongoing yearly commitment for 10 staff to complete a Certificate IV in Community Services at TAFE NSW Bathurst to help close the current skills gap,” he said.
“I’m really passionate about assisting clients and staff to meet their goals and helping to develop staff to be leaders in the sector.”
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Vivability provides services, including respite and carer support and help with independent living skills, for people with disability and their carers in Bathurst, Lithgow, the Upper Blue Mountains and surrounds.
Vivability support worker Sarah Matthews, who has worked as a teacher for 17 years, is enjoying learning new skills to work with people with specific needs.
“The course is teaching me how to communicate better with clients, legal and ethical requirements and how to empower clients,” she said.
“Being able to carry out day-to-day tasks means so much to our clients and I want to learn all that I can to make things easier for them.”
Passionate about assisting clients and staff to meet their goals.
- Vivability CEO Nick Packham
Vivability support workers Greg Davis and Brad Hargans say they sometimes get more out of their work than the clients.
“I want to give 100 per cent to my job and the excellent TAFE NSW training is helping me go that extra mile. I’m so grateful for the trust that Vivability has in us to do our jobs,” Mr Davis said.
Mr Hargans said he had worked in many industries “and it’s refreshing to have so much support and encouragement from your employer”.
“If I won lotto tomorrow, I’d still be working here,” he said.
The Certificate IV in Community Services is one of many courses that have been tailored by TAFE NSW to target the specific skills required by businesses and organisations.
To find out more about TAFE NSW customised training, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.
