School to Work – Introductory Webinars for secondary school students with a disability and their families.

This webinar, the second in the Finding Work series, will provide your secondary student and family with an opportunity to stop and consider what work is; why it’s important and why it should not be dismissed as unachievable for people with disability. Practical steps and tips will be offered including starting early and looking to your community and connections for opportunities to get started. Exploration of a variety of pathways through senior school years and to work are discussed including linking an NDIA support plan goal to employment.

This webinar also highlights the importance of reviewing each work experience; what your student liked/ disliked and why. The option of creating your own work role through customised employment will be discussed, as will developing a ‘positive pitch’ for an employer. Certificates, Apprenticeships and Internships are also examined.

The webinar will include live Q&A.

About the Webinar:

This webinar will cover:

Exploring what work is and why it is important
The benefits of starting now
Working out what you would like to do? – review interests, passions and strengths
Experiencing and sampling work
An introduction to school pathways
Employment goals in NDIA support plans
Reviewing each work experience
Customised employment
Examining Certificates, Apprenticeships and Internships.

About the Presenters:

Gina Barwell-Pickup started at CRU in August 2020 as a consultant in the ‘School to Work’ project. Since studying business at university, Gina has held a broad range of roles in a variety of industries including hotels, education and in State government and small business. Additional experience in recruitment will equip her well to assist students to get ready for work. Gina is passionate about the value of employment for people with disability and is currently supporting her own teenager on this journey.

Jen Mouritz joined CRU in July 2015 as part of the team working on the NDIS Participant readiness project. Since 2018 Jen has worked at CRU as a general consultant. Last year she was involved in the Families for Inclusive Education project. Jen’s introduction to this work started about 15 years ago. Since then she has worked directly with people with a disability and their families using self-directed approaches to support. This has included providing support for people in the workplace. Jen has also worked as a teacher in mainstream and special school settings in learning support and as a secondary school art teacher.

Who Should Attend?

This webinar is for secondary school students with disabilities and their families. Supporters and allies are also welcome to attend. This particular webinar has been designed for Years 11 & 12. Other webinars are being currently offered for Years 7 & 8 and Years 9 &10.

What do I need to participate?

Using online platforms to hold events is still fairly new to CRU. We will be using the video meeting platform Zoom to host the webinar.

You will need access to:

a computer or iPad/tablet or smart phone with internet access;
speakers/sound

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your ability to participate.

About CRU:

For over 30 years, Community Resource Unit has been working across Queensland to help people with disability take control of their lives and take their place in their community.

CRU (QLD), Resourcing Inclusive Communities, an initiative of Family Advocacy (NSW) and Imagine More (ACT) will work together on a new three year project called ‘School to Work’.

'School to Work’ aims to inspire, increase confidence and motivate students with disability to seek and find meaningful employment with the help and support of their family and community.

The project is being provided as part of the Community Inclusion Capacity Development program through The Department of Social Services.