First graduates complete pilot vocational program at Minda
Five clients have graduated Minda’s new vocational pathway pilot, building work-readiness skills, confidence and independence through a nationally recognised qualification.
In a first for South Australia’s largest intellectual disability provider Minda, five clients have graduated this week from a new pilot program offering them a pathway into accredited vocational education.
The graduates completed a Certificate I in Access to Vocational Pathways, delivered through Minda’s Forward Steps MyPath Day Options Program in partnership with the South Australian Learning Centre (SALC).
The pilot was designed to equip participants living with an intellectual disability with practical work-readiness skills, confidence and foundational capabilities that support future employment, further training and greater independence.
Minda Chief Executive Dr David Panter says this person-centred approach, enabled every learner the space to flourish in their own way.
“This pilot program has demonstrated how nationally recognised vocational education can be delivered in an accessible and inclusive way, giving participants meaningful opportunities to build skills aligned with their individual goals,” Dr Panter says.
“Watching these participants build confidence and independence over the course has been genuinely rewarding, and it’s a strong foundation for what this program could become.”
One of the program’s first graduates, Marcus, says the course has given him confidence in his future.
“I’m really happy I finished my course. I’ve learnt to be on time, talk to people, work in a team, solve problems and do things by myself,” he says.
“I’m excited to use my skills at work one day. My dream is to work at Bunnings.”
SALC Lead Trainer Daniel Cassar said seeing participants develop these skills at their own pace, and on their own terms, is what this course is about.
“Delivering a nationally recognised qualification in a way that’s accessible takes careful design, and this partnership with Minda has let us do exactly that,” he says.
The Certificate I in Access to Vocational Pathways focuses on the foundation skills needed for future learning, workplace participation and everyday life. Throughout the course, students progressively build their abilities across key areas, including:
- Understanding their own strengths and abilities
- Planning and organising tasks
- Reading workplace signs, schedules and instructions
- Developing practical numeracy and measurement skills
- Building digital literacy
- Improving communication and teamwork
- Working more independently
- Responding to feedback and solving simple problems
- Developing confidence, personal effectiveness and workplace readiness.
As a pilot, the program has the potential to become an ongoing offering for future cohorts of young people attending Forward Steps MyPath Day Options Program.
For more information visit www.SALC.training