Disability ‘jobs boom’ set for region

The disability sector will create over 1200 jobs in the Barwon region over the next three years, according to a new report.
The impact of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) would also double the number of people working in the sector around Victoria, said the report by the NDIS’s administration agency.
The jobs boom in the Barwon region, where the NDIS had been under trail since July 2013, would “drive demand for a more diverse range of jobs than people usually expect”, said the scheme’s state manager, David Moody.
“The disability sector offers the kind of flexibility, support and job satisfaction that many people are now looking for in a fulfilling career,” Mr Moody said.
“The disability sector offers a broad range of career choices, from speech pathologists and occupational therapists to drivers, gardeners and IT professionals.
“The person-centric service delivery model for the NDIS will mean an even greater mix of jobs on offer, as people with disability choose for themselves the type of support that best suits them. In addition to the desire to participate in the workforce, their broader goals can encompass everything from cooking, social events, travelling to sailing.
“Students and young people, return-to-work parents and career changers will play a vital role in filling job vacancies and providing high-quality support services in the future.
“I urge anyone looking for a job or a career-change to explore the exciting range of work and the meaningful careers available in the disability care sector.”