VSA symposium highlights disability, VET reform and inclusive workplaces

The Victorian Skills Authority (VSA) recently hosted the third and final event in the Summer Symposium Series. The theme - disability, vocational education and training (VET) and the workplace - brought together people with lived experience, leaders, educators, advocates and industry to explore what genuine disability inclusion looks like across the skills and employment ecosystem.

The event included keynote presentations from people who spoke about the importance of sector-wide collaboration and action, involving people with lived experience in policy and program development, and breaking down barriers to ensure inclusion and diversity in the workplace.

The VSA’s Chief Executive Officer Craig Robertson opened the day by calling for stronger sector-wide collaboration and action, setting the tone for the day and conversations ahead.

Tammy Corless from The Gordon’s Centre of Excellence in Disability Inclusion delivered an engaging keynote presentation on how co-creation and co-design can reshape organisations when lived experience guides the work. Members of the Gordon’s Co-Creation team provided their lived experience about the benefits of co-creation and prompted attendees to take a step towards embedding inclusion.

Speakers from RMIT, the Disability Advocacy Resource Unit and the Australian Disability Network highlighted ongoing systemic barriers across TAFE and industry, and how to drive inclusion and equity, prompting participants to reflect on priorities and actions for change.

A deep dive into industry supports for people with disability, led by Professor Jo Ingold from the Australian Catholic University’s and Dr Jenny Crosbie from the Centre of Inclusive Employment - supported by perspectives from Swinburne University and W Melbourne - offered practical, real-world examples of what inclusion can look like on the ground.

The symposium concluded with a powerful lived experience presentation by Rebecca Hope from Amaze who spoke about the importance of designing pathways that support people with disability to succeed across education, training and employment. Rebecca reinforced that assumptions don’t benefit individuals, rather a person-centred approach benefits people both in TAFE and the workforce.

Events like this reinforce that disability inclusion is essential to building an accessible and equitable workforce.

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