Canberra CareersXpo 2022

The data below was gathered when I attended the Canberra CareersXpo 2022. More reflections from what I found are available in my related blog post.

Group 1: Specific education and services for disabled/neurodivergent people that provide assistance and/or training relating to employment

Group 2: Career Pathways for disabled/neurodivergent people

Group 3: Services that are good to know about more generally

Group 4: Options that help everyone but don’t necessarily target disabled/neurodivergent people.

* Indicates that current or former staff/students include neurodivergent people. This statement is deliberately vague to protect privacy and refers to Autistic, ADHD and/or dyslexic persons, or neurodivergence that was not specified.

Group 1: Specific education and services for disabled/neurodivergent people that provide assistance and/or training relating to employment

Name	Description	Notes
Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE) *	Australia's most awarded 3D animation, game design and visual FX educator	run courses for their teachers on how to teach and support neurodivergent students can provide flexibility on deadlines for assessment study is competency based rather than pass/fail
Australian Capital Training Institute (ACTI) *	Provides nationally recognised training specialising in the beauty industry	support applicants with individual needs and tailor program to suit may be less suited to those with physical disabilities due to requirements of work (such as massage therapy)
Employ for Ability *	Provides managers and neurotypical staff with neurodiversity training and coaching. Provides neurodivergent people with employment coaching.	employee communication program supporting Autistic people develop communication skills relating to employment includes skills with writing resumes, emails, and other written communication also works directly with employers and managers with training on neurodiversity and working with neurodivergent staff helps to remove barriers in the recruitment process
Matchworks	Disability employment services	employment support services for disabled people assist with development of employment skills provide link to employers who value diversity can assist with work clothing, licences, interview clothing and transport to job interviews
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) *	Provides education and training in the performing arts	adjust their training programs to support individual disability needs example provided of adjusting scripts (font, colour of paper) to support dyslexic students
St Mark’s College, Adelaide *	University residential college (majority of students live on campus)	takes a bespoke approach to support individual needs student intake form requests information on disability and/or medical needs work closely with students to ensure their accommodation meets specific needs and will readily adjust these to ensure a good fit
The Personnel Group	Disability employment services	employment support services for disabled people and those with a mental health condition assist with development of employment skills can provide on the job training on-going support is available for as long as is needed
Workways Australia	Offers support to disabled jobseekers and to disabled workers who need support with their employment	Disability Management Services – for those disabled or with illness or injury that need help getting employment (short term support) Employment Support Services – for permanently disabled people that need ongoing support in the workplace have funding that can contribute towards the cost of workplace modifications/accommodations for disabled workers

Group 2: Career Pathways for disabled/neurodivergent people

Name	Description	Notes
Services Australia *	Aurora Neurodiversity Program offers professional development and work experience opportunities in the Australian Public Service	the Aurora Program is a specific intake process for Autistic workers Specialisterne Australia runs their intake rounds to ensure applicants are well supported work is undertaken to not only recruit but retain Autistic Workers interviews and feedback from staff who have gone through the program is readily available online and is overwhelmingly positive
ACT Government Public Service	ACTPS employs people across a wide range of city services	there are a number of identified positions within the ACTPS for disabled people publicly available people with a disability employment framework working from home supported and encouraged where appropriate for the role

Group 3: Services that are good to know about more generally

Name	Description	Notes
Young Workers Centre	The Young Workers Centre provides free information, assistance and referrals for workers in the ACT aged under 25	for all workers in the ACT aged under 25 promote awareness of rights and safety in the workplace, including the right to a safe workplace that is free of bullying & harassment they are supported by UnionsACT
ACT Human Rights Commission	promotes the human rights and well-being of all Canberrans	has role checking ACT laws are human rights compliant, including those impacting disabled people can assist with issues in the workplace in which a disabled person has experienced discrimination

Group 4: Options that help everyone but don’t necessarily target disabled/neurodivergent people.

Name	Description	Notes
Apprenticeship Careers Australia	employs apprentices and trainees	can provide assistance to applicants with resume writing and employment skills connected with school programs that can provide work experience opportunities to trial whether a working environment is a good fit
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)	champions and empowers women in the construction industry	work experience opportunities to trial whether a working environment is a good fit
Australian Defence Force (ADF)	The ADF runs the Cyber Gap program that provides financial support in the cyber security field	mentoring offered from ADF cyber specialists no obligation to serve in the ADF financial support available to those studying cyber security