Not many 17-year-olds get to speak at Parliament House , but for Matthew Blakemore of Point Clare that became a reality when he was invited to Canberra to speak at the NDIS Jobs and Skills Forum hosted by Minister for the NDIS, Bill Shorten, on August 17.
Matthew addressed the summit on his successful transition from school to full-time paid employment.
The Australian Federation of Disability Organisation (AFDO) provided full sponsorship for Matthew to attend, along with a person to accompany him.
AFDO CEO, Ross Joyce, said Matthew’s attendance was important.
“We ensured he could attend to keep autism front and centre as autism is the largest participant group within the NDIS,” Joyce said.
The forum kicked off with a welcome dinner at Parliament House on August 16, attended by Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese.
The following day, Matthew spoke of his positive employment experiences with Next Level Inclusion and McDonald’s Kincumber and of his new position at a Central Coast stone masonry.
A keen sportsperson who qualified at State representation level for shot put and discus, he spoke of how sport has assisted him with work skills.
“Playing sports you have to work with a team, be on time and be competitive to be successful and that is what I take to my work,” he told the forum.
The forum was held in the lead up to the Prime Minister’s National Jobs and Skills Summit, to take place on September 1 and 2.
At the forum, NDIS participants, their families, providers, disability organisations, the wider disability sector, and unions came together to talk about employment and disability.
“Growing NDIS jobs and skills is a crucial piece in addressing Australia’s shared economic challenges,” Shorten said.
“This forum will support immediate actions and opportunities to help the Albanese Government shape the future of Australia’s labour market.
“In order for the NDIS to thrive, innovation needs to follow the voices of people with disability.
“Whether that be innovation on how worker conditions can change, to make sure the best and brightest are looking after people with disability or perhaps it is innovation for employers on how can make their workplaces better by hiring people with disability.
“COVID exposed the fault lines in disability workforce planning.
“We need to listen to people with disability and workers to ensure NDIS is an attractive career, so people with disability receive high quality support when they need it.”
Newly appointed Chair of the NDIS Joint Standing Committee, Libby Coker, said she was looking forward to working with Shorten to improve outcomes for people with disability.
“The forum is a great opportunity to re-engage with NDIS participants, their families, carers and disability workers to understand their perspective and work towards solutions,” Coker said.
Experiences and ideas from the NDIS Jobs Forum will feed into the Prime Minister’s National Jobs and Skills Summit to inform the Employment White Paper.
Terry Collins
