Disability Transition Program

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:01): My question is to the Minister for Human Services about a program that supports students living with a disability. Can the minister please provide an update to the council about the work of Barkuma's disability Transition Program in supporting South Australian students?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (15:01): I thank the honourable member for her question. It was my great pleasure on Wednesday 14 November to represent my colleague the Minister for Education at the Barkuma Transition Program graduation at the Convention Centre, and can I acknowledge that the member for Port Adelaide, Ms Susan Close, was there representing the Labor Party, as was Mr Kevin Scarce, who is a Barkuma patron.

The disability Transition Program has been in operation for over 10 years and supports metropolitan Adelaide students from three schooling sectors to complete their SACE and make effective transitions from school to the workforce, a traineeship, apprenticeship or further education. Some 100 students accessed the program in 2018. The program is managed through the further education and pathways directorate within the Department for Education, System Performance division, which is currently contracted to Barkuma Incorporated.

The program enables eligible students, generally in their final year of schooling, to participate in the program for one day a week for the year in an adult learning environment outside of their school; participate in a semester of career development, including developing a transition plan which identifies their strengths, interests and goals; participate in small group work and individual career counselling; build their employability skills through a Certificate I in Access to Vocational Pathways; undertake a specific VET course related to their transition goals in semester 2; and participate in a two-week supported work placement that links with their pathway choice or register with a disability employment service while still at school to ensure a seamless transition to employment.

There were a number of outstanding students with their families, teachers and supporters at the event. It was a very vibrant evening. As one of the last speakers on the agenda, I felt like I was getting between them and receiving their awards. They also heard from somebody who had participated in My Kitchen Rules, which was clearly very entertaining for them. In 2018, the program particularly focused on building work readiness and life skills.

Students had undertaken a Certificate I in Access to Vocational Pathways in an adult learning environment, which helped them to build a career, learn about different types of jobs and industries, visit different workplaces, learn interview skills and résumé writing, know their rights at work and engage in career counselling. In the second semester, students selected a VET course of interest in areas including hospitality, construction, hair and beauty, creative industries, retail and animal studies.

They then selected a disability employment service to support their transition from school and undertake work experience, with support from their provider. We heard from a couple of the participating students, who had clearly grown a huge amount in their time and through their experience. It was a very heartening event to attend. The only thing for me of the night which was a disappointment was that my pair was rejected from the Labor Party grinch-in-chief, the Labor Party Whip, who—

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: You got there, though.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Well, I got there late because the debate that evening in this place completed at about 6.15pm. I had negotiated with them to get there at a particular time and I was running a little bit late, so that was the disappointment. I hope that this is not a continuing practice of the Labor opposition to deny ministers—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Members, feel free this afternoon to leave the chamber and have a discussion about pairs. Minister, this is going well off the track. I will pull you up for relevance.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Certainly, Mr President, but I think it is important that the community understands what is taking place and why ministers are not being able to attend events, which are clearly within the purview of our community duties. I do wish the students well. I think it's a shame that the grinch-in-chief opposite believes that it is appropriate to deny people pairs to attend community events but, in any case, we will wish him a merry Christmas in due course.