- Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers
Victorians with disability will have better access to career opportunities through a new sports initiative backed by the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan today visited the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna to announce a $100,000 Jobs Victoria Innovation Fund grant for the Sportswork program, a partnership between Basketball Victoria and ECHO Australia.
The program will help connect people with a disability to meaningful employment opportunities by arming them with new skills, building their confidence and social networks.
It also provides pathways to employment through individual support and job plans, basketball skills development, leadership and career development, as well as connections to employers, including those engaged in the basketball community in Victoria.
Recent research shows there is a demonstrable link between participation in sport and physical activity with increased rates of employment for people with disability.
Basketball Victoria, the largest basketball organisation in Australia, last year had up to 7,500 people involved in its inclusive programs including Wheelchair Basketball and the VicHealth Cup.
The grants are part of the $5 million invested by the Labor Government to create new economic participation opportunities for people with disability under the state's Every opportunity: Victorian economic participation plan for people with disability 2018-2020.
The Labor Government's Jobs Victoria Innovation Fund provides funding to support new and innovative approaches to employment support and the delivery of services for long-term unemployed jobseekers facing barriers.
As stated by Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan
"We want to ensure absolutely everybody benefits from a strong and growing economy, including people with disability.
"We are tearing down employment barriers to help more people with disability to gain meaningful and sustainable career opportunities."
As noted by Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula
"This initiative is a great example of how we can work in partnership with Victorian organisations to bolster innovative new approaches to providing jobs."
