Advancing Disability Employment Through Customised Employment Training

The?Customised Employment Program?offered by the Centre for Disability Employment Research and Practice (CDERP) is an internationally accredited course tailored to the needs of Disability Employment Professionals. Rooted in the principles of Customised Employment and Discovery, this program is designed to transform employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. It equips participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to foster meaningful, person-centred employment.?

This program is certified by the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE), the globally recognised standard for Customised Employment training. As the only Customised Employment program accredited outside the USA, CDERP’s offering is a trailblazer. It reflects international best practices while contextualising the content to align with Australian legislation, policies, and funding structures. With a commitment to accessibility and excellence, this 40-hour training provides a comprehensive learning experience enhanced by practical support and mentoring beyond the classroom.

Program Highlights

The course covers the entire Customised Employment process, from Discovery to Post-Placement Support and Service Provider Change initiatives. Delivered through interactive modules, it provides a deep dive into critical topics such as job development, self-employment, social capital, and self-advocacy. Practical exercises, quizzes, and mentoring sessions ensure that participants can translate theoretical knowledge into actionable strategies.?

Additionally, participants gain insights into the development of Customised Employment in the USA, drawing from CDERP’s collaboration with Griffin Hammis Associates—pioneers in the field for over four decades. This global perspective, combined with a localised focus, ensures that learners are prepared to address the unique challenges of supporting individuals with disabilities in diverse employment contexts.?

Key Features of the Course

1. Comprehensive Learning Framework: The course is structured around 12 detailed lessons, covering over 90 topics, including Discovery, job development, employer engagement, and post-placement support. Participants will access rich learning materials, including videos, digital workbooks, and templates.
2. Accredited and Customised Training: As the only ACRE-certified program outside the USA, the course ensures that participants are equipped with competencies that meet global standards while addressing Australia’s specific needs.
3. Flexible Delivery Modes: The program is available online, face-to-face, or in a hybrid format, offering flexibility to accommodate diverse learning preferences. Compulsory and Optional mentoring sessions support self-paced learning and maximise participant success.
4. Practical Application and Mentoring: Case studies, practical exercises, and interactive quizzes emphasise real-world applicability. Mentoring sessions provide additional support, ensuring participants are confident in implementing learned strategies.
5. Targeted Audience: The program is designed for employment consultants, disability service providers, career counsellors, job developers, and other professionals supporting employment services for individuals with disabilities.?

Outcomes for Participants?

Upon completion, participants will:

• Apply Discovery and Customised Employment principles to identify and match individual capabilities with job roles.
• Develop effective employer engagement and job development strategies.
• Support clients in self-employment and entrepreneurial endeavours.
• Create tailored post-placement plans for sustained success in the workplace.
• Advocate for systems change to embed Customised Employment practices in organisational frameworks.

Transforming Disability Employment Practices?

The?Customised Employment Program?is more than a training course—it’s a movement towards inclusive employment practices. By combining theoretical insights with actionable strategies, participants are empowered to create meaningful and sustainable employment pathways for individuals with disabilities, driving transformative change in their organisations and communities.?

Ensuring Authenticity of Practice?

CDERP will publish and maintain a list of Australian residents who have completed ACRE-certified training. This ensures that members of the public who are looking for support from employment professionals who have completed comprehensive training and have been certified can readily find them, consistent with international best practices. The list will be pinned to the Customised Employment Community of Practice Facebook page and also available on a separate tab on the CDERP College website.

Maintaining Standards?

We recently published standards for practice and will continue to work with authorities locally and internationally to ensure Customised Employment is delivered with the utmost professionalism. This is in addition to the Discovery Fidelity Scales, which are designed for public use.?

For over a decade, we’ve been working with our overseas and local partners and Australian government agencies to ensure that Customised Employment progresses towards being recognised as an evidence-based practice. We take this responsibility seriously.?

Start Today at: https://tinyurl.com/mr2jkett?

Or let’s start a conversation about your specific needs at [email protected]