Funding to help Gordon TAFE boost disability inclusion

THE Gordon TAFE has received $150,000 to develop a disability awareness program as part of the state government’s Local Skills Partnerships Program.

It is piloting the program with automotive apprenticeships and will develop digital materials and courses to support employers and teachers with inclusive practices.

A program will also be designed for students to build confidence and help them advocate for themselves.

The aim is to improve training outcomes and create a better TAFE experience for automotive apprentices with disability.

While many students identify as having a disability, only a small percentage presently use support services.

The Gordon says employers and teachers have also requested more tools and confidence to provide inclusive training and workplaces.

The Gordon’s chief executive officer Joe Ormeno said the automotive pilot was a powerful example of what inclusive education looked like in action.

 

“By investing in tools for teachers, support for employers, and confidence-building for students, we’re backing a future where every apprentice can thrive — and where disability inclusion is embedded in core training from the start.”

The new automotive program complements the work being done by The Gordon’s Centre of Excellence in Disability Inclusion.

The $36 million state government funded Centre is expected to open in mid-2027 at The Gordon’s City campus.

Since 2024, a series of workshops have shaped the Centre’s shared vision for a more inclusive TAFE system.

The workshops have included students, families, disability advocates, educators, employers and government partners.

“We’re proud to support The Gordon with the Centre of Excellence in Disability Inclusion, which is a groundbreaking project to boost employment outcomes for people with disability,” Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney said.