2015
Finalist
New South Wales

Flagstaff’s innovative collaboration with TAFE Illawarra delivers a unique program providing vocational skills and Certificate II courses to people with a disability. The program has provided nationally recognised training, educational development and career progression opportunities to Flagstaff’s employees, many of whom had never had a formal qualification. The collaboration has provided increased work choices, employment outcomes and, importantly, confidence and independence.

A collaboration of Flagstaff Group and TAFE Illawarra.

Flagstaff’s innovative collaboration with TAFE Illawarra delivers a unique program providing vocational skills and Certificate II courses to people with a disability. The program has provided nationally recognised training, educational development and career progression opportunities to Flagstaff’s employees, many of whom had never had a formal qualification. The collaboration has provided increased work choices, employment outcomes and, importantly, confidence and independence.

Established in 1966, Flagstaff Group is an Australian Disability Enterprise employing 350 people, 275 of whom have disability. Its seven business divisions include print and mail, paper, cardboard and plastic recycling, frozen meal production, commercial laundry, engineering and manufacturing, coffee roasting and Café Vizioné.

Since 2013, Flagstaff has initiated community partnerships to implement vocational education and training solutions increasing work opportunities for people with a disability, which have helped to fill a gap in the community where people with disability have barriers to skills and training opportunities.

To date, the collaboration with TAFE Illawarra has seen 90 supported employees graduate with Certificate II courses in Process Manufacturing, Food Processing and Waste Management, with a further 25 currently enrolled in 2015.