Unfortunately I am often out of sync with my peers and betters.
Wage subsidy and the promotion of wage subsidies as a method to increase the employment of people (and I include people with disability) would be an example of such.
Before I press on – have you ever come with a subsidy? I have not and therefore it occurs to me that I lack the experience to be able to offer valid first hand comment – nevertheless, in the 36 years I have contributed taxes, and for any and each employer that has paid me, I have never attracted a subsidy.
I just got paid, and I hope sincerely that I have always earned sufficient to enable my employer to profit from that work. Because that the way it works: I employ you, pay you $10 and you make me, or save me, more than that.
So why a subsidy?
My opinion (and that’s what this blog is about) is that this comes from a philosophical stance: that the recipient is not deemed to be of sufficient worth to allow for the relationship that I have described. In relation to the employment of people that have a disability I find this concept particularly troubling – surely, if such a person is going to be able to escape the misconception that they are a burden or of less value than their non disabled peers (perceptions that create what Wolfensberger describes as ‘wounding’ experiences) then surely a subsidy risks devaluation of individual worth?
Many years ago and in a rush of ill considered enthusiasm (and possibly less faith or experience with my products value) I became caught up with a scheme that offered employers $7,000 to hire from a range of disadvantaged groups.
A much wiser Penrith business owner pulled me up: “Son, I don’t care if you give me $70,000, if the bastard can’t do the job he ain’t worth having here” And he was right.
The issue centres on ability – and if NOVA candidates have or can develop the ability to create the equation described above (make their boss a profit) than they will gain and retain employment.
Subsidies have only a minor effect upon the creation of opportunity (at least in every study I have read) and perpetuate an inaccurate perception of validity or worth about disadvantaged employees and can be particularly demeaning and damaging to their recipients.
That's not to say that NOVA never uses wage subsidy - sadly an environment has created in which some employers pretty much demand government cash. However, I am proud of the fact that we rarely* resort to this approach, preferring to market on individual ability and our own post placement support as the offset for any initial productivity issues.
Personally, I remain staunchly opposed.
* 6 NOVA outlets have not used a subsidy in the past 12 months , 6 have used subsidies twice or less.
(Whoops! – Don’t Google ‘subsidy’ – you get a rival DES provider! )
Would you like a face-to-face meeting with Martin via Skype? Click the button below to make an appointment
Subscribe to this Blog - blog.novaemployment.com.au Copy the link above and paste it into your favourite Reader to subscribe to an RSS feed of this blog. To watch a short video explanation of RSS and how it helps you save time reading the web click here
Your Comments There are currently no comments on this article
Previous Posts
Fair Warning
I'm giving fair warning of my intention to expose examples of the current DES-ESS contract's exploitation.
I have written to the Commonwealth expressing my concerns about clear manipulation of the present contract....
Fundamentals
The new contract for Disability Employment Services (DES) will not bring performance improvement.
Government will scratch it's head, blame the economy, blame people with disability, talk about educating employers and spend money on consultations before coming to the conclusion that people with disability must meet more stringent 'mutual obligations'....
100%
Each year, around about the International Day of People with a Disability (IDPwD) NOVA Employment holds a formal graduation for students that have participated in our pre-employment programs....
Profiting from poverty
Profiting from Poverty
I am genuinely horrified by this disaster: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/02/the-demerit-system-is-ruthless-social-policy-designed-to-keep-the-poor-powerless
I believe that we presently represent the job hopes of around 1500 people, in various stages of their progression to independent employment....
New Contract but no change!
New Contract but no change!
Today marks the first day of a new Disability Employment Service (DES) contract.
There are new players and new rules....
Administrative Overload
'It's nice to be busy' and 'busy is better than idle' and all of my mum's other sayings about work being good for you, and all of them said; we're drowning!
The administrative burden of a new Disability Employment Service contract (starts July 1st) and the mountains of paperwork required for an NDIS dollar (approximately 10X that of the former TTW program) has seen us add 3 extra staff to the admin team and we are still receiving a large volume of enquiries that are causing us some time delay in getting back to folk....
Podcasts I've been learning all about Podcasts (I suspect that this may be a long road!)
However, getting paid to be inspired is not the worst way to spend a Monday afternoon and that is just how my day has gone....
Lucky Lucky
I am truly fortunate to work with the very best people in this great nation and we are truly lucky to be part of the best short film festival this side of anywhere!
"Focusonability" voting starts today and there is an even larger number of films (287) than last year....
On the money Sometime over the next week a new Disability Employment Service contract will be announced.
We are moving into a new world of greater consumer choice and greater mobility of job seekers....
Making a tough job tougher!
Making a tough job tougher
It isnt easy to get a decent job and its harder to do so if you have a disability.
NOVA employs around 190 people, an effective and experienced team who are able to draw upon a staff of highly skilled trainers and a support program honed over almost 30 years and tens of thousands of participants....
Your Work There was never any doubt in my mind that I would work. My dad told me I would work and there wasn't ever a suggestion that my future held an alternative option....
Not so bad! Taken from: Today's Guardian at 4.09pm Tuesday 7th November 2017:
www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/jun/23/russia-and-the-us-have-the-worst-employment-gaps-for-disabled-people
In a world full of discouragement there’s always a space for good news....
Informed Choice
The NDIS mantra is 'choice and control'
To be valuable, choice needs to be informed.
Since 2010:
Average Sydney Disability Employment Services placement rates are 34....
Hard Job
It's voting time at "Focusonability" - with a record number of films entered, a tremendous effort by more than 100 High Schools and 19 countries competing in the International section it was always going to be a hard job to pick a winner....
Choice & Control
The NDIS slogans around choice and control demonstrate the importance of consumer involvement in both the choice and control of supports they need.
However, in order to be valuable, choice needs to be informed by accurate data such is this: http://www....
Belfast
Last week (14-16) it was my privilege to attend the 1st World Supported Employment Conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
"Employment for All - A Global Perspective" brought workers from around the globe (primarily Europe) to discuss best practice in supported employment....
Quality and the Stars Quality and the Stars
There have probably been few people more openly critical of the Disability Employment Service (DES) Star Ratings than me.
The Stars, ranging from 1 to 5 are supposed to give some insight into whether a service is a poor or high performing program....
DEA Forum
Attended the Disability Employment Australia (DEA) forum in Canberra. THis is a regular get together that offers disability employment services tha chance to be kept up to date from our funding body and also listed to expert speakers on topics associated with the goal of seeing as many people as possible find and keep suitable employment....
Greatest Asset
NOVAs greatest asset is its staff. I suspect you would struggle to find the CEO of any organisation state their staff are not vital and at the core of business reputation and results....
A corner turned?
We are presently holding events to promote employment for people with disability - nor surprise there, that's our job.
What has been a surprise is the willingness of employers to come along and listen and more importantly, to consider adopting inclusive employment practices across their organisations....
Subscribe to this Blog