National News Update: Employers report satisfaction with Disability Employment Services
31-Aug-2011
A new Government survey (PDF 810KB) shows a high level of satisfaction with Disability Employment Services among employers. Of employers who have used a DES, 53% rated the service as 'good' or 'very good' and a further third rated it 'acceptable'. Only 13% rated the service 'poor' or 'very poor'.
On average, employers agreed with statements that DES providers
- understand their business needs (average score 6 where 10 equals 'strongly agree')
- send job seekers with the relevant skills and abilities (average score 6.3)
- accurately describe job seekers' skills and abilities (average score 6.3)
The survey canvasses the attitudes of more than 1,200 employers to people with disability and to Disability Employment Services.
It found that most employers agree that people with disability "have a good attitude to work".
There is concern about the perceived cost of employing people with disability (in terms of workplace modifications). This concern is greater among employers who have not used a DES. A range of views were found on attitudes to wage subsidies and financial assistance, with small business more concerned about the upfront cost of hiring a person with disability. There was overall support for wage subsidies, but employers saw this as less important than finding the right person for the job.
'Listening to business' is one of the themes at the NDS Employment Forum, with the CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Peter Anderson, giving a keynote speech. To register for the conference, visit NDS's website but be quick, registrations close soon.
Contact Information:
Brendan Long, National Manager of Employment and Economic Policy, NDS National, Ph 02 6283 3202, brendan.long@nds.org.au
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