The IEP is excited to sponsor the Welcome Reception, the evening before the Disability Employment Australia (DEA) Conference 2024. This pre-conference event sets the stage for the main conference, offering a prime opportunity for IEP to connect with delegates and share our vision and the resources available.
DEA Conference 2024: Ready for Reform
The DEA Conference 2024 is themed ‘Ready for Reform’, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for disability employment. With systemic exclusion identified by the Disability Royal Commission as a primary issue, the conference aims to foster a society-wide response to embrace inclusion, end segregation, and promote diverse workplaces that harness all Australians’ talents.
The conference will address several critical issues, including:
- New DES Contract: Expected to start in July 2025, the new Disability Employment Services (DES) contract will be a focal point, with government representatives discussing future priorities.
- NDIS Review: Exploring a more employment outcome-centric approach, the role of disability employment providers within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will be highlighted.
- Royal Commission and Employment White Paper: Emphasizing the increased expectations on employers, the conference will discuss initiatives to promote disability employment through procurement.
Speaking about the IEP’s sponsorship Scott Parkin FIEP, IEP Group CEO said “we are pleased to be sponsoring the Welcome Reception to strengthen our existing partnerships and build new relationships, presenting our key messages about the IEP mission in Australia. We value our strong partnership with Disability Employment Australia and work closely with DEA’s CEO, Peter Bacon FIEP who is an IEP Fellow. By highlighting the collaborative relationship between our organisations, together we can strive to enhance the employability landscape and support the professional development of those working in disability employment services.”
The DEA Conference 2024 will debut new initiatives, including:
- DEA Practitioners’ Forum: Part of the new Professional Members Program, this forum aims to lift workforce competency standards and provide networking and upskilling opportunities for front-line workers.
- Tender Readiness Workshop: This workshop will help organisations prepare for upcoming challenges in the second half of the year.
We look forward to meeting DEA delegates at the Welcome Reception, engage with our representatives, and explore how we can work together to transform disability employment in Australia. This conference represents a generational opportunity for reform, and through collaboration, we can achieve lasting change.
You can find out more about the conference at the event website here https://dea.cw3.events/
