This course is designed to meet the needs of Disability Employment Professionals, with an emphasis on Customised Employment and Discovery. The program is mapped against the APSE1st and ACRE competencies, the recognised global standard for Customised Employment training. It requires 40 hours of training and examination, along with comprehensive support and mentoring beyond the training.
This course has been
The Customised Employment Professional Program offers a comprehensive deep dive into the concepts, practices, and models of Customised Employment. Delivered through a series of modules, this course equips participants with the tools needed to foster meaningful employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
Topics include Discovery, job development, work experience, self-employment, and post-placement support, along with a strong focus on person-centred practices, social capital, and self-advocacy. The course incorporates practical exercises, quizzes, and mentoring to solidify participants’ learning and promote real-world application. It will also provide background knowledge on comparable developments and supports in the USA, the home of Customised Employment. This program draws on our research and practice, which are underpinned by extensive research partnerships globally and our valued technical alliance with Griffin Hammis Associates, the pioneers in Customised Employment, for over forty years. Within the subject areas, you will find over eighty topics, along with videos, quizzes and assessments to support your learning journey.
Course Overview
The “Customised Employment Professional Program” offered by the Centre for Disability Employment Research and Practice (CDERP) provides an in-depth exploration of customised employment practices, from Discovery to Post Placement Support and Service Provider Change processes.
This course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to support individuals with disabilities in achieving meaningful, person-centred employment. The program covers a wide range of topics, from the historical evolution of employment practices to the practical implementation of customised employment strategies.
Course Objectives
- Explore Foundations of Customised Employment: Understand normalisation, person-centred practice, and systems change.
- Master Discovery and Social Capital Development: Learn to identify individual talents and social networks that support employment.
- Develop Skills in Job Development and Employer Engagement: Implement strategies to engage employers and develop employment roles.
- Empower Through Self-Advocacy and Self-Employment: Support participants in self-advocacy, entrepreneurial endeavours, and informed decision-making.
- Ensure Long-Term Success with Post-Placement Support: Develop post-placement plans that promote skill retention, natural support, and sustainable employment.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will complete the course with the ability to:
- Apply customised employment and discovery principles to assess and match individual capabilities with job roles.
- Conduct discovery interviews and build social capital for clients.
- Engage employers effectively through job development and informational interviews.
- Support clients in self-employment pathways and entrepreneurial skills.
- Create tailored post-placement support plans to help clients succeed in the workplace.
- Champion systems change by promoting customised employment models within organisations.
Course Lessons
- Understanding Customised Employment and Discovery (UCED)
- Discovery and Social Capital (DSC)
- Self-Advocacy (SA)
- Discovery Stage One (DSO)
- Informational Interviews – Unlocking Skills and Employment (IIUSE)
- Work Experience (WE)
- Job Development & Barriers to Employment (JDBE)
- Employers (E)
- Self-Employment (SE)
- Self-Determination and Career Planning (SDCP)
- Post-Placement Planning and Support (PPPS)
- Systems Change – Embedding New Practice Models (SCENPM)
Course Format
• Delivery Mode: Online modules with assessments, quizzes, and mentoring. Face-to-face and Hybrid are available subject to arrangement.
• Duration: Flexible, self-paced with required and optional mentoring sessions
• Methods: Videos, interactive quizzes, practical exercises, and case studies
• Materials Provided: Digital workbooks, handouts, and templates
• Certification: Certificate of Completion upon successfully passing quizzes and practical assessments
Target Audience
This course is ideal for employment consultants, disability service providers, career counsellors, job developers, and other professionals working in employment services for individuals with disabilities.
This course offers a rich learning experience through a blend of theory, practical application, and mentoring. It empowers participants to create meaningful employment pathways and support systems for individuals with disabilities.
