An ACT public sector program to boost employment for people with disability has met huge demand from job seekers.
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There were more than 200 applications for nine inclusion traineeships.
Program manager William Towler said a competitive process had been followed to select the successful applicants, who work in a variety of roles across many directorates while studying vocational education.
"There was quite a pool of suitable people who didn't make it into the nine and we're actively trying to seek other placements for them," Mr Towler said.
"It is showing a big demand. There were a lot of people with high qualifications in that as well.
"Even though it's a traineeship, there were people with PhDs, university graduates.
"We found there are people with disability who, even if they have the best qualifications, were unable to get employment because of misconceptions that are out there."
Mr Towler said some of the applicants had revealed "horror stories" about poor treatment in previous workplaces.
"Some of the answers we got back were that people had to do mundane, crappy tasks," he said.
"That's part of everybody's role, but that's all they were getting.
"They weren't getting a mixture of other duties as well. Some of those stories were quite sad."
Mr Towler said the program aimed to remove subconscious bias by promoting success stories.
"It's about myth busting," he said.
"With this traineeship at the moment people are required to fulfil the functions of the job with reasonable adjustment.
"What we try to do is provide individualised training for supervisors and work areas.
"We like to have the employment provider involved and get to know the individual, then we can provide training that specifically meets their needs and requirements.
"Some people with disability feel they're babied when they come into the workplace. We try and stop that as well because you're setting people up to fail."
Mr Towler said the program also offered support for supervisors and hiring managers to make workplace adjustments.
Trainee Andrew Madden, 23, said he felt strong support in his role with the Directorate of Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development.
The former Radford College student has velo-cardio-facial syndrome and said he found that previous employers didn't understand his condition.
"I learn a bit differently and it takes me a bit more time to understand things. It can be hard to learn things straight away when there's not much support," he said.
"Now with some support it's helped me and I've been able to do it."
In the past, he said some managers had unrealistic expectations.
"Sometimes they didn't give me enough responsibility," he said.
"In the current role I've had a very good experience.
"I've been here since January 31, and my team has been very good to me and helpful in settling me in.
"It makes it a lot easier waking up and wanting to come to work in the morning, knowing that you have a job you can do.
"I'm busy through the day and not having periods where there's nothing to do.
"It's the way that they teach me. They're helping me a lot and they've been very friendly, which has been good."
Asked if had any advice for others in a similar position, Mr Madden said: "Take every opportunity that you can get. If a job comes up, take it.
"They should speak up if they have problems and issues."
Mr Madden said he hopes to have a long-term career in the ACT public sector.
