Barossa Enterprises navigates changing Disability Employment

Disability employment is changing, and Barossa Enterprises is moving to ensure people living with disability can benefit from the opportunities available in their community.

NDIS reforms recently announced by the Government signal a significant shift in the way disability supports are accessed and maintained. The focus is increasingly on achieving outcomes and, for employment supports, that means building skills, creating pathways into mainstream employment and ensuring people with disability have greater choice and opportunity to participate in the open labour market where that aligns with their goals.

Rick Collis, Production Manager, Barossa Enterprises and Eliza Todd.

Recognising this changing landscape, Barossa Enterprises has developed Skills Plus—an innovative employment readiness and transition program designed to identify

1. a participant strengths and skills

2. skills and goals, and

3. work through the supports needed to create an achievable pathway to a job.

Chief Executive Officer Garry Velt said the organisation has been in ongoing preparation for outcome-oriented supports.

"The disability employment landscape is evolving, and it's important that organisations evolve with it," Mr Velt said.

"The Australian Government has made it clear that it wants to see people living with disability supported to achieve sustainable employment outcomes. Skills Plus has been developed in direct response to that, ensuring participants are equipped with the practical skills, experience and confidence needed to pursue job opportunities in the wider workforce after school finishes."

The Government's reforms maintains supported employment as an important option for those that may find it difficult to engage in mainstream employment whilst also placing a stronger emphasis on ensuring participants have genuine opportunities to explore pathways into mainstream employment if that reflects their goals.

Mr Velt said Barossa Enterprises fully supports that vision.

"This isn't about replacing supported employment," he said.

"It's about creating more opportunities and giving people more choice. Everyone's employment journey is different. Some people will continue to thrive in supported employment, while others will want to explore work experience, mainstream employment or their own business. Our role is to support each individual to achieve the goals that matters to them."

Skills Plus is a purpose-built program to focus and prepare participants for local opportunities and the expectations of modern workplaces.

Barossa Enterprises can offer experience in timber manufacturing, logistics, wine packaging, hospitality and food safety, retail and workplace health and safety, while developing transferable employability skills such as teamwork, communication, reliability, problem solving, productivity and time management.

Assessments are aligned to VET competencies helping participants identify recognised skills that employers value.

Importantly, Skills Plus extends beyond training.

Through NDIS Employment Assistance Support, participants complete a workplace capability assessment and works alongside Barossa Enterprises' Employment Services team to identify individual strengths, interests and career aspirations. From there, personalised employment pathways are developed, recognising that success looks different for everyone.

These pathways may include supported employment, work experience with local businesses, mainstream employment, further education, self-employment or micro-enterprise opportunities.

To support this transition, Barossa Enterprises has also invested in modernising its own workplace to better reflect genuine commercial environments.

New technologies and automated production systems are providing participants with experience using contemporary equipment while helping the organisation remain competitive and sustainable into the future. These improvements ensure participants are developing skills that are directly relevant to available employment opportunities beyond the Supported Employment environment.

With more than 300 business and community partnerships across regional South Australia, participants also have access to real workplace experiences that build confidence, develop industry connections and create genuine employment opportunities.

Mr Velt said responding to the Government's reforms is about preparing participants not just for today's jobs, but for tomorrow's inclusive workforce.

"Employment is changing, expectations are changing, and the supports we provide must continue to evolve," he said.

"For nearly 50 years Barossa Enterprises has been creating opportunities for people with disability. Skills Plus represents the next chapter of that journey—ensuring the people we support have every opportunity to develop their potential, participate in the workforce and achieve greater economic independence."

As the sector moves towards a more inclusive employment system, Barossa Enterprises is positioning itself at the forefront of change—creating stronger pathways, stronger partnerships and stronger employment outcomes for people living with disability.