Employment Service in Schools - Budget 2023

Supporting disabled learners to achieve improved wellbeing through further education, training and employment - Wellbeing Budget 2023.

This initiative continues to support the Employment Service in Schools to achieve sustainable employment for disabled learners.

The Government is investing $2 million in 2023/24 to continue the Employment Service in Schools pilot, which provides disabled learners with career and transition support, work experience, placements and on-the-job employment support to participate fully in the labour market.

• Employment Service in Schools (ESiS) supports employers to provide appropriate work environments for young people with disabilities and equips whānau and schools to assist the transition of young disabled people into further education, training and employment. The programme aims to improve social and economic wellbeing for disabled young people and their whānau.
• ESiS was established in 2021 and is operating in five pilot regions. The pilot was evaluated in Wellington and Canterbury with both regions showing improved outcomes for those that participated.
• The ESiS pilot has stimulated confidence and self-belief in participants and has promoted employment and employment-related training options that best support disabled learners and their whānau.
• ESiS has brought together the support provided by schools, employers, whānau and communities to promote and sustain employment for disabled people.
• ESiS places the learner at the centre. The service has helped disabled young people to discuss not only their goals but also the barriers they have experienced from accessing opportunities. 
• Transportation is a key barrier for some learners, not only for those who experience physical disabilities but also for those who are managing anxieties. Where solutions have not been possible in the past, this service creates viable employment and training options by creating solutions to barriers such as this.