Each year, Vision Australia searches nationwide for talented graduates who are blind or have low vision, offering an opportunity for them to step confidently into their chosen field. In exciting news. Applications are now open for this year's program, which will be kicking off mid-year, and to have a chat with me all about the program. It's my great pleasure to welcome Vision Australia equity and inclusion advisor Rachel Ramsdale. Rachel, welcome to Talking Vision. Thank you very much for joining me today. Thanks for.

Each year, Vision Australia searches nationwide for talented graduates who are blind or have low vision, offering an opportunity for them to step confidently into their chosen field. In exciting news. Applications are now open for this year's program, which will be kicking off mid-year, and to have a chat with me all about the program. It's my great pleasure to welcome Vision Australia equity and inclusion advisor Rachel Ramsdale. Rachel, welcome to Talking Vision. Thank you very much for joining me today. Thanks for.

Having me.

Having me.

Now, Rachel, we're here to chat a bit about the Vision Australia graduate program today. So what is the program for people out there?

Now, Rachel, we're here to chat a bit about the Vision Australia graduate program today. So what is the program for people out there?

Yeah. So the Career Start program, which we've now actually changed it to be called Vision Australia graduate program. Just so people don't get confused seeing the different titles lying around. So yeah, it's really just it's a really supportive, empowering pathway, I guess, to develop skills and launch your career. So it's a 12 month paid program for graduates. And in that 12 months, we do try and find a 13 week external placement at another organisation just to get a bit more, you know, skills and contacts and that kind of thing. It's a great program in the program that the graduates will have a senior mentor and a buddy that will be a part of the program that they can contact. And those both those people will be also be blind and low vision, you know, and that'll be in addition to obviously, their team manager, their colleagues that they work with every day and us in the graduate program team that kind of oversee the program. So that's the basic idea, and.

Yeah. So the Career Start program, which we've now actually changed it to be called Vision Australia graduate program. Just so people don't get confused seeing the different titles lying around. So yeah, it's really just it's a really supportive, empowering pathway, I guess, to develop skills and launch your career. So it's a 12 month paid program for graduates. And in that 12 months, we do try and find a 13 week external placement at another organisation just to get a bit more, you know, skills and contacts and that kind of thing. It's a great program in the program that the graduates will have a senior mentor and a buddy that will be a part of the program that they can contact. And those both those people will be also be blind and low vision, you know, and that'll be in addition to obviously, their team manager, their colleagues that they work with every day and us in the graduate program team that kind of oversee the program. So that's the basic idea, and.

I can speak to the effectiveness of the graduate program I went through when it was called Career Start back in 2019. It was a lot of fun, got a lot out of it. So do highly recommend it to anyone out there who is thinking about it. Definitely have a go! It's a lot of fun. I was involved in, um, the communications and radio sides of things, that Vision Australia. But what other departments can people get involved with at Vision Australia across? Well, the whole country really. It's not just Kooyong, it's, you know, Parramatta, Coorparoo, centres all around the country. What sort of centres is it offered at every centre and every department?

I can speak to the effectiveness of the graduate program I went through when it was called Career Start back in 2019. It was a lot of fun, got a lot out of it. So do highly recommend it to anyone out there who is thinking about it. Definitely have a go! It's a lot of fun. I was involved in, um, the communications and radio sides of things, that Vision Australia. But what other departments can people get involved with at Vision Australia across? Well, the whole country really. It's not just Kooyong, it's, you know, Parramatta, Coorparoo, centres all around the country. What sort of centres is it offered at every centre and every department?

Yeah. So we're very kind of flexible I guess at Vision Australia we have a lot of office locations. So we just um we do also work hybrid as well. So there is office work but also working from home. So we just need someone to be just in a commutable distance to a Vision Australia office location somewhere, so that they can have some days in the office where they connect in with a team, you know, they're not always on their own. So yeah. So that's pretty you know, there's kind of a lot of options out there. We have had some grads in Queensland, some in New South Wales, some in Victoria. We've even had one up in the Northern Territory before. So yeah. And look, it's just really what kind of fits well and where that grad career path is. So you know, we've got lots of different areas like marketing, communications, fundraising, as you said, radio, the volunteering people and culture, human resources kind of area information technology. So there's a lot of different areas that we can delve into in that space.

Yeah. So we're very kind of flexible I guess at Vision Australia we have a lot of office locations. So we just um we do also work hybrid as well. So there is office work but also working from home. So we just need someone to be just in a commutable distance to a Vision Australia office location somewhere, so that they can have some days in the office where they connect in with a team, you know, they're not always on their own. So yeah. So that's pretty you know, there's kind of a lot of options out there. We have had some grads in Queensland, some in New South Wales, some in Victoria. We've even had one up in the Northern Territory before. So yeah. And look, it's just really what kind of fits well and where that grad career path is. So you know, we've got lots of different areas like marketing, communications, fundraising, as you said, radio, the volunteering people and culture, human resources kind of area information technology. So there's a lot of different areas that we can delve into in that space.

There's so many different areas for sure. So it's um, you know, a lot of options out there for people now, um, in terms of who is eligible to take part in the program, what are the criteria there?

There's so many different areas for sure. So it's um, you know, a lot of options out there for people now, um, in terms of who is eligible to take part in the program, what are the criteria there?

Yeah. So obviously it's for blind and low vision candidates. And you would need to have done some studies. So you would need to have a qualification and completed a qualification at a diploma level or higher within the last four years and be available to work 12 months, which would be at this stage from this July to the following June. And you'd need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. And I think they're probably the main, main ones. Yeah.

Yeah. So obviously it's for blind and low vision candidates. And you would need to have done some studies. So you would need to have a qualification and completed a qualification at a diploma level or higher within the last four years and be available to work 12 months, which would be at this stage from this July to the following June. And you'd need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. And I think they're probably the main, main ones. Yeah.

Now, Rach, it's interesting that the timeline has changed slightly. People may be familiar with the program starting a bit earlier in the year around March April. What was the, um, thought process behind pushing it back a little bit to July?

Now, Rach, it's interesting that the timeline has changed slightly. People may be familiar with the program starting a bit earlier in the year around March April. What was the, um, thought process behind pushing it back a little bit to July?

That's a good question. I've only just come on board in the program in the last 12 or so months. I'm not sure why they pushed it out. It might have been a, I don't know, financial year sort of thing. I'm not totally sure. Um, but yeah, at the moment, yeah, yeah.

That's a good question. I've only just come on board in the program in the last 12 or so months. I'm not sure why they pushed it out. It might have been a, I don't know, financial year sort of thing. I'm not totally sure. Um, but yeah, at the moment, yeah, yeah.

I think one of the things is that I think it does line up better with the placement, because with the program starting in March. You'd start in December when things are kind of winding down a bit for the year and people are heading off to the Christmas summer break, and I think you do get a bit more out of things if you move that to March or March, April and you're sort of in the swing of things and you get a bit of a continuous kind of thing. So I think there's a bit of a thought process there. I think that might have something to do with it as well. I think that's a really good idea in that sense. So on that topic, what sort of placements and what sort of areas and organisations have people in the past headed along to? Is there a certain group of things? What's the process like for people out there in case they're wondering?

I think one of the things is that I think it does line up better with the placement, because with the program starting in March. You'd start in December when things are kind of winding down a bit for the year and people are heading off to the Christmas summer break, and I think you do get a bit more out of things if you move that to March or March, April and you're sort of in the swing of things and you get a bit of a continuous kind of thing. So I think there's a bit of a thought process there. I think that might have something to do with it as well. I think that's a really good idea in that sense. So on that topic, what sort of placements and what sort of areas and organisations have people in the past headed along to? Is there a certain group of things? What's the process like for people out there in case they're wondering?

Yeah. So we the team that sort of look after the program, we do all that contacting and you know, we speak to the graduate and we kind of get an idea of what it is they're looking for and what they're wanting and what their thoughts are on it as well. So we keep them updated, the whole sort of process, and we just sort of contact organisations and explain the programme and just try and get some interest. And the good thing is, is that The Graduate is still a Virgin Australia employee through that time, so it still paid by Virgin Australia. The other organisation doesn't have to pay for anything, and we've had some really good organisations that have taken on grads. We've had Bupa, we've had Ernst and Young. Uh, I feel.

Yeah. So we the team that sort of look after the program, we do all that contacting and you know, we speak to the graduate and we kind of get an idea of what it is they're looking for and what they're wanting and what their thoughts are on it as well. So we keep them updated, the whole sort of process, and we just sort of contact organisations and explain the programme and just try and get some interest. And the good thing is, is that The Graduate is still a Virgin Australia employee through that time, so it still paid by Virgin Australia. The other organisation doesn't have to pay for anything, and we've had some really good organisations that have taken on grads. We've had Bupa, we've had Ernst and Young. Uh, I feel.

Like we've had.

Like we've had.

A yeah wise employment.

A yeah wise employment.

Yeah, that's where I had it a long time for a few little while.

Yeah, that's where I had it a long time for a few little while.

Yeah. At the moment we've got the Endeavour Foundation that some of our grads currently that are in the program at the moment are going off to shortly. So yeah, it's been really good actually. And we've had some really good organisations come on board and take on grads and, and it's great that external placement because it really gives them added skills, a different environment that I guess that's different to the Vision Australia, who might know a bit more about blind and low vision Liberian people and other organizations that might not. It's getting them out there into that environment, giving them more connections, meeting more people. And sometimes we've had grads that actually really excel in those environments, and the organizations actually keep them on after the program in employment. So that's been really great.

Yeah. At the moment we've got the Endeavour Foundation that some of our grads currently that are in the program at the moment are going off to shortly. So yeah, it's been really good actually. And we've had some really good organisations come on board and take on grads and, and it's great that external placement because it really gives them added skills, a different environment that I guess that's different to the Vision Australia, who might know a bit more about blind and low vision Liberian people and other organizations that might not. It's getting them out there into that environment, giving them more connections, meeting more people. And sometimes we've had grads that actually really excel in those environments, and the organizations actually keep them on after the program in employment. So that's been really great.

Certainly has been. And it's really interesting that point you make about giving that exposure to other organizations, meeting up with people who are blind or have low vision, who previously may not have employed somebody who is blind or has low vision. And, you know, there's been really interesting discussions and, you know, little meetings and seminars and things that Vision Australia has been really good at running, where they come out and explain things to these new employers and, you know, go through it isn't expensive to hire somebody who is blind or has low vision. There's a lot of misconceptions out there that this is really helping to dispel, which is also a fantastic byproduct of it. Now, in terms of helping people settle in and helping them acclimatize and get their head around work full time, this might be their first full time job ever and have a bit of trepidation about the sort of technology they might have access to. The great thing with this program is they get a workplace assessment, don't they, when they come in and visit in Australia. Sort of helps them in that way.

Certainly has been. And it's really interesting that point you make about giving that exposure to other organizations, meeting up with people who are blind or have low vision, who previously may not have employed somebody who is blind or has low vision. And, you know, there's been really interesting discussions and, you know, little meetings and seminars and things that Vision Australia has been really good at running, where they come out and explain things to these new employers and, you know, go through it isn't expensive to hire somebody who is blind or has low vision. There's a lot of misconceptions out there that this is really helping to dispel, which is also a fantastic byproduct of it. Now, in terms of helping people settle in and helping them acclimatize and get their head around work full time, this might be their first full time job ever and have a bit of trepidation about the sort of technology they might have access to. The great thing with this program is they get a workplace assessment, don't they, when they come in and visit in Australia. Sort of helps them in that way.

Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. When they come on board, we ensure a workplace assessment is done and any equipment that will benefit them and help them is ordered and that gets all set up with them. You know, we're always in contact with them along the way. There's a lot of people involved and we ensure that's all running great. And even after that workplace assessment, you know, we always are quite clear with the graduate that we're here for them no matter what. To contact us if they're having any issues with that equipment or training, anything that they need. We're really kind of hands on helping them along the way. And that also includes the external placement. So a workplace assessment would be done with that organization as well. And we'd ensure that they were set up at that organization as much the best equipment that they need and that kind of thing. And we're always still in contact with them and here for them because, as I said, they're still an employee of ours. And yeah, we want to make sure that they have the best experience both here and at that external placement.

Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. When they come on board, we ensure a workplace assessment is done and any equipment that will benefit them and help them is ordered and that gets all set up with them. You know, we're always in contact with them along the way. There's a lot of people involved and we ensure that's all running great. And even after that workplace assessment, you know, we always are quite clear with the graduate that we're here for them no matter what. To contact us if they're having any issues with that equipment or training, anything that they need. We're really kind of hands on helping them along the way. And that also includes the external placement. So a workplace assessment would be done with that organization as well. And we'd ensure that they were set up at that organization as much the best equipment that they need and that kind of thing. And we're always still in contact with them and here for them because, as I said, they're still an employee of ours. And yeah, we want to make sure that they have the best experience both here and at that external placement.

Certainly. And in terms of, you know, some of the technology and assistive bits and pieces that people have access to, sometimes this is not only me, but other people I've spoken to. They come in and they think, oh, wow, you know, there's this new thing that I didn't know about. There's this software and it makes my life so much easier. I wish I knew about it earlier, and I guess there's raising awareness of the software and the technologies that are out there? Not only for them, but other employers who we were talking about before, who don't have as many people from the blind and low vision community employed there. And, you know, they always are quite surprised and think, oh, wow, that's that's really cool. I didn't know about that. So that's also a really interesting aspect of that side of things. But in terms of how to get involved and how to apply for a spot in the Vision Australia graduate program, what is the best way for people to do that? Rach.

Certainly. And in terms of, you know, some of the technology and assistive bits and pieces that people have access to, sometimes this is not only me, but other people I've spoken to. They come in and they think, oh, wow, you know, there's this new thing that I didn't know about. There's this software and it makes my life so much easier. I wish I knew about it earlier, and I guess there's raising awareness of the software and the technologies that are out there? Not only for them, but other employers who we were talking about before, who don't have as many people from the blind and low vision community employed there. And, you know, they always are quite surprised and think, oh, wow, that's that's really cool. I didn't know about that. So that's also a really interesting aspect of that side of things. But in terms of how to get involved and how to apply for a spot in the Vision Australia graduate program, what is the best way for people to do that? Rach.

Yeah. So on our website there's information about the graduate program, if anyone wanted some more information. So it's great to look there. The job ads, we usually roughly around February go out with the job ad, which we currently have. One next intake is live now. So you know look on your Seek Ethical Jobs on our careers page, on our website with our job listings, it's there. So you just sort of go to the job ad and you go through the application process there. So it will tell you what to do on the job application. If there's any questions, queries, clarification needed or you just simply can't find the job ad, you can email careers at Vision Australia. Org and someone will get back to you, or they'll forward it on to myself and I will get back to you. So yeah.

Yeah. So on our website there's information about the graduate program, if anyone wanted some more information. So it's great to look there. The job ads, we usually roughly around February go out with the job ad, which we currently have. One next intake is live now. So you know look on your Seek Ethical Jobs on our careers page, on our website with our job listings, it's there. So you just sort of go to the job ad and you go through the application process there. So it will tell you what to do on the job application. If there's any questions, queries, clarification needed or you just simply can't find the job ad, you can email careers at Vision Australia. Org and someone will get back to you, or they'll forward it on to myself and I will get back to you. So yeah.

Perfect. That's Careers at Vision australia.org. For all your questions regarding the Vision Australia graduate program, I've been speaking today with Rachel Ramsdale, Equity and Inclusion advisor from Vision Australia, about the upcoming Vision Australia graduate program kicking off mid-year. Rach, thank you so much for your time today. It was great to catch up and chat all about the graduate program.

Perfect. That's Careers at Vision australia.org. For all your questions regarding the Vision Australia graduate program, I've been speaking today with Rachel Ramsdale, Equity and Inclusion advisor from Vision Australia, about the upcoming Vision Australia graduate program kicking off mid-year. Rach, thank you so much for your time today. It was great to catch up and chat all about the graduate program.

Yeah, thank you for having me. It was great chatting.

Yeah, thank you for having me. It was great chatting.