An important piece of the disability employment puzzle

In December 2019, the UTS Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion invited both internal and external stakeholders onto campus for a series of lightning talks about ethical procurement. One of our speakers, Paul Brown, Co-founder and CEO of Jigsaw, talked about the role that social procurement can play in broadening the limited pathways available to people with disabilities.

Jigsaws mantra, “People prepare best for work, through work,'' embodies the spirit and impact this social enterprise has had in the disability sector since beginning in 2014.

Speaking with Paul Brown, Co-founder and CEO of Jigsaw, it is clear that the exceptional work Jigsaw is doing has created a much needed disruption in the disability space, effectively changing perceptions around people with disability and their capabilities.

“There is a huge social need for innovative models to connect mainstream work with people with disability” Paul states.

Jigsaw’s three-tier employment model trains people with disability for work in a real working environment.

A trainees day at Jigsaw mirrors a day in mainstream work, with real clients and objectives to fulfill. Jigsaw’s flexible model allows trainees to transition from learning employment competencies in the classroom, such as efficiency and time management, to applying these newfound learnings to hands on work within Jigsaw’s document and data management business. Jigsaw has worked with over 100 corporate and government clients, assisting them turn paperless through the provision of document scanning services. These services create the environment and opportunities for trainees to learn and work in the Jigsaw environment. After completing 20 employment competencies, trainees receive an award-wage job with Jigsaw and begin their journey to mainstream employment.

This opportunity to continue learning on the job to prepare for mainstream work is invaluable and a core component of what makes Jigsaw’s model so successful. With the sector averaging 12 months for people to find employment (post employment training), Jigsaw exceeds the average with employment being found in the mainstream within one and a half months after completing the training and employment journey within Jigsaw.

Another metric Jigsaw uses to measure if their model is having an impact is the longevity people with disability have in employment. Statistics suggest that 70% of people with disability lose their jobs within 3 months of starting their first role. These concerning statistics are beginning to change, with Jigsaw having a 100% success rate of graduates remaining employed in the mainstream workforce.

“Jigsaw has supported over 200 people through their model”.

The introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has been a great reform in the disability sector, with Jigsaw being a huge advocate for it. The NDIS provides $22 billion in funding a year to an estimated 500,000 Australians aged under 65, who have permanent and significant disability. For many people, it is the first time they have received the disability support they need.

Under the banner of the NDIS, Jigsaw has been able to provide more training and support, generating greater employment outcomes. Since the NDIS came into effect 1 July 2016, more services have come into the disability sector, which Paul notes as healthy competition that has pushed Jigsaw to thrive as the best service it can be. He believes the sector has the foundations now that will allow companies such as Jigsaw to flourish over the next 5-10 years.

Reflecting on his own experience at Jigsaw, Paul notes the main lesson he has learnt is, “what people with disability are capable of when presented the opportunity.''

“Other businesses and industries can leverage Jigsaws model, the model is applicable to refugees, Indigenous, homeless and other disadvantaged groups.” Paul Brown.

With a hope to create 500 jobs over the next five years, and six work hubs across the country, with a new site opening in Brisbane soon, Jigsaw will continue impacting the lives of those with disability.