Overview
Working with students with disability to design a structured career plan is an essential part of the transition from school to employment. With structured career development and careful planning, young people with disability can leave school with the skills, confidence and networks that they need to find meaningful work.
The process of designing a career plan helps young people to build clear goals, a positive sense of the future and career skills such as problem-solving and adaptability.1
Designing a career plan involves supporting a young person to learn about work, understand their strengths, and develop a plan for the future. Young people are guided through the process as they build skills and choose work or study pathways to reach their goals.
Designing a career plan is not just about finding a job. It is about a person understanding their strengths, identifying their aspirations, getting support when they need it and having the right information to make good choices.
Research has shown that there are key evidence‑based predictors that consistently improve employment outcomes for young people with disability.2 Many of these predictors relate to actions involved in designing a career plan.
By supporting young people with disability to develop these qualities, we are establishing a pattern for future career development, which includes long-term career sustainability and lifelong outcomes.3
Key strategies for success
Some key strategies to create a successful career plan include [link to other content where appropriate]:
- ensuring it is person-centred
- tailoring it to individual needs, interests, circumstances and cultural background
- making sure that the process is directed by the person with disability who is central in decision making
- ensuring that the young person is supported to identify their ‘conditions for success’ including:
- the types of environments where they feel most comfortable and able to do their best
- any supports, adjustments or flexible arrangements they might need to work safely, confidently and successfully
- supporting the young person’s ability to self-advocate for their conditions for success in the workplace, training settings and in life.
A clear career plan helps young people with disability build confidence, set meaningful goals, and take practical steps toward future employment and career progression. It ensures their strengths and aspirations are recognised, creating structured pathways to self-determination, independence and long‑term success.