“We should view employer engagement as a continuum – new relationship, working relationship, stronger working relationship, partnership and strategic partnership.”
Evidence expert
Overview
Building meaningful relationships with employers takes time. Creating the right employment opportunities often requires ongoing conversations, trust-building, and persistence.
The ‘ladder of employer engagement’ frames this process as a continuum, where each ‘step’ on the ladder reflects a deeper level of commitment and collaboration. It shows how relationships with employers can evolve - helping disability employment services nurture employer partnerships that lead to more inclusive hiring and sustainable jobs.
The ladder begins with raising awareness and interest, then moves into initial engagement activities such as workplace tours or work trials. Over time, this can develop into active collaboration, where employers not only offer roles but also adapt their practices. As trust and value are established, some employers may progress to deeper partnerships—co-designing inclusive hiring strategies and even becoming advocates who promote disability employment to peers and the wider business community.
Key strategies for success
Strong relationships are built over time by consistently demonstrating the benefits of working with employment service providers and of employing people with disability. Strategies include:
- Keeping communication open and ongoing
- Continuously learning about the employer and staying up-to-date with their needs
- Finding regular opportunities for engagement, including:
- Work experience and job trials
- Free training opportunities, such as disability responsiveness or inclusive recruitment practices
- Updated needs assessments
- Networking and peer learning events, such as membership in employer groups focusing on inclusive employment.