Purpose:
Present and discuss the findings and learnings from the Training to Work: transitioning learners who are Deaf or hearing impaired initiative for the purpose of sharing ideas and information.

Initiative overview
In May 2007 Product Services, Training, Queensland Department of Education, Training and the Arts, commenced a phased initiative. The initiative was to develop and implement models of service that support people who are Deaf or hearing impaired transition to and from training into work in line with current Commonwealth Government Welfare to Work reforms.

An examination of existing national and Queensland models of service and consultations with learners, Auslan interpreters, teachers and Disability Services Officers within TAFE institutes were carried out. It was identified that services are driven by difficulties relating to the shortage of accredited interpreters, rather than learner needs. The research and consultations found that:

· there is difficulty in supporting learners in regional areas because of the significant shortage of available accredited Auslan interpreters
· there is wide variation in recruitment practices and conditions of employment for Auslan interpreters
· the use of technology to support the learner and complement Auslan interpreting services is in its infancy, inconsistently used and with significant issues e.g. bandwidth.

In May 2008, a trial of the findings of the research and consultations to improve outcomes for people who are Deaf or hearing impaired was commenced.

The objective of the initiative is to put into practice some of the findings and trial an approach that can increase the capacity and capability of the vocational education and training (VET) sector to respond to the needs of people who are Deaf or hearing impaired. It will provide support to learners needing to access a range of support services to meet both learning and personal needs. This support with developed collaborative relationships means learners benefit from a holistic and coordinated approach assisting their transition to sustainable employment.

The initiative will inform the Queensland VET system of practices and structures that can provide sustainable services for people who are Deaf or hearing impaired transitioning to employment through retraining.

The initiative will conclude in December 2008.

Methodology
This initiative will establish a structure that will support training delivery and transition to employment for Queensland learners who are Deaf or hearing impaired and Auslan interpreters in the VET sector (metropolitan and regional) through the following activities:

· Investigation of employment transition linkages such as the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) Auslan for Employment program
· Trial of technology and services used in other states e.g. Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) for learners in regional areas
· Delivery of coordinated and supported interpreting services to learners
· Investigation of opportunities for partnerships with existing interpreting service providers.