What is the Compass Employment Skills Program?The Compass Employment Skills Program helps people with disability build practical skills, confidence and independence through meaningful activities and real-world experience. Each person can follow a pathway suited to their interests, abilities, support needs and goals.
Do I need to want a job to participate?No. Employment does not need to be your immediate goal. You may want to build confidence, develop practical skills, establish a routine, explore different types of work or participate in meaningful activities. Compass will help identify the pathway that feels right for you.
What employment support pathways are available?Compass provides pathways for people at different stages. These include building foundational skills, exploring work environments, preparing for employment, and finding and maintaining meaningful work. You do not need to choose a pathway before contacting us.
What skills can participants develop?Depending on the person’s goals, participants can develop communication, teamwork, confidence, independence, workplace awareness, personal organisation and practical task skills. Support can also include preparing for work, exploring employment interests and learning how to manage workplace routines.
Where does the practical learning take place?Compass operates its own cafés, farm, retail, hospitality, creative and media environments. This allows participants to learn through practical activities in real settings without having to wait for an external business to provide an opportunity.
What types of work can participants explore?Opportunities may include hospitality, food preparation, farming, horticulture, retail, customer service, creative production, multimedia, woodworking, metalworking, 3D printing and other practical enterprise activities. Available options will depend on the participant’s interests, goals and location.
Can the program help someone find paid employment?Yes. For participants who want to pursue employment, Compass can help build workplace skills, explore suitable opportunities, prepare for employment and provide ongoing support. Employment cannot be guaranteed, but the focus is on finding opportunities that suit the individual’s strengths, interests and support needs.
Can employment skills support be funded through the NDIS?Employment-related support may be funded through the NDIS when it aligns with the participant’s goals and approved supports. Every NDIS plan is different, so the Compass team can discuss the program with you and help determine the most appropriate next step.
Can families, support coordinators or schools enquire?Yes. Participants, family members, carers, support coordinators and school transition staff are welcome to contact Compass. With the participant’s agreement, we can work together to understand their interests, goals and support needs.
Does Compass provide support for school leavers?Yes. Compass can support school leavers and young people who want to build confidence, explore work environments or prepare for employment. The pathway is tailored to the individual rather than assuming every school leaver has the same employment goal.
Where is the Employment Skills Program available?Compass provides employment skills support across the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture and Gympie regions. The activities and environments available may vary between Compass locations, so our team will help identify the most suitable option.
What happens after I submit an enquiry?A Compass team member will contact you to learn more about who the support is for, what they enjoy and what they would like to achieve. You do not need to understand the different pathways or have everything decided before making an enquiry.
How do I get started?Complete the enquiry form and select whether the support is for you, someone you care about or someone you provide support for. The Compass team will then contact you to begin a pathway conversation.
