Our approach follows five steps: connect, plan, train, prepare and start work. Of these, planning is the one that shapes everything after it. A good plan is the difference between a series of activities and a genuine pathway.
This article explains what an individual training and support plan is, what goes into one, and why we think it should belong to the participant rather than to the program.
Starting with a conversation
A plan starts with a conversation, not a form. We talk about what the person wants to do, the work they have done before, the things they enjoy and the things they would rather avoid. We also talk honestly about what has made work hard to find or keep in the past.
That conversation usually covers:
- Goals: the kind of work the person is aiming for, now and in the longer term
- Strengths: skills and experience from previous jobs, study, caring, volunteering and life
- Barriers: practical, personal or health-related challenges that need to be planned around
- Preferences: location, hours, type of workplace and how they like to learn
- Support needs: anything that would make training or work more achievable
What the plan includes
Once we have a shared picture, we agree a plan. It sets out the steps between where someone is now and where they want to be. Depending on the person, that might include pre-employment workshops, accredited training through one of our partner registered training organisations, help with transport or equipment, referrals to specialist services, and preparation for interviews.
Every step should have a reason. If a course is in the plan, it is there because it leads somewhere the participant wants to go, not because it was available.
It belongs to the participant
We think of the plan as belonging to the participant. They help write it, they agree to it, and they can ask to change it. That matters for two reasons.
First, people are far more likely to follow through on a plan they had a hand in shaping. Second, people know their own lives. A plan that looks perfect on paper but does not fit around school pick-ups, medical appointments or a second job will not survive its first difficult week.
Plans are meant to change
Circumstances change. Someone might start a course and realise a different field suits them better. A family situation might mean training needs to wait. A job opportunity might come up sooner than expected.
When that happens, we revisit the plan rather than abandoning it. Regular check-ins with the same point of contact make this easier, because there is always someone who knows the history and can help adjust the next steps.
A plan is not a contract. It is a map, and maps get redrawn when you learn more about the terrain.
Where training fits
Training is often part of a plan, but not always. Some people are ready to apply for work straight away and mainly need help with confidence, applications and introductions to employers. Others benefit from building foundation skills first. Some need a specific qualification for the role they want.
Where accredited training is part of the plan, it is delivered by our partner RTOs. We help participants understand their options so the training they choose connects to real opportunities. You can read more about our thinking in training that connects to real outcomes.
Taking the first step
If you would like to talk about what a plan could look like for you, contact us or call 1800 993 557. Caseworkers are welcome to get in touch about referrals too.