Why Are SLES and DES Different?

Overview of the SLES system

School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) is a part of the (NDIS) National Disability Insurance Scheme where a person working in the school is planning to leave the school and start to work in any other firm in their final years. It mainly also supports young people who are disabled and transiting into some other employment directly after school. This program benefits the participants in building their job skills and adds confidence to join the new workforce through age 22. It fits the person embarking on a new independent force within the community. 

This system also supports young adults in fulfilling their career aspirations and getting a well-recognized qualification to achieve their employment goals. SLES helps them take this next step in their lives, prepare them for this journey, and gain employment. This approach is meant for participants who have no idea where to apply and how to get a job after schooling. SLES is individually designed to suit their learning needs. The professionals work to understand the participants’ needs and interests and help them develop confidence and core skills that may be learned through a SLES program only.

Important skills that are developed in this SLES journey include –

• Job ready skills
• Time management
• Travel skills
• Personal development skills
• Resume and cover letter writing
• Teamwork skills
• Communication skills
• Discovery activities
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Preparing for an interview
• Work experience
• Money handling and management

SLES program can also provide opportunities to understand safe work practices depending on your preferences and enhance the above-mentioned career-specific skills. The term period of support in SLES is two years, and you can try a range of different work experience programs and check which of them suits you the most. To qualify for SLES, one must complete their educational 12th std and be below 25 years old.

To get proper information about this program, contact some of the best SLES providers within your vicinity. They are available to help young people and disabled people to find sustainable employment. So, if you are keen to embark from schooling and transition into working life, discuss your goals with the providers and get tailor-made solutions or assistance in this journey.

Overview of the DES system

DES disability employment services are rightfully meant for the employment of participants who are disabled in some or the other way. This employment system helps such people connect with the right types of jobs and offers them ongoing support in need. It also offers pre-employment support before recruitment in any role commences without extra costs. 

Thus, DES supports candidates settling in a new role and offers all types of work across industries. In some cases, this program also provides specific job roles concerning their impairment or illness. 

To understand which area is better for them, the candidates can connect with an experienced DES provider who works closely with such people and try to meet their needs. Thus, such agencies understand your preferences, lead to more mutually beneficial outcomes for the candidate, and also lend sustainable employment opportunities for people with disability. While they focus on more individual placements, they also meet the demands of project-led approaches and source suitably skilled candidates. So, go for innovative and demand-led partnerships to get mutually beneficial outcomes.

What is the difference between SLES and DES?

To know exactly the difference between SLES and DES, you must reflect on the specifics mentioned in their overview. In Australia, these programs benefit people who want to enter employment. Both approaches provide benefits related to job search, which match the criteria and abilities of candidates and ensure their goals drive a perfect job choice for candidates. 

But the main difference between the supports is that SLES is funded through the NDIS to work, and DES is an open employment platform with no plan. 

Candidates who have recently left school can join this SLES and receive intensive weekly support. At the same time, for DES, one must pass the legal working age of above 18 and have a developmental disability to be eligible for service. 

Moreover, you need to be able to work eight hours or more per week, unlike SLES, where they train and support you with building exercises to prepare you for the eight hours per week capacity. So, it is advisable to take individualized service support for up to two years from SLES and then ultimately get ready to be a participant in DES.