Improved language and literacy skills are making a big difference to lives

PROVIDING vocational pathways for people with a disability has been the strong focus of Karingal Training.

Karingal’s accredited foundation skills courses are designed for people with an intellectual disability or permanent cognitive impairment.

These carefully-designed programs aim to support learners to improve language and literacy skills, to help them take part in the community and develop confidence and the ability to find meaningful work.

The practical and engaging content addresses individual needs and breaks down barriers to employment and education.

Julie Campbell’s daughter Brianne, 21, is enrolled in the course and she said the skills she has been learning in class are able to be used in her dayto-day-life.

“The course has been really fantastic. Brianne has been really improving on her literacy and numeracy skills,” Ms Campbell said.

“I had noticed after Brianne left school three years ago she was losing a lot of her reading and writing skills, but since she’s been enrolled I’ve seen her regain these as well as learn even more.

“It has been really good for her socially too.

“She is able to talk with cousins interstate on social media and has also made friends in class who she sees socially outside of school.”

Ms Campbell said the next big challenge for Brianne would come when the new supermarket opened near their house.

She hopes her daughter will be able to go and shop independently, using her literacy skills to make a shopping list and numeracy skills to pay the money.

These courses are made available free of charge to all students attracting Skills First funding.