Suitability of employment-related training or course

The employment-related training and courses a client must attend and participate in as part of their Upskilling sanction will generally be online.

In some instances, an in-person employment-related training or course can be recommended or approved if MSD staff consider it suitable for the client's circumstances.

Suitability is based on a client's level of expertise and skills.

There are some general factors that should be considered when determining if a training or course is suitable for a client. For example:

• where a client lives (e.g. the distance the client has to travel to get to the training or course)
• a client's age and family situation (e.g. caretaking responsibilities at certain times)
• any previous job experience and education
• any specific barriers to employment that an employment-related training or course may address, (e.g. a health condition or disability, or caring responsibilities)
• if a client has already participated in other employment-related training or courses, or any of MSD's other employment programmes or services

Note a client's individual circumstances will determine what is considered suitable. Each activity should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

MSD has a wide range of Digital Suite courses that staff can assign to clients. These courses should be considered for clients who have Upskilling imposed on them first before any other option.

MSD should consider assigning a different suitable employment-related training or course, or assigning a different type of sanction if:

• a client has already completed the MSD Digital Suite courses or
• the Digital Suite courses are not relevant for the client

In some situations, a client may participate in a different employment-related training or course that is not part of MSD's Digital Suite.

This will only be appropriate and approved by MSD if it is considered suitable for the client and meets the Upskilling requirements.

Alternative suitable employment-related training or courses could include (but are not limited to):

• online or in-person education courses offered by external providers (e.g. courses run through local libraries, Coursera, edX or Skillshare)
• MSD-contracted courses such as (e.g. CV services or Work Readiness courses)
• any other suitable courses identified by staff or clients that meet the requirements of the sanction (e.g. a barista course)

It may be difficult for MSD to identify the legitimacy of these employment-related training or courses as well as attendance and participation as they are not included in MSD's Digital Suite courses. This is why other suitable employment-related training, and courses must be approved at the discretion of staff.

Note as this is a non-financial sanction, there is no funding for clients to pay for costs associated with training or courses, such as course fees, travel, internet, a computer, or device.

Before imposing an employment-related training or course on a client, MSD must be confident that the training or course has sufficient training, coursework and activity(s) to fulfil the required hours and weeks needed to complete Upskilling.

If MSD is unsure that an employment-related training or course would meet the Upskilling requirements, it should not be imposed on a client.

Note a client may be able to complete Upskilling through more than one employment-related training or course.

Francesca failed a work obligation, and her case manager has imposed Upskilling as a non-financial sanction. Francesca has already completed most of MSD's Digital Suite courses while looking for work. Francesca's case manager determines that assigning her another course from MSD's Digital Suite would not be suitable.

Francesca asks to do a UX design course through Coursera as she has seen roles available in this industry and is interested in this work. Coursera is a reputable agency and Francesca's case manager determines that this course meets the requirements of the Upskilling sanction. This course is assigned to Francesca as a suitable employment-related training or course.