At Afford, we know that great outcomes happen when organisations work together with a shared purpose.
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that Afford and aEX Institute (formerly BSI Learning), have been named as finalists in the NSW Disability Inclusion in the VET Sector of the Year Award as part of the 2026 NSW Training Awards.
This is a fantastic recognition of both Afford and aEX Institute’s commitment to creating inclusive education opportunities that empower people with disability to develop new skills, build confidence and pursue meaningful employment.
Spirits were high on the night of graduation and rightly so.
A partnership built on possibility
The winning program was co-designed between Afford and aEX and covered the following four areas: economic wellbeing, human rights, inclusivity and connection and individualised experience.
We also agreed upon a shared inclusion philosophy which looked like this:
Ability first – we meet learners where they are.
Rights-based – grounded in the convention for Rights of People with Disability.
Confidence-building – we moved from participation to vocational identity.
Embedded support – based on needs.
We’re proud to have played a part in helping showcase the impact of this inclusive approach.
“We’re delighted to have been named as a finalist in this prestigious award alongside aEx,” says Afford Chief People & Brand Officer Katelyn Barakat.
“What made this program so powerful was that it was designed around our people. Learning happened in the workplace, connected to real tasks and real goals, making it immediately meaningful.
“We saw our employees gain new skills, confidence and pride in their achievements. The impact goes beyond work. It has opened doors and created new possibilities for their future.”
Together, we’ve seen firsthand how accessible, person-centred training can open doors and create genuine pathways for people to achieve their goals.
The smiles were big and the joy was too.
Creating opportunities that matter
Education and employment are powerful tools for independence, confidence and community participation.
When disability service providers and education partners work together, people with disability benefit from greater choice, stronger support and more opportunities to succeed.
This finalist announcement is a reminder of what’s possible when organisations share a commitment to inclusion and continually look for new ways to remove barriers.
No matter the outcome, being recognised among the state’s leaders in disability inclusion is something to be incredibly proud of.
“It was challenging for them and there were difficult times … especially when a student lost confidence and felt they couldn’t do something … but they all got there in the end,” said Afford Operations Manager for Inclusive Employment, Michael McEvoy, who works alongside the students.
“I am so proud of them because I know how much they gave to complete the course.”
Congratulations to everyone who played a part in this win – especially our clients who attended three-hour classes weekly for nine months. They continued to show up despite many challenges and we look forward to seeing how they apply their new-found skills.
