Opportunities for people with disabilities
Melbourne’s Jewish Care is encouraging people in the community living with disability to apply for its new Pathways to Employment program, scheduled to start early this year.
Program participants
The 8 to 10-week program will focus on developing participants’ employment and social skills to assist them with gaining employment and interaction in the workplace. It will also aim to increase students’ confidence and help expand their networks in the community.
To be held in an informal classroom environment at The Manders Villas, Caulfield for two hours per week, the program is developed and delivered by Jewish Care’s Employment and Education Centre as a Learn Local pre-accredited course (funded by the State Department of Education through the Adult, Community and Further Education Board), and supported by Jewish Care’s Disability Services.
The Pathways to Employment program is part of Jewish Care’s Employment and Education Centre’s services provided to people living with disability, to assist them in finding open employment.
Nine students from the first intake of the program (previously called ‘Learn, Explore, Discover’) graduated from the course in December 2015 at a ceremony, where they celebrated with family and friends.
2015 program graduate, Alasdair Clark said: “I found out how to make a resume, cover letter, get a job and how to test my data entry skills. My social skills have improved and I like meeting new friends and catching up with old friends. The social skills will also help me communicate with my housemates.”
“The core focus of our work in supporting people with disability is to promote and encourage their full social and economic participation in society, of which employment is a key aspect,” Jewish Care Disability Services Manager, Dan Kisumbi said.
“It was a pleasure to see the program’s participants get actively involved in the course and see first-hand the positive impact it’s had on their confidence and motivation to get jobs. We look forward to continuing our support for past and future participants on their journey to gain meaningful employment.”
The new program is anticipated to be launched in March.
To express interest in attending the Pathways to Employment program, please contact Education Co-ordinator Yael Bayer on 8517 5986 or [email protected] as soon as possible.
