Context and background: Statistics show that people with disabilities are more exposed than others to unemployment and social exclusion and labour market inclusion has a positive impact on social inclusion. In particular, young people with disabilities (YPWD), 17 to 29 y.o., are at high risk of becoming NEET. In order to support their job placement, the role of Job Coaches has become key, professionals who have the task of accompanying the client in job search and in the subsequent reintegration path. The direct experience of the Jump to Job! partners and the study of previous projects on the same topic show, however, that there is still a lot of room for improvement in Job Coaches intervention with YPWD. Another fundamental person that has proven to be more and more important in supporting job integration is the Peer Mentor, who with her/him experiential contribution can relate to the YPWD in a privileged manner. Their contribution is still undervalued and taken into little consideration. Jump to Job Objectives: Consequently, with the aim of facilitating the job placement of the YPWD, the project aims to achieve the following results: 1) YPWD are more self-confident and have more active approach to the job search; 2) Job Coaches and YPWD have a stronger, more fruitful relationship, supporting real job inclusion; 3) Companies are able to adapt their environment and work process to create a sustainable job for YPWD; 4) Job Coaches’ training is more effective and takes into account clients’ input and insight and is co-produced by YPWD; Activities: ● A need analysis on Peer Mentors and Job Coaching for people with disability in the countries of the project partners is released; ● A first training course will be delivered to 16 people (12 Job Coaches and 4 Peer Mentors); ● A first pilot will be implemented at national level (4 countries) to test the effectiveness of the first training content; ● A feedback analysis on the first training is released; ● A second training course will be delivered to 16 people (12 Job Coaches and 4 Peer Mentors); ● A second pilot will be implemented at national level (4 nations) to test the effectiveness of the second training; ● A feedback analysis on the second training is released; ● A training module for Job Coaches and peers is be delivered - Peer Mentor and Job Coach for young people with disabilities Curriculum. Number and profile of participants: Jump to Job! plans to train 12 Job Coaches and 4 Peer Mentors in their training path; subsequently, during the field tests, the project expects to involve at least 8 other Job Coaches for each participating service provider partner and to use the training contents with at least 25 YPWD for each service provider partner. In total, the project therefore plans to involve at least 32 between Job Coaches and Peer Mentors at least 100 YPWD. Methodology: Training programmes will be given following the principles of the FROG methodology, and will develop around 4 thematic nuclei (Vision, Identity, Communication, Impact) which will provide participants with innovative tools and skills in order to allow them to improve their intervention skills with the YPWD, in line with the objectives of the project. Participants will also be trained in how to successfully support companies in their employment of YPWD. Furthermore, the project includes 2 training and 2 field tests to allow real and incisive feedback on the final formulation of the training module. Research, training, testing and feedback will therefore be interrelated and enclosed in a virtuous circle. Results, impacts and long term benefit: Peer Mentor and Job Coach for young people with disabilities Curriculum and training content will be available online on the project website in 5 languages (English, Dutch, Greek, Spanish, Slovenian) and uploaded on an e-learning platform. Dissemination events of the project results will be held in Greece, Spain, Belgium and Slovenia. In this way the curriculum will be known at European level and could be used by professionals internationally, leading to a real improvement in the job placement and social inclusion of the YPWD.
The core objective of the project is to increase employment among young people with disabilities (YPWD). The related four key objectives are: 1) YPWD are more self-confident and have a more proactive approach to job search. 2) Job coaches and YPWD have a stronger, more fruitful relationship, supporting real job inclusion. 3) Companies are able to adapt their environment and work process to create sustainable jobs for YPWD. 4) The training of the job coaches is effective and takes into account clients’ inputs and insights and is co-produced with YPWD. The project also had the aim to serve the testing and adaptation of the FROG methodology, based on feedback from the peer mentors, job coaches and the experiences with the training of the YPWD. The training programme/curriculum will develop around 4 thematic nuclei (Vision, Identity, Communication, Impact) which will provide participants with innovative tools and skills in order to allow them to improve their intervention skills with the YPWD, in line with the objectives of the project.
Statistics show that people with disabilities are more exposed than others to unemployment and social exclusion, whereas a successful labour market inclusion has a positive impact on social inclusion. Young people with disabilities (YPWD), 17 to 29 years old, are at a high risk of not being employed, in education or training (NEET). In order to support their job placement in a context of supported employment, the role of job coaches, i.e., professionals with the task of accompanying the YPWD in their job search process and in the subsequent reintegration path - is key. Another key person to support a successful and long-term integration of YPWD in the labour market is the role of a peer mentor. This is an expert by experience which can in a privileged manner relate to the YPWD, their needs, experience and life situation. Their potential and actual support capacities are still undervalued. The direct experience of the Jump to Job! partners and the study of previous projects on the same topic, however, had shown that there is still room for improvement when it comes to courses and methodologies for successful interventions of job coaches and peer mentors with YPWD. Their training needs have thus been the main focus of the project.