Employment Services

The Vendor is required to provide to increase employment opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities by facilitating access to skills training and employment supports.
- Services will be tailored to each person to minimize barriers.
- Fostering an inclusive labour market relates to the work to support employers and aligning skills with the workforce.
- This means proponents will be working with employers to integrate individuals into the workforce and provide individual continuous learning opportunities.
- Employment Services is intended to enable Clients with a developmental disability to participate in the labour market through employment. Individuals are supported to identify employment goals, participate in training opportunities to build skills and receive support to obtain and maintain employment. A key outcome is for individuals to secure and maintain employment.
• Service approach: employment services are based on a structured, person-centered service approach that supports individuals with developmental disabilities to obtain and maintain employment.
• Access to inclusive environments: supports enable individuals to participate in training opportunities, receive job coaching and other supports and enter into inclusive employment settings with appropriate supports, as required.
• Emphasis on independence: services focus on strengthening individual capacity, self-determination, and independence through participation in training and employment activities.
• Integration with existing resources: services are designed and delivered to work in coordination with existing community groups and/or the business sector and supports available to all clients, avoiding duplication of services.
• Skill development: supports contribute to the development of transferrable employment and life skills that align with the individual’s goals and long-term outcomes
• Employment readiness: services promote preparation for competitive, integrated, paid employment by supporting skill development, work-related experiences, and transition planning where appropriate.
• Employment placement: services support clients in pursuing, securing and maintaining employment.
• Long-term outcomes: the intended outcomes include individuals having the skills and knowledge needed to be employable and find long-term, stable employment. Outcomes should also aim to include enhanced independence, and reduced reliance on ongoing paid supports over time.
- Individuals with developmental disabilities aged 16-20 will be served in Youth Employment Services.
- The Employment Services program supports approximately 500 individuals with disabilities.
- This includes supporting individuals in active employment providing job maintenance supports, as well as activities related to job development, pre-employment or job search.
- This program is intended to find employers who are willing to create meaningful jobs for individuals with disabilities.
- This could be in partnership with community groups and/or the business sector to increase the success of the project.
- Service Descriptions for Employment Services and Youth Employment Services
• Potential Employer Services:
o Community presentations to strengthen partnerships and create employment opportunities
o Be knowledgeable about and a resource to Employers on grants and other benefits for accommodations.
o Reduce stigma and increase inclusion for a work environment, how hiring all abilities is beneficial to the employer
• Pre-Employment Services:
o Resume development
o Interview preparation
o Barrier reduction and increased independence
• Placements:
o Support for early success in employment for both the Individual and the Employer/ Staff
o Engaging natural supports in the work environment to support the Individual to have a successful employment experience.
• Post Placement Supports:
o Working with the Individual and Employer when concerns arise to prevent job loss.