Beginning of Supported Employment Service: 2001

In the words of one of the professionals from Fundación Prodis, supported employment means “providing the necessary support to people with intellectual disabilities in regular companies to ensure the most real and effective inclusion possible. It should be a rewarding experience for the individual, helping them in all aspects of their life, and for the company and its employees, an equally positive experience.”

The program is aimed at young people who are able to work independently. Another path offered by Prodis is through a special employment center, which is designed for young people who can work but need to do so in more protected environments. Since its inception, the service has helped more than 190 people find employment. 97% of the participants in supported employment are already working, while 3% are either looking for a job, changing jobs, or pursuing further training. More than 70% of the hires made through the service are on permanent contracts.

Prodis’s job mediators are key figures for labor inclusion. Initially, they meet with companies to analyze the available positions and the tasks that could be performed by individuals trained by Prodis. From that point, they work on raising awareness: providing guidelines and tools to the company in preparation for the incorporation of people with intellectual disabilities. Once the individual is employed, support is provided on the job. At first, the accompaniment is intensive, daily, and in-person, ensuring that socially, the employee feels comfortable and that, in terms of work, they can perform their tasks as effectively as possible, leading to a comprehensive and gradual inclusion.

Providing necessary support in both contexts involves adjusting expectations to make the process as realistic as possible, matching the individual to a specific job role. The work includes collaborating with the company to adapt and adjust the position and its demands. Vocational preferences are also taken into account. In the Promentor program, the focus is on aligning vocation and expectations with the reality of the labor market, considering both the industry and the specific tasks to be performed.

The supported employment team works with the three key stakeholders: the company, the person with a disability, and the family. For the professionals, the key to success is the relationship and bond of care and trust that is established with the individuals who secure employment.
Two people are responsible for prospecting and identifying companies. The team helps businesses identify positions where individuals can be incorporated. They assist in designing the job role, presenting available positions and profiles, and raising awareness. Preparing the ground is essential, especially in today’s open job market.

Each week, the team of job mediators and prospectors meets with the Director of Career Guidance to review case progress. They work proactively, anticipating challenges. Before the new hire starts, an awareness session is held with the employees who will be coworkers of the individual with intellectual disabilities. Sometimes a second session is needed midway through the process to ensure that the experience remains satisfactory for the company.

COMPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES

Prodis’s Supported Employment Service is complemented by other programs and activities that provide educational and social support:

• School for Public Sector Exam Preparation for people with intellectual disabilities.
• Master’s in Business and Legal Services: Dual training in companies combined with theoretical sessions focused on job-related skills and techniques, with a special emphasis on new technologies.
• Avanzas (Pre-University Program) for young people preparing for their first job
• Leisure Group.
• Independent Living Workshop.
• Sports Schools: Zumba, paddle tennis, gymnastics.
• Café with Prodis: Training and awareness-raising for companies
• Connectad@s: New technology training workshop
• English School
• Training for teachers of people with intellectual disabilities.
• Proyecto Alianza (Alliance Project): Awareness and training for companies to foster the inclusion of people with disabilities. It includes the services of awareness and training through Café with Prodis (consultancy, information, and advisory services).

SECTORS WITH THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF INCLUSION

They specialize in training for performing auxiliary tasks or customer service roles in any sector. They facilitate inclusion in all types of companies, including hotels, catering, logistics, administrative support, etc.

SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS AND COMPANY MANAGERS OPINIONS

The different aspects of life are interconnected. Employment affects interpersonal relationships and independence, and vice versa.
Regarding the company, simple and fluid communication is essential. It should be easy to talk to employees, supervisors, and managers, making it a welcoming and approachable company.

Success of supported employment. It is difficult to establish quantitative benchmarks or measurements. I believe qualitative assessment is more revealing when working with people. The testimonies of colleagues and the individuals involved are important. When you see that the situation is comfortable for everyone, that the tasks are well-learned, and that the experience is positive for all parties, that’s when you know it’s working. Feedback from all parties helps understand where the inclusion process stands.

It’s a living process. Sometimes, you step back, continuing to monitor the situation but without needing to be as present. However, there are moments when more support is needed again, for example, when tasks change, the workplace or colleagues shift, or there’s a new support figure, or a new management program is introduced. In these instances, we step back in, and then, once things are stable, we step out again. It’s a dynamic, evolving program.

One area for improvement could be developing digital tools and applications for supported employment. These applications could help manage support in terms of time, workday organization, communication, etc. The digitalization of supported employment is possible. However, there are no universal improvements because what benefits one person may not work for others.
There are increasingly more remote work environments, and many tasks have been digitized. I think it is essential to train individuals in digital skills, including Excel and other applications.

We often work with young people who go through our program at some point. Prodis accompanies them from the time they leave school until they are integrated into the regular workforce.

PEOPLE HIRED THROUGH SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT OPINIONS

I learn a lot from my colleagues. One of them recently taught me how to calculate percentages in Excel. She explained it very well, step by step. Thanks to her, I’ve learned something new. But every day, I learn something new. This makes someone like me, with different talents, feel happy every day and very motivated.

If it weren’t for my job coach, I’d be lost. With mediation, they help you find the job you want, support you, advise you, assist with administrative tasks, and help you relate to others in a work environment.

My colleagues have accepted me for who I am, not because I have a disability. As a person who comes to work and feels like one of them. Once, the CEO thanked me for being part of the company. I feel like I am part of the team.

To those who feel discouraged about employment, I would say they should stay motivated and not get frustrated. It’s important to stay motivated because there are many resources for training, studying, and working, and eventually, they can achieve their goals.