KUALA LUMPUR – A lot of the focus on the effects of Covid-19 seems to be on businesses and the everyday employee, with very little attention paid to the economic plight faced by the disabled.
Since 2007, Cheshire Homes Selangor has been actively ensuring that those with learning disabilities have equal opportunities at employment through its Economic Empowerment Programme (EEP).
Yesterday, around 20 candidates with learning disabilities were at the Chesire Resource Training Centre for interviews, with the hopes of being shortlisted for a six-month training programme that would see them getting job placements at various companies.
Among them was 18-year-old Zulfaka, who is an avid gamer and a “Grandmaster”-ranked player in Mobile Legends.
Zulfaka hopes that through this programme, he will get employed as a chef.
“I like cooking, which is why I want to be a chef.
“I was also quite nervous about the programme at the start, but now, I am actually feeling quite good,” Zulfaka told The Vibes.
He, along with the other candidates, underwent a two-day orientation before yesterday’s interview.
Cheshire Homes operations manager Karen Sharma said the orientation is basically a briefing for the candidates.
“What we do during the orientation process is that we inform the students about our programme and how we conduct it.”
From school to the workplace
The beginning of the recruitment starts in schools that have classes for those with special needs.
At yesterday’s session, the candidates were former students of SMK Danau Kota and SMK Kota Damansara.
“After getting sponsors for the programme, we inform schools with special-needs students about the EEP, and (the schools) then inform the parents of such students,” said Jerome Fernandez, honorary secretary of Cheshire Homes.
“The parents would then register for the programme, and then the students come in for orientation and interviews.
"The interview process, however, is not like the one we go through where an employer asks the basic ‘why should we hire you?’ type of questions.”
Fernandez said the interview provides an opportunity to assess the candidates, but not in the usual corporate setting.
During the interview, said Cheshire Homes president Datin Khatijah Sulieman, candidates are assessed to see if they are the type who can mingle, take instructions and focus.
“From there, we can see what type of job is suitable for them. Most importantly, we also want to determine if the candidates really want this opportunity and their parents are supportive.”
The parents who were present at yesterday’s session were hopeful and excited for their children.
Linda Crocker, a teacher with a special-needs daughter who enjoys binge-watching Korean dramas, said she is very thankful for the programme.
“I want my daughter to have a future because companies don’t usually take in people with learning disabilities.
“And you know, if this thing does not work out, it’s okay because we at least tried.”
Training employers, too
Candidates who pass the interview will undergo a four-month theory training through Cheshire Homes.
The following courses are available:
> Baking
> Culinary arts
> Information technology
> English
> Entrepreneurship
> General knowledge
“General knowledge classes are conducted so that candidates know their rights as workers with special needs,” said Karen.
On the fourth month, candidates will proceed to a two-month training course with companies that are willing to give them jobs.
The potential employers include Kentucky Fried Chicken, Manhattan Fish Market, Uniqlo, The Chicken Rice Shop, Grand Dorsett Hotel, Shangri-La Hotel and The Saujana Hotel.
Unlike most employment programmes for those with learning disabilities, the EEP stands out as it does not only provide training for the candidates, but also job placements.
“Other courses just give candidates a certificate, but the certificate means nothing without a job,” said Fernandez.
“Here, we give them a job, too.
“Plus, it’s not just the candidates who receive training, but also the employers.”
Emine Ozel, who chaired yesterday’s interview panel, said having an employee with a learning disability requires a different approach.
The challenge with employing those with learning disabilities is not just the candidate, but also the employer.
“Our programme also trains the employer on how to handle employees with learning disabilities,” said Emine. – The Vibes, October 12, 2020
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