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In the future, IRS Project aims to be a strong and well
known Project to increase employment opportunities for disabled people in
Cambodia.
Main Activities:
1. Interviews / Counseling
Currently on average, approximately twenty new clients are
registered each month. In 2003, 238 with total of 2345 clients. When new
clients are identified, comprehensive baseline information is obtained
through an interview process. All staff of the IRS project has been trained
in interview skills, and depending on individual job descriptions, some have
received training in counseling skills. The rational for this method is to
assist the client and overall process in identifying unseen issues that may
inhibit progress and affect the continued and coherent nature of client
activities. If IRS staff knows more clearly a client’s history and more
about personal situations that surround them, then sound client-focused
information and assistance can be provided. IRS recognizes clients as a
whole person and takes a ‘career/personal development’ approach when
providing assistance. IRS has also been fortunate in hiring a staff member
who is a graduate from the Psychology Department at the Royal University of
Phnom Penh. In addition to her day-to-day tasks as Counselor / Trainer, she
also provides formal and informal assistance to other staff members with
issues related to counseling.
2. Access to Training / Job Placement &
Enterprise Development / Rehabilitation
The IRS project has developed a custom database. Client information
gathered from initial interviews and subsequent activities is entered and
stored here and later cross-referenced with detailed information on a wide
range of service providers and job opportunities. Data concerning service
providers is kept current and updated every six-month. Job opportunities are
kept current when new opportunities are identified or on an ‘as needed’
basis. Information concerning clients is kept current and follow up contact
is made with clients who have not having been active with the IRS project
for more than one year.
2.1. Training
Training takes on several
forms. Depending on client needs, desires and current abilities, available
opportunities are sought with: skilled or small business persons willing to
provide training or instruction, vocational training centers, education
facilities or short workshops / seminars offered by organizations. Some
companies and businesses have provided IRS clients with the opportunity to
do ‘job shadowing’ as an exposure to the reality of a desired job and work
environment.
In mid-2002, IRS began the ‘door-to-door’ campaign. Businesses in
pre-selected areas of the city were canvassed by field staff and approached
to see if they were interested or capable of providing opportunities in
training, instruction or employment to disabled persons. At the same time
these business owners are informed of IRS and the services it provides to
the rehabilitation sector. At least 75 businesses have been contacted. Of
these only three offered to give opportunities to clients. IRS still feels
this is a worthwhile activity and will continue on a modest basis for the
remainder of 2003 with an evaluation at the end of the year. Apprenticeship
and on-the-job training are other areas in which IRS is exploring to create
opportunities for clients.
For many clients, IRS has assisted them in obtaining their first employment
experience. What many employers and some employees take for granted
concerning the ‘work ethic’ is a concept that many others need to learn and
may require assistance in understanding. In mid-2002, IRS project initiated
and began development of a new activity referred to as ‘Job Keeping’. One
garment factory employing 41 disabled employees was used to explore methods
of coaching clients in order for them to not just maintain their current
position but also to explore methods in obtaining possible promotions.
After-hour workshops have been conducted to discuss company policy, conflict
resolution, awareness of disability issues and additional work issues. This
activity has proven very beneficial to disabled employees and has been well
received by the garment factory’s management. IRS recognizes this to be an
excellent opportunity to offer similar types of sessions that would include
non-disabled staff as well as various levels of management assisting them in
becoming more aware of issues and challenges faced by the disabled staff.
This not only helps the disabled employee remain employed, but also for the
employer to hold on to dedicated and valuable staff.
In 2003, 148 clients received training, and 89 clients received employment
opportunities.
2.2. In-House Trainings / Workshops
Since 1999, IRS has provided three trainings: Goal Setting,
Job Seeking & Small Business to clients and to partner
organizations in order to assist Persons With Disabilities to realize their
personal potential in their own environment; prepare and present themselves
in a clear and honest way to employers and to understand the basic
mechanisms of identifying, establishing and maintaining a small business.
These trainings are short 1-1½ day workshops facilitated by the
Counselor/Trainer with one Assistant. Trainings are conducted either at
project locations, or mobilized to areas where it is more efficient to train
larger numbers of clients in their home village or skills training center.
In 2002, 129 unskilled and unemployed clients attended trainings. 36% of
those clients now have a job or small business. Another 44% of those clients
went on to gain a viable skill. Of the 91 persons obtaining a job or
starting their own business, 55% attended the IRS in-house trainings. In
mid-2002, the three training curriculums were updated. At the same time,
more effective monitoring and evaluating tools were developed in order to
track progress and provide accurate information for future modifications. It
is expected in 2003 there will be a marked increase in the effectiveness of
these trainings.
In the first quarter of 2003, short workshops was developed, called the ‘Job
Club’, and conducted with currently employed clients and clients seeking
employment. These workshops will be facilitated by the IRS Counselor /
Trainer with the intention of an active exchange of experiences and ideas
concerning employment and self-employment. Non-employed clients will have
more confidence and a greater understanding of how to identify a desirable
type of employment or small business, search for a job, present themselves
honestly to a potential employer and clearly understand what many employers
expect from employees.
2.3. Job Placement
Identifying employment opportunities is done much in the same manner as with
identifying training opportunities. Client’s needs, desires and abilities
are matched with opportunities by way of the database. In addition, clients
are assisted in developing their CV or Resume and writing cover letters.
Assistance with completing job applications and pre-interview coaching is
provided when needed. 2002 brought 83 employment placements to clients and
89 clients in 2003.
2.4. Enterprise Development
Due to the highly competitive nature of the job market and the
overall difficulty for disabled persons in finding jobs, assisting clients
in developing their own business is an activity in which IRS is placing more
effort. Many clients are originally from rural area of Cambodia who has come
to the city seeking employment and IRS is finding that a significant number
feel much more comfortable running their own business rather than working
for someone else in a factory or office. In 2002, 12 clients were assisted
in establishing their own business. In 2003, double number of clients was
receiving additional assistance in enterprise development.
2.5. Rehabilitation
Clients requiring physical rehabilitation or medical services are
assisted through the same process as training, job placement and enterprise
development. Client needs and situation are cross-referenced with services
and service availability. In many cases IRS plays a large role in this
activity by providing transportation with the project vehicle or
facilitating it by other means. In two separate cases IRS provided
transportation to expecting mothers in the project vehicle and or
accompanied by IRS staff.
3. Follow Up and Client Monitoring
The importance of this activity cannot be over emphasized. For a
large number of disabled people, IRS is providing assistance with their
first experience in skills training, job seeking / employment /
self-employment and perhaps rehabilitation. With this new experience clients
may encounter confusing and discouraging situations. Issues concerning
loneliness and being away from family members, social dynamics of the given
situation and the overall reality of the environment may not be what many
people expected or where prepared for. Regular, frequent and scheduled
sessions are held with clients who have been referred or placed in training,
employment / self-employment and rehabilitation. In 2002, 476 or 100% of
clients were followed up to/at training, 161 or 100% to/at rehab and 373
or 100% to/at employment. If and when
difficulties arise, clients then have support from IRS to assist in
overcoming problems or the support and guidance in choosing alternative
options. For many, simply knowing they are not alone and can access support
if needed, has been of great benefit to clients, providing a more enjoyable
experience and success.
The total number of persons placed into employment has
been 318. IRS has contacted 294 of those clients and found 277
remaining in their original job or that have moved on to another form of
employment 16 clients were unable to be found. In the majority of
cases, clients receiving rehabilitation and training services are followed
up throughout the provision period and clients obtaining employment or
self-employment are followed up for six-months.
Clients found to be experiencing challenging circumstances are closely
monitored. Case management files are established and challenging issues are
discussed with the project manager, project counselor/trainer and other
relevant staff in scheduled weekly meetings where strategies and solutions
are addressed.
>> See IRS-Annual Report 2003 ( View by
Acrobat Reader 5.0)
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