Young adults with an intellectual disability can now develop their skills and connect with their communities in a new way thanks to a supported employment program, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for accessibility, announced in a media release Tuesday (Feb 13).
“For many young people, a job is more than a paycheque: it’s a way to develop independence, build new relationships and grow self-confidence,” said Fontaine. “This program will help young Manitobans with intellectual disabilities find and thrive in employment opportunities that work for them, while also helping Manitoba’s workplaces become more inclusive.”
Developed in consultation with Community Living disABILITY Services (CLDS), employment service providers and Abilities Manitoba, the Improving Quality of Life Employment Pilot Project will provide young adults aged 18 to 25 with employment services including transition planning, finding employment prospects, job skills and employment preparedness training, and job coaching.
The pilot project is being delivered by CLDS in partnership with nine service provider agencies located in Winnipeg, Brandon, Selkirk, Steinbach and Beausejour.
The program represents a new employment opportunity for Manitobans with intellectual disabilities who are not yet eligible for CLDS day services and are not currently accessing employment services. Eligible Manitobans can apply by completing an online employment discovery tool.
Programming is planned to begin this spring for adults aged 21 to 25 and this summer for those aged 18 to 20, the minister said.
For more information on the Improving Quality of Life Employment Pilot Project or to complete the employment discovery tool, visit Province of Manitoba | fs – Improving Quality of Life Employment Pilot Project (gov.mb.ca)
