20 people with disability had the opportunity to do a job-shadowing experience in Bristol, UK, thanks to the Me2! project, which is co-financed by the EU’s European Social Fund. They were accompanied by support workers.
The job-shadowing experience was also made possible through collaboration with Brandon Trust, an organisation based in Bristol, UK, which aims to assist disabled people find employment.
During a meeting for participants in the job-exposure experience, Minister for Justice, Dialogue and the Family Chris Said underscored the importance of employment and the valid contribution people with disability can give to the economy. He stated that employment helps disabled people further develop their skills, including social skills, and allows them to attain financial independence.
Minister Said said that currently in Malta there are 900 people with a disability in full-time employment, and another 200 who work on a part-time basis. He explained how projects such as Me2! do not only help participants, but also the companies that offer job experiences to people with a disability. He stated that productivity is at its highest at inclusive work-places.
The major benefit reaped from this initiative was the setting up, a few months ago, of the Me2! Cooperative, which is providing its members with more opportunities towards further social integration by giving them an active role in the economy and society.
Stephen Vella, Me2! project leader, explained the details of the Bristol visit and the positive impact left on all the participants. As project leader, he was responsible for and accompanied the two groups to the UK. Each participant has returned to Malta as a new person.
Dr Said presented a certificate of participation to 10 beneficiaries who went to Bristol last month together with their support workers. This was the second group of participants and support workers who carried out job-shadowing with Brandon Trust in Bristol. The first visit took place in October 2011, from which another 10 people with disability had benefited from various job experiences.
The main aim of the Me2! Project is to help people with disability to develop their abilities so that they can have better work prospects. This project started in 2009 and has helped nine people with disability find full-time employment, 31 people are receiving support to maintain their current employment, while another 21 project participants are being provided with training thanks to educational institutions such as MCAST, so that they can obtain new skills. At the same time, 68 people with disability were given a job-exposure experience at different workplaces.
For more information about the Me2! Project the public may visit www.sapport.gov.mt.