Destination Employment

Blaine Hrabi, Regional Coordinator

Destination Employment is a job readiness program for unemployed adults with learning disabilities. It began on July 8 at the Literacy Alliance office. Destination Employment was developed by the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada and it is funded through the HRDC/Opportunities Fund.

Blaine Hrabi is our Regional Coordinator of Destination Employment. He has been busy contacting employment counsellors, teachers, employers and community leaders about the program. “Everyone I speak with about the program is very excited. It is unique in that it offers individuals the opportunity to get a full assessment of their learning difficulties and the training to help them understand how these difficulties may have an impact on their ability to secure full-time employment.”

The program is designed to reach two target groups. The first is adults with learning disabilities who want to integrate or reintegrate into the workforce. Research has shown that learning disabilities are neurologically based, that they are lifelong and that they may exist in combination.

The second target group is employers. An important goal of Destination Employment is to sensitize employers to the vast pool of talent that adults with learning disabilities possess and the valuable contribution that these employees can make. An important component of this program is the four to eight week job placement. Host employers will be contacted and given information about the impact of learning disabilities in the workplace. Plans to achieve successful work placements will be made with the host employer, the program participant and the regional coordinator. Meeting this goal is vital for the success of Destination Employment.

Destination Employment will run from July to next March. During this time fourteen participants will receive training, skills and knowledge to assist them to secure long term employment.