Work Active: supporting the 'forgotten learners' in their journey to work

This report details the 15-month project undertaken by SkillWise, to trial a new approach to teaching and learning (Work Active), with an employment focus, for adult learners with an intellectual disability. The aim of the Work Active project is to develop a practice framework for an internship-based employment training programme for people with an intellectual disability. The intention is to develop a learning programme that combines a classroom component with workplace experience (in the form of an internship). Importantly, this project sets out to develop a teaching and learning model and toolkit based on a collaborative approach that maximises the potential for sustainable employment outcomes for people with an intellectual disability. This includes the development of a set of resources that meet the learning needs of adults with an intellectual disability to help build confidence and motivation, develop job specific skills, together with a range of soft skills.

There are five key teaching and learning aims within the proposed Work Active learning programme: (1) Learn the job specific skills (hard skills); (2) Understand general workplace information, e.g. health and safety, payslips, Kiwisaver, holiday/sick pay, and breaks; (3) Develop a range of soft skills, including communication, team work, self-confidence, self-awareness, use of initiative, teamwork, and time management; (4) Develop an understanding and appreciation of work place culture. This involves developing an understanding of the unwritten 'rules' of each workplace. For example, where to sit in the lunch room; and (5) To evaluate and track the impact of the learning programme on employment outcomes, including degree of sustainability and career development of learners.

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