Training & Consultancy

A range of workshops/modules are available that address the key methods and activities when delivering Supported Employment type services. The workshops below can be taken either individually or combined to create a broader course. Events duration can be from around two hours to two full days depending on your needs and preferences. Events and discussions can be customised.

PLEASE NOTE: Whilst the Training workshops are about the Supported Employment model, these need not be a specifically Supported Employment sessions. It could be applicable and relevant to SE, IPS, AFT, VTA, Arbeidstrening, Oppfolging, Avklaring. The workshops will be delivered in English.

Mike Evans is a very committed mediator with good knowledge of Norwegian conditions and the language has not been an obstacle.

Through the courses we get practical training from Mike Evans on how to connect and create relationships with employers in order to achieve successful work practices.

Understanding and using the Supported Employment model

This Workshop will look at where the SE Model and methodology came from and how it has developed over the years in Europe and in particular, Norway. The session will discuss the strengths and the weaknesses of Supported Employment and we will explore each step in the process from the initial meeting with the job seeker through to meeting with employers and to ultimately finding and supporting a successful job outcome for your job seekers. As well as looking at each of the 5 stages, we will take some time to look at the role of the Job Coach within the SE Model.

The session is potentially a wide-ranging area of topics, activities, problems and solutions.

Organising Employment Services

There are a range of actions that agencies can adopt to deliver employment services to secure job outcomes for your job seekers. This Workshop will explore the issues and activities that can be used to improve the consistency of the services that organisations provide. We will discuss some of the factors that can determine the success of a project as well as offering suggestions and posing rhetorical questions.

The session will explore each step in the process from the initial meeting with the job seeker through to meeting with employers and to ultimately finding a successful job outcome for your job seekers.

The session is an overview of actions that may be considered to benefit your staff and the organisation. The aim is to provide ideas and information that Leaders and Managers can consider to best suit their needs.

Job Coach role and Recruitment

This Workshop is aimed at Leaders, Managers and Supervisors who may have a responsibility to develop employment services and employing staff in the role of a Job Coach.

To recruit a suitable Job Coach, Leaders must be fully aware of the role, tasks and skills that are involved; they should be aware of the variety of roles that Job Coaches encounter as well as the problems they often face.

The session will discuss the responsibilities and duties of a Job Coach before looking at the recruitment steps that is focussed on the recruitment and selection of an appropriate Job Coach. The session will explore the options for the Leader/Manager to assist them conduct a formal and professional recruitment process.

Job Finding and Marketing Techniques

Companies and employers are crucial customers and potential partners for employment service providers that intend to (re)integrate people with disadvantage into the labour market. In addition to the primary goal, which is to place job seekers into sustainable jobs, organisations increasingly need to cooperate with companies to organise on-the-job assessment, work experience and vocational training.

Efficient marketing and job finding requires a systematic and coherent organisational approach, not to depend only on some individual professionals. Without employers there are no employment outcomes, and we must be aware that approaches to employers should be tailored to match the situation and circumstances (one size does not fit all). It is through training, research and continuous development that successful job finding and marketing can be achieved through working effectively and efficiently with employers.

This workshop will explore the formal and informal methods of contacting employers and will also discuss the issues to consider when preparing for interviews and meeting employers.

Using Work Experience Placements

The concept of work experience placements for job seekers as a tool to help individuals find and maintain paid employment in the labour market is an issue of much discussion in Supported Employment. There is no doubt that work experience placements are a useful and effective activity in the Supported Employment model, and they are often directly and indirectly instrumental in assisting job seekers securing a job.

This workshop will explore the benefits and potential problems with planning and organising work experience placements (and job tasters) and will discuss the objectives and how work experience can be used in both the assessment and the job finding process.

The 5 stages of Supported Employment

Supported Employment is a method of working with people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups to access and maintain employment through providing appropriate and on-going support. It is well recognised as an effective measure, activity, and structure to assist a job seeker to move into employment.

This workshop will explore each of the stages from a practical perspective and will present some ideas and suggestions regarding how the model can be used for maximum effect.

Supported Employment – An Overview and the Basics

This training event is aimed at both Leaders and Job Coaches. It is normally a two-day session and adopts a practical approach to developing and delivering Supported Employment services. It can be viewed as an introductory course but also has been found to be useful to experienced practitioners.

The workshop explores the origins of Supported Employment and looks at how it the model has developed and has been adapted with the emphasis on how it can be used within the Norwegian framework. Efficient delivery of Supported Employment means having an appropriate structure, skilled Job Coaches and effective activities and we will discuss how the Supported Employment model and the five stages can be used to achieve a successful approach.

This workshop will generally follow the European Supported Employment Toolkit/Verktøykasse and intends to bring it to life by using a practical approach, examining real experiences and by informal discussions in groups or sub-groups. Whilst all the stages within the model are important, more time will be spent on exploring job finding and marketing strategies as well ideas to support employers and the business community.

Supported Employment – A Refresher

Many services have been delivering Supported Employment type services for several years and have gained a great deal of experience. This workshop is aimed art re-visiting the model and the activities with a view for organisations and staff to reflect on what they do, why they do it and more importantly, can they do it better.

The workshop would be an abbreviated version of the ‘Supported Employment – An Overview and the Basics’ course and an emphasis would be on current delivery and discussing problems and potential solutions.

Many Job Coaches undertook training when they first started in their role and this session provides the opportunity to reflect on how they are delivering employment services and explore what changes may be needed to their approach either as an individual or as a team.