Tribune News Service
Doha
Qatar Foundation’s Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC) successfully conducted the Supported Employment Training Program: Soft Skills from March 5 to 9. The programme, which aimed at enhancing career guidance services for students with mild and moderate learning challenges, was based on adapting international best practices in the field to the local context.
The programme was divided into three main pillars: enhancing career guidance provision, promoting an inclusive employment culture, and mobilising key stakeholders to bring meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities, particularly those affected by neurodiverse and cognitive conditions; aggregated into various training modules and workshops.
Professionals from various sectors participated in the programme, including school counsellors, parents, social partners, industry partners, employers, managers, job coaches, teachers, and family members of neurodiverse youth. The programme aimed to train participants on various soft skills related to employment, including hidden curricula, social skills, stress management, self-awareness, self-management, communication, self-regulation, and self-advocacy. Two internationally recognised experts facilitated the programme in supported employment for people with disabilities, Dr Stephen Shore and Dr Robert Naseef. Dr Shore, a professor at Adelphi University, specialises in matching best practices to the needs of people with autism. Dr Naseef, a psychologist with over 30 years of experience, specialises in families of children with disabilities.
Upon concluding the programme’s activities, Abdullah Al-Mansoori, director of QCDC, said, “I am delighted by the success of the Supported Employment Training Programme; the turnout and participation were beyond our expectations. We have a responsibility to ensure that everyone has equal access to career development opportunities, regardless of any disabilities or cognitive conditions they may have.”
“We are particularly proud of this program that we have put together to enable practitioners and teachers in providing the best possible assistance to people with disabilities. The program provided them with tailored training and support to help them overcome any challenges they may face in reaching out to their students. It also helps us to localise the immense expertise provided by our guests by transferring them to our professionals,” Abdullah added.
After the programme, each participant received a certificate of completion that acknowledges their appreciated participation, in addition to copies of all the educational materials provided and covered during classes, to ensure they can carry on with this enriching experience and transfer it in turn to their immediate circles, towards the overall improvement of career guidance and development capabilities.
