Creating Opportunity for Talent | ConnectIn Singapore 2014

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A Different Talent Pool

Keh Eng Song

Chief Executive Officer

Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore

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新加坡智障人士福利促进会 3

MINDS- Movement for the Intellectually Disabled

of Singapore

MINDS VISION

To be a world-class voluntary welfare organisation that advances the development, well-being and aspirations of persons with intellectual disability and their integration into society.

4

5

What is Intellectual Disability?

•An illness, disease or mental illness

•Contagious

Intellectual Disability IS NOT

Disability due to brain damage.

Reduces ability to …

• understand new or complex information;

• learn new skills;

• cope independently.

IQ 20/25 IQ 35/40 IQ 50/55 IQ 70

Levels of Severity

MINDS

Profound

Limited verbal skills.

No effective speech.

Poor verbal and social skills.

Able to perform simple work and follow simple instructions under close guidance

or supervision.

No signs of brain damage.

Unskilled jobs/ sheltered

workshop.`

Severe Moderate Mild

MINDS Services

Age 7 to 18 Age Above 18

Special

Education

School

(933/1,200)

Training & Development Centre/Day Activity Centre

(185FT, 41PT/203)

Employment Development Centre (968/1,102)

Sheltered

Workshop

Social

Enterprise

Open

Employment

Children’s Wing (20/36)

Home (105/160)

Hostel (40/60) Residential

Services

Community Group Home (7/12)

Corporate Video

HI-JOB! A job placement/job support programme by MINDS &

supported by SG Enable to assist persons with

intellectual disability find & sustain open employment.

HI-JOB! JPJS

(Job Placement/Job Support

Programme)

We strongly BELIEVE that persons with

intellectual disability have the ABILITY to

work & to sustain their jobs in open

employment when matched with the right

environment & given the necessary job

SUPPORT.

Service Scope

“Client-Centered”

2010:,27 2011:,43 2012:,30 2013:,33

Total Placements To-Date:

182 (As of 21 Jul 2014)

Placement & Support Figures

Job Sustainability Rate

182

122

26

34

(67%)

(14%)

(19%)

(81%)

13

9

7

1

Graduates:

Money & Job

Appreciated

Support

Friends

24%

30%

44%

What Motivates Them?

What makes a Successful Placement?

Co-Workers

& Supervisors

Teachers

& Trainers

Parents

& Caregivers

Job

Coach

Success Story: Mr Andrew Jeremiah Wee

The Importance of Co-Worker Support Mr Andrew Jeremiah Wee

“The people I used to work with from my old jobs often left

me to struggle on my own & did not want to help me at all

even when I asked. They picked on me & blamed me for

everything and I felt so alone.”

“But I love working at Uniqlo. The people there makes me

feel so welcomed & part of a Team. I look forward coming to

work everyday because of supportive managers &

colleagues like Ms Cinny & Nestor, who are always there for

me, encouraging me & willing to go the extra mile to help

me with my work.”

“Thank you Uniqlo for supporting me! I will continue to work

hard & do my very best for Uniqlo because I am

appreciated.”

• According to many studies, being appreciated &

valued is a fundamental human need as it

creates a sense of purpose & belonging

• Majority of our Clients are not motivated by

money (less than 3%). Close to 30% of the 50

Clients surveyed expressed being spurred on to

perform better & stay on their jobs when they feel

appreciated & valued

• Our Job Coaches have also personally observed

a comparable increase in their Clients’ attendance, punctuality, productivity & job

retention rate when their work is acknowledged

as it motivates & reinforces a rewarding purpose

for them to do so

PwD’s Ability &

Performance Recognition

Increases productivity &

motivation

Loyalty + increased value

to employer

Another Success Story: Mr Jason Goh

Testimony: Mr Masaki Goto Store Operations Support Manager, Uniqlo

“I’m really grateful for Hi-Job!’s efforts in helping find

& support PwID staff for Uniqlo – all of them work with

great attitude & skills!”

“Jason being selected for the Best Staff & Customer

Service award is a really amazing thing for Uniqlo

Singapore - no other PwDs have ever been awarded

or selected even in Japan!”

“With this recognition, I’m sure Jason will continue to

work with a #1 smile at Uniqlo everyday!”

“We (employers) must all co-operate with each other

to make a better place, better world!”

Testimony from Ms Fauziah Ali Executive Housekeeper, Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City

“Initially, the idea of hiring Persons with Intellectual Disabilities were taken with mixed feelings from our Staff but after seeing their performance,

the perception of hiring them & our mindset of them have totally changed! We are amazed with their ability & how exceptional they can be!”

“There were even some high flyers who have been promoted,

like Ms Siti Rasyidah (now a Senior Kitchen Stewardess!), who can run the Stewarding Operations without supervision and are even

tasked to be Team Leaders in training the rest of our staff!”

“Don’t ever think people like us can’t work at all! We should be encouraged and supported more so we can perform to the best of our

ability. We are not disabled!”

- Mr Andrew Jeremiah Wee, Retail Associate, Uniqlo

“We have Abilities too, you know!”

Enclave – An Alternative

• A group of 10 clients, accompanied by a MINDS staff.

• Work at employer’s premises.

• Clients are not independent travelers.

• MINDS staff will supervise the work and clients.

HI-JOB! JPJS

(Job Placement/Job Support)

Programme

For registration or

enquiries,

please call:

Jaieden Ace Shen

8612 2242 jaieden@hijob.org.sg

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