Astangu Vocational Rehabilitation Centre Mentor programme (easy to read)
This is a very good support programme for integrating people with special needs into everyday life. They gain a new friend in the mentor. The mentor expands the mentee’s social network and supports in career planning.
Target group Working age (16-63) people with physical or mental health disorders, who are about to graduate from IT study program in Astangu Vocational Rehabilitation Centre.
The aims of the mentoring program –
Increase employers awareness of disability
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Support our students to find out what kind of job they want to do
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Improve students self-esteem
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Improve skills to communicate and interact with others
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Motivate students to try and experience new challenges
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Encourage students to find working possibilities
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Give students a realistic understanding of the needs of the open labour market.
How does the mentor programme work? The mentor programme works on the principle of paired/one-on-one mentorship. Every mentor has a mentee. The mentee chooses a suitable mentor for him or her. The mentor provides a CV and a short description of themself, and in the opening event all mentees can communicate with mentors and choose the right one for them. The programme lasts 12 months (from January to December). The active party should be the mentee. Mentor input is at least 3 hours every month. Mentor and mentee meet up regularly.
Who is a mentor? The mentors participated in the programme voluntarily. They were selected preferably from among middle-level managers from various IT enterprises.
A mentor: –
shares his/hers experience in success and failures;
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is trustworthy;
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guides the mentee to make wise decisions in career choices;
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pays attention to the student’s problems and finds solutions;
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encourages the student to think independently;
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does not command or prohibit, is committed and good listener.
Mentee is a person who: –
is active and open minded, ready to ask for advice and take advice;
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is ready to learn and take the initiative of his/her personal development;
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takes responsibility;
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takes time and prepares for every meeting;
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wants to make difference in his/her life.
Results of the program –
students have a realistic understanding of the real labour market;
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students know how to present themselves positively at job interviews and in application documents; –
students have increased self-esteem;
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students are ready to apply to the jobs themselves, not waiting for the school to assist;
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students getting an internship and/or a job;
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mentors have gained a better understanding of the situation of people with disabilities;
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both parties have met new people and got new connections.
Contact details Triin Juss, Employment Service Manager, Astangu Vocational Rehabilitation Centre; co-ordinator of the mentor programme; triin.juss@astangu.ee