Our ‘Get Workplace Ready’ employability course launched in November 2023, with a week of in-person sessions. Available to adults age 18 to 29 who have a vision impairment, its ambition is to bridge the gap that sees worrying statistics of young people with sight loss who have a wealth to offer within the workplace, being unable to secure employment.
A collaborative effort was formed with course providers, mentors and field experts coming together to build this flagship programme. Get Workplace Ready is about offering practical and powerful wellbeing and work-readiness strategies to support and guide participants towards positive, meaningful and sustainable employment outcomes. The course is designed to help participants (re-)discover their career goals, increase self-confidence and appreciate the knowledge, skills, and qualities they offer the world.
We launched with a residential module hosted at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford where the group attended a programme of training workshops provided by Train2Train, coaching sessions with Jigsaw Coaching and an opportunity to expand their technology skills with TAVIP. So much progress was made during these sessions that will be taken forward into the long term. Social activities were not forgotten – bowling, archery and axe throwing really bonded the group together.
We’d like to thank Thomas Pocklington Trust who are dedicated to supporting the educational and employability needs of people with sight loss and have fully funded this course.
Our attendees describe for themselves their experiences taking part:
“Being given the opportunity to partake in the get ready for employment course has really opened my eyes up to the world of work and given me ideas on how to tackle seeking and maintaining work. Also being able to do team-building activities with the other members of the group was such a nice way to get to know people and strengthen bonds beyond the classroom. It was truly an invaluable week and I extend my thanks to the Thomas Pocklington trust for funding the course and I look forward to what the rest of the duration of the course has to bring and beyond also.”
“I was in two minds about the course as I feel home sick, but this week has been beautiful for me. This training showed a different perspective, I believe this approach should be in every school. You made us feel involved, accepted, valued and part of it without hierarchy. Thank you so much.”
“I’m happy about us connecting in and outside of teaching, we all get along without hierarchy. I feel confident that I have learnt more about VI in work and now understand how time management impacts work. This is the first time I feel I have learnt as an adult.”
“I didn’t know what to expect having been in university with people talking at me – this training is more inclusive, the awareness of getting things wrong as a VI student makes you feel not good enough, so I didn’t volunteer answers. This smaller situation made us feel on par with everyone including other VI people, this made me feel comfortable participating. We know each of us has our own limitations, but we give each other the space to explore. We are all here for the same reason.”
“I’ve made friends for life. Here we can speak openly, transparently and gain workplace insight particularly around disclosure and knowing when to disclose and how it helps. I have learnt about myself; I can move forward and look at my strengths that I have previously suppressed due to past experiences. It provided closure for my negative work experiences. Thank you to VICTA for bringing all of these professionals together.”
Thank you to the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) for providing a perfect, accessible setting in which to learn and to socialise in, and for supporting our group throughout.
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