Training Programs
Open Employment
Previous trainees with full time employment
One of the goals of Bethany Home is to train up the students and trainees so that they can find fulfilling and suitable work to allow them to be independent at home and in the community. There have been great successes in this area with previous trainees at Bethany Home getting jobs in workplaces that include a furniture factory, bakery, clothing factory and fishing boats. At the age of 18 suitable trainees are placed into sheltered employment called "Lighthouse" to begin learning the skills required in a work environment. The main service that Bethany Home provides in this area is through staffs that provide job coaching. The job coach helps trainees identify possible jobs that suit their talents or interests but also manageable given their disability. The job coach will also assist them as they integrate into the workplace and provide other support as required.
This area is a continual struggle as the minimum wage is increased and employees do not want to employ people with disabilities. This can be due to their lack of understanding of how people with disabilities can contribute to the workplace or the fact that the person's disability may reduce their efficiency.