Many special needs individuals in Belize are unable to obtain employment. Camp Joy Belize Ministries is proud to announce its JOY Employability Program, that will allow individuals with special needs the opportunity to be employed under the mentoring of a job coach. The purpose of this program is to train and support individuals with special needs with the intention that in the future the job coach can transition out of the workplace and allow the employee to work on their own.

Job coaching refers to the training of an employee by an approved specialist. They use structured intervention techniques to help the employee learn to perform job tasks to the employer’s specifications and to learn the interpersonal skills necessary to be accepted as a worker on the job site and in the community. In addition to job-site training, job coaching includes related assessment, job development, counseling, advocacy, travel training and other services needed to maintain the employment.

• Assist the employee with a disability to learn their new job, and facilitate their inclusion into the work environment.

• Support the employee to become an independent, competent & confident part of their new workplace.

• Support coworkers and supervisors to feel confident to support their new employee or coworker.

Through job coaching, a qualified individual (job coach) works directly with an individual with a disability in a training or placement site to help him/her learn the specific requirements of the job; learn work-related activities and requirements such as time and attendance rules; and learn appropriate work-related (including social) behaviors when dealing with supervisors and co-workers.