Problem Statement

One of the challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) is the difficulty in finding employers who are willing to give them a chance to work. Many admitted that there are unique circumstances which prevent persons with disabilities / caregivers from accepting any job opportunity that comes around.

Project FEN confronts two of the most pressing challenges faced by persons with disabilities / caregivers: the need for flexible hours; and a preferred choice of work location. It also addresses the skills shortfall and relevancy issue for persons with disabilities / caregivers who have not worked for a while by teaching them transferable IT-based skills and customer-handling techniques in a blended classroom and supervised on-job learning environment.

Solution

To build a virtual work platform that offers a unique blend of flexible time-and-place employment opportunities for persons with disabilities / caregivers and enhancing their employablility by equipping them with transferable work skills and experience.

In order to be certified ready to work from home, FEN participants will have to successfully complete a comprehensive skill development programme that includes classroom instruction and a period of supervised on-job training (OJT) lasting 6 months or more.  The OJT will be conducted at one of several work centers created jointly with partner Volunteer Welfare Organizations (VWOs) in Singapore.

Outcomes

The project aims to provide persons with disabilities and their caregivers with the ability to integrate or re-integrate into the workforce in spite of their disabilities or constraints.