At the closing ceremony of “Life is Art” programme 2022 – “Career Makes Future” internship programme, more than half of the interns raised their hands to indicate that their favorite positions were packing and delivery. “Delivering bread to customers and receiving their positive feedback is the most satisfying thing!” These youths with special needs particularly value the sense of accomplishment they gain from the work, and external recognition is the biggest driving force for their work.
About the “Career Makes Future” internship programme
Since 2021, the Group has worked with Emmaus Bakery to launch the “Career Makes Future” courses under “Life is Art” programme, focusing on vocational skills education for youths with autism, which focuses on the needs of career development and helps them to better integrate into society and realize their self-value by providing real internship scenes.
From “I hope” to “I can”
The internship programme 2022 was carried out through two parts – online session and placement. After registration, interview, and selection, 20 youths were enrolled in the project. From December 2022 to March 2023, the bakery provided them with nearly a month of rotational internships, assigning them to five positions including store, cleaning, batching, styling, and delivery. From interview to internship, they were able to immerse themselves in the bakery, a real-life work scenario, where they developed positive work attitudes and behaviors, improved their interpersonal skills, and adapted to the requirements of workplace.
Let’s share some stories here.
At the beginning of her internship, Yingtong, who had relatively weak coordination ability, was somewhat resistant to the unfamiliar environment. During the internship, the mentor found that she was receptive to suggestions and adhered to the behavioral norms. With the guidance and encouragement of her mentor, through repeated practice of the same process, Yingtong’s handling of fine work improved significantly. She also learned to express herself boldly, communicate with colleagues, and reduced the unfamiliarity she felt towards the new environment by getting along well with others.
After completing her internship, Yingtong has been hired as a full-time employee by a company due to her serious work attitude and high level of completion on tasks, working on the production line.
“I hope the programme to thrive, providing more assistance and support on employment for the youths with special needs to achieve self-reliance, integrate into the society, and realize self-fulfillment.” Yingtong’s mother said.
Huang Yurong has an optimistic and cheerful nature, is proactive in his work and has good understanding abilities, which has won him favor from his mentors. At the end of his internship, he voiced his willingness to work. He became a formal intern at Emmaus Bakery after the final assessment.
“This programme is excellent as it can provide an adaptation period for these youths, allowing them to experience and understand what it’s like to work in society, and transition from a well-controlled school environment to a real work environment.” – Director Pan from Liwan Foreign Language Vocational Senior High School.
Make the unseen seen – Online Session
Online session and baking courses are new initiatives of the programme. By providing online session and baking courses for the youths, their families, and institutional teachers, more people can understand their employment situation and effectively support their integrated employment.
The online session is aimed at a total of 50 Huiling Service Points and related service agencies nationwide. A total of 5 online courses have been conducted (including theoretical knowledge and practical cookie making), benefiting over 300 youths, more than 400 parents, and over 100 supportive employment counselors. An autistic youth from Beijing, who guided by his parents through video tutorials, made delicious cookies at home.
“Anyone can shine as long as they find the right place.” May all the interns of “Life is Art” programme can better integrate into the society and realize self-fulfillment on their journey of growth in the future.