| USEL gives VIPP treatment to the Retail Sector |
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USEL as part of a transnational network of specialist disability support organisations, employers, and others have been successfully working together since April 2006 in the Vocational Improvement Pipeline Project (VIPP) to develop and improve vocational opportunities to progress disabled people into open employment. USEL has concentrated on developing specific vocational tools linked to the job requirements within the retail sector.
The lead partner Remploy and other transnational organisations such as USEL in Northern Ireland, Cedris in the Netherlands, EHLABE in Spain, Samhall in Sweden and Marie Cure in Bulgaria have developed a number of specific steps and tools to assist improve transition into paid employment for disabled people within particular piloted sectors. The partnership has been successful in identifying and developing generic and detailed packages around personal and vocational skill development and employer supports, which closely matches identified needs to the particular vocational area being piloted and tested in the various countries. VIPP will also analyse employers understanding of diversity and will link this to mutually agreed action plans, including targeted job entries.
USEL is currently at the stage where it testing the training and the personal and employer supports through the placement of a number of disabled people who have agreed to participate in the VIPP pilot. The outcomes will be closely monitored and evaluated and it is hoped that the model of training delivery and supports will be rolled out more generally in the longer term.
The project partners will be compiling the transnational outcomes during this current phase, which is due to end in May 2007. A final report will be disseminated to all stakeholders in September 2007. If you wish to find out more about the project email Gwen Mills at gmills@usel.co.uk or visit the VIPP website at www.vipp-org.eu
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| G Mills |
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