USAID People with Disabilities Internship and Employment Project

With the support of USAID, HANDIMAK Tetovo in partnership with My Career and PORAKA NASHA from Kumanovo is implementing project that aims to increase the participation of people with disabilities in society and their employment and economic opportunities by increasing their employability skills through internships and trainings, and their participation in public awareness campaigns.

Project has three main components. First component, aims to provide internship and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in selected companies and local public institutions. Individuals with disabilities will receive trainings to successfully complete their internships. Mentors at the companies and institutions hiring interns will be trained to recognize, value, and properly utilize the contribution of persons with disabilities in their organizations.  Professional courses (e.g. marketing, finance, accounting and management) as well as business counseling and advisory services will be provided to persons with disabilities who start their own businesses.

The second component aims to make disability issues visible to the private sector and community. Through this component is planned to be   develop and disseminate video toolkits and other promotional materials presenting best practices and the successful placement of persons with disabilities in internship positions.

The third component of this project aims to create a project advisory board of people with disabilities. This board will be established with representatives of DPOs to ensure their participation in the implementation of project activities.  The Advisory Board will undertake advocacy activities to make policy makers and other actors aware of the need for productive inclusion of persons with disabilities in the society.

Expected results from this project are:

  • 300 persons with disabilities will be placed in internships
  • 100 persons with disabilities will be placed in full-time jobs
  • Training and support will be provided to 50 persons with disabilities to start their own businesses
  • of 100 company managers will be trained as mentors to support persons with disabilities interns and new employees

This project started on 15th August 2012 with the duration of two year and with the total budget of 292,536 US dollars