Company- and volunteer-based vocational training model for creating inclusive jobs in the IT sector

Fundación GoodJob's #IMPACT Program: Launched in 2020 for technological and vocational training online for persons with disabilities. By the end of 2022, 518 people participated, achieving an employment rate of over 70%.

Fundación GoodJob, a Spanish foundation supporting the labour inclusion of persons with disabilities, launched the #IMPACT training programme in 2020, providing technological and vocational skills training online to persons with disabilities. The trainings are supported by companies and accompanied by volunteer trainers, tutors, and mentors. By the end of 2022 a total of 518 people had participated in 14 trainings, and they went on to achieve an employment rate of more than 70 per cent.

Problems Targeted

People with disabilities lack opportunities to learn occupations that are in demand and that offer them chances for secure and well-paid jobs.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

The online #IMPACT training programme is free for people with disabilities and/or at risk of exclusion to develop skills in the technology sector, independent of location and without the need for prior knowledge or experience in the IT sector. A special feature is that companies and volunteers support the courses as teachers, tutors, and mentors. After completing vocational and technical training, participants are prepared to integrate into companies, initially with the support of Fundación GoodJob and its own employment centres, and through supported employment with specialized job coaches whose aim is to integrate the participants directly into the workforce. #IMPACT ensures that people with disabilities acquire vocational skills that are of high value in the market. At the same time, the programme supports companies in fulfilling their legal obligation to employ people with disabilities and contributes to making the technology sector an inclusive and diverse one. #IMPACT was launched in 2020 with 41 participating students, 10 cooperating companies, and 78 employees who volunteered to support the project. The programme has already been supported by 35 companies and more than 540 volunteers.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

About 80 per cent of the costs of the #IMPACT programmes are covered by companies interested in employing people with disabilities, with 20 per cent coming from private donations and public grants. Working with volunteers who support the project as teachers, tutors, and mentors has proven to be efficient and cost-effective. It can be seen as a benchmark model how to engage with volunteers working with companies in the IT sector, and Fundación GoodJob aims to expand the cooperation model to 100 companies in the near future. (Awardee 2024)

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GoodJob provides people with disabilities with free online training in technology and careers.

GoodJob provides people with disabilities with free online training in technology and careers.

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