Supported Employment Program

Supported Employment Program

At Community Living Kirkland Lake, our Supported Employment Program is dedicated to helping individuals with intellectual disabilities discover their professional potential and secure meaningful employment. We connect motivated job seekers with inclusive local businesses, working collaboratively to foster diverse, productive, and supportive workplaces across our community.

Who This Program Is For

This program is designed for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities who are eager to enter the workforce, learn valuable workplace skills, or transition into long-term career paths. It is also an invaluable resource for local business owners in Kirkland Lake looking to diversify their teams and hire dependable, well-prepared staff.

Career Planning and Pre-Employment Preparation

Finding the right career path starts with understanding individual strengths, goals, and interests. Our program guides participants through a comprehensive career planning assessment to identify the roles that best match their talents. Every participant receives a personalized employment plan that outlines their educational goals, career awareness goals, and preparation steps.

To ensure complete readiness, we establish vital linkages with generic employment support agencies for foundational pre-employment training. This preparation covers:

• Professional Readiness: Resume writing, interview techniques, self-presentation, and professional dress training.

• Workplace Dynamics: Interpersonal skill management, workplace social skills, hygiene, and a strong understanding of work ethics.

• Safety and Education: Practical training in workplace health and safety, awareness of worker rights, and specific certifications such as the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) when required.

To help build early confidence and gain hands-on experience during the career planning phase, we may also utilize tailored volunteer work placements within the community.

On-Site Job Coaching and Workplace Integration

Once a participant secures a job, we provide structured, on-site job coaching to ensure a smooth transition into the workplace. Our job coaches assist the employee in learning specific company policies, specialized procedures, and daily tasks. This initial hands-on training allows the participant to master the required job skills and integrate naturally into the company culture.

As the employee becomes comfortable and confident in their responsibilities, our direct coaching intentionally scales back, allowing natural workplace supports and relationships to take over. Depending on individual eligibility, referrals to specific work retention funding may also be accessible to support the hiring process.

Ongoing Follow-Up and Job Retention Support

We believe that true success is measured by long-term job retention. To maintain a positive, productive, and satisfactory relationship between the employee and the employer, our program offers dependable follow-up services. We remain available to provide additional support, assist with any future workplace transitions, or introduce new training if job duties evolve over time.

Learn More About the Supported Employment Program

Whether you are a job seeker ready to find your next opportunity or a local business owner interested in our inclusive hiring partnerships, we are here to support you.

Please visit our contact page to request information about the Supported Employment Program today.

You can also reach our main office directly:

• Phone: 705-567-9331

• Email: info@clkl.org