The Inclusive Employment Project supports students with disabilities through a two-pronged approach. Through the Individualised Vocational Education Support Plan, students receive tailored vocational skills training at school. Through the Individualised Vocational Transition Support Plan, they access internship opportunities, complemented by job coach support — helping students move from learning to practice and prepare for future employment.
For young people, finding a career path is a milestone in growing up. For students with disabilities, that step can be more challenging. 18-year-old Xiaoming has level 2 intellectual disability and is mainly cared for by his elderly grandparents. His family of six relies largely on the grandparents’ pensions and his father’s unstable income from temporary jobs, while his mother cannot work due to her intellectual disability. As Xiaoming grows older, his grandparents worry about the future — if one day they are no longer able to care for the family, how Xiaoming and his 5-year-old brother would cope with the future.
From Learning to Internship
Building Work Experience and Social Skills Xiaoming was one of ten students recommended by their schools to join the internship programme. At an internship training base, they received practical training across multiple job roles and continued practicing outside school hours.
Although Xiaoming struggles with learning and concentration, he received one-on-one guidance from a job coach during the internship programme, with training tailored to his ability and needs. For example, the job coach broke down the tasks of a barista into simpler, clearer steps, helping him master the required skills gradually. Xiaoming also explored different roles in community settings, from assisting at events to sorting deliveries, progressively building valuable workplace experience and developing his strengths across different areas.
Witnessing Xiaoming’s progress, his grandmother said with a smile, “In the past, he could never sit still and was always moving around or talking to someone. Now he can calm down and focus on his work.” After several months interning at a café, Xiaoming was able to concentrate on completing tasks, while his social skills improved significantly — equipping him with essential skills for entering the workplace in the future.
From Being Cared for to Contributing to the Family
Building on his internship experience, Xiaoming secured an apprenticeship at a local hotel after graduation. The job not only provides stable income and comprehensive benefits, but also provides an additional source of financial support for the family, giving them greater peace of mind. Xiaoming has gained a sense of fulfilment and confidence through his work, and his life has become more meaningful. Witnessing his growth, his grandmother feels deeply relieved and believes Xiaoming’s progress has brought renewed hope to the whole family.
The hotel’s HR manager shared that Xiaoming’s enthusiasm and capabilities exceeded her expectations at the interview. During his probation period, he performed well — punctual and disciplined, and able to follow instructions to complete tasks. Although he sometimes struggled to refocus after breaks, with remote support from his job coach, he learned to adjust his approach to work and became better able to organize and understand his tasks. “Now he can independently follow his daily task list, manage his time effectively, and make valuable contributions to our hotel,” she added.