Vocational Training / Job Placement / Income Generation Committee

Background

Skills training, income generation and job placement are important aspects of rehabilitation of people with disabilities. In Cambodia, disabled people are among the poorest segments of society. For these people it is a high priority to be able to make an income for themselves and their families. Income generation for the disabled gives them a sense of dignity and self-confidence, and also helps to reduce poverty and support development.

Composition and Function

The Vocational Training / Job Placement / Income Generation (VT/JP/IG) Committee comprises local NGOs; international organisations; the Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour, Vocational Training and Youth Rehabilitation (MOSALVY); and private sector businesses. The committee member organisations’ target groups are not necessarily only people with disabilities, but all vulnerable people.

The programmes of the VT/JP/IG committee encompass vocational training and job creation; craft production; small business enterprise; referral to credit; job placement in NGOs, private and public sector organisations; follow up; and integrated agriculture.

The committee was formed with the aim of approaching all issues in a holistic manner, striving for long-term sustainability. Many of the long-term, dedicated members of the committee are themselves disabled, which influences the committee’s direction and focus and ensures that the voices of Cambodia’s disabled community are heard.

Objectives

The VT/JP/IG committee has two main objectives. The first is to ensure that disabled persons are properly equipped to gain employment or start their own business, through sharing existing resources within the sector and eliminating gaps in services. The second main objective is to help set standards (such as standard training curricula and certification) to ensure high quality and integrated services.

Gaps in Services

Gaps in services for vocational training and income generation exist in terms of geographical availability and types of services provided. In most training centres, the trainees are predominantly landmine and polio victims.

Many issues are difficult to address, as they are beyond the control of the committee’s members (such as the general economic situation in Cambodia). However, the committee does find ways to stimulate basic, small-scale economic activities by and for disabled people. It also develops tools and methodologies for use by organisations working in the VT/JP/IG sector, as well as those working in relevant fields with the capacity to mainstream disability issues into their programmes. These resources include training curricula; guidelines; research and studies; pilot projects; and workshops and seminars.

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Case Study (Top)

Ly Lang is 22 years old and has polio in her left leg, but can walk with a crutch. She still lives at home with her family.

Ly Lang completed primary school in 1990. Later she studied Chinese at a local school between 1993 and 1995. She received English and Computer training from Maryknoll (an NGO member of the DAC), in 1996 and 1997. Now she can speak both English and Chinese.

Ly Lang’s many attempts at getting a job to help support her very poor family were unsuccessful. Eventually she was referred to the National Centre for Disabled People (another member of the DAC). NCDP runs an Information Referral Service, which allows disabled people and organisations to link up with each other.

Through the IRS Programme, Ly Lang received training in job-seeking skills, then she was referred to Trinunggal Komara Garment Industry Co Ltd for an interview for a receptionist position. She passed the interview and started work in January 2001. Now Ly Lang is very happy because she is earning $80 per month, and can support her family and plan for improving her own future.

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