From the workshop for disabled people (WfbM) to the general labor market
Rheine.cpr. Cornelia Akamp came to the Caritas-Emstor workshops on the recommendation of the employment agency Rheine to develop a professional perspective. Cornelia was diagnosed with atypical autism. Communicating is not easy for her. But she knows what she wants. It has always been her wish to work in a company on the general labor market at some point and earn her own money. No sooner said than done! Cornelia was fully committed to making her wish come true. She also received active support from Rita Stecker-Schürmann, the Caritas-Emstor workshops’ inclusion advisor, because the Caritas-Emstor workshops also support transitions to the general labor market.
In the vocational training program at Caritas-Emstor-Werkstätten, Cornelia Akamp has oriented herself in various occupational fields. She has done two internships in gardening and landscaping. In addition, she continued her training as a “worker in horticulture” with high motivation and successfully completed the degree. After her vocational training, Cornelia initially decided to work in the kitchen at the Caritas Emstor workshops. Over time, however, the desire grew to try garden landscaping in a company after all. “I want to work in a gardening business and earn my own money. I can do that,” says Cornelia.
Rita Stecker-Schürmann became involved to support the transition to the general labor market. With the company Garten-Landschaftsbau Schmitz GmbH in Rheine, an interested and open-minded company was quickly found. Dennis Schmitz, the company’s managing director, got to know Cornelia during an internship lasting several weeks. Cornelia’s special characteristics, her strengths and her weaknesses, were accepted without prejudice. Cornelia was integrated into the team and carried out all the work independently and as a matter of course. Of course, she also takes part in all company celebrations and outings. It is particularly advantageous for the company that Cornelia has a car driver’s license. This allows her to drive to construction sites and take personnel with her. After a few weeks of internship, Cornelia switched to an outside job in the company. In the case of an external workplace, the company pays the WfbM a fee for the work performed. In principle, employees of the respective WfbM remain in the contract and in the pay of the WfbM at an external workplace. Cornelia was able to get to know the work at the company through all seasons before she decided to accept the challenge. The company needed to gain confidence that it could offer Cornelia Akamp long-term employment. Cornelia demonstrated her skills and strong will: without complaint, she pushed heavy wheelbarrows through construction sites in all weathers, for example on the new building for the combined swimming pool. When Rita Stecker-Schürmann visited the construction site and asked if she was doing well and if she could manage it all, she replied, “Yes, why not? I’m enjoying it!” Managing Director Dennis Schmitz also expressed his satisfaction with his new employee and expressed interest in taking her on in a job. “Cornelia Akamp is a valuable employee for our company. She is very reliable and enjoys her work. The fact that she has a driver’s license is worth its weight in gold for us as a garden landscaping company.”
Finally, the integration service (IFD) was involved on the part of Caritas-Emstor-Werkstätten. Brigitte Duseck is responsible there. She advises and accompanies employers and interested employees from the WfbM on all issues relating to the transition to the general labor market and funding opportunities, with the involvement of the “LWL Budget for Work” of the LWL Inclusion Office Work. Among other things, the “LWL budget for work” can be used to finance wage subsidies or qualification measures. Brigitte Duseck is also responsible if support in the form of job coaching or the involvement of the Technical Advisory Service is to be organized. The employment relationship can be accompanied by the IFD and the IFD can be contacted further in case of difficulties in the company. For further questions, Brigitte Duseck can be contacted at 0173 9063524.
The young employee and Dennis Schmitz finally signed a permanent employment contract for April 1, 2023. In the meantime, Cornelia was even able to get her trailer driver’s license, which was also partly financed by the LWL. A real success story!
If you are interested in employing people with disabilities in an external workplace, please contact Rita Stecker-Schürmann by e-mail: .