Employment Preparation
Employment Preparation assists the Individual and their staff to get to know one another, and for the Individual to develop skills and knowledge for the purpose of obtaining employment.
Services include a discovery process to better determine who the Individual is, what type of jobs they may be interested in, their ideal conditions of employment, and what they are capable of doing well.
Courses taught at Columbia College prepare participants for the workforce and include:
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personal development
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computer basics
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work related academics
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job maintenance
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job search
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job safety
Individuals are assisted in securing and maintaining community based work experience placements where they gain exposure to a variety of potential employment opportunities, develop skills, work alongside others, refine their vocational interests, and market themselves to potential employers.
Employment Placement
Employment Sustainment
Employment Sustainment assists Individuals and their employers with minimal long-term support and advocacy to facilitate their long term employment success. Support is provided until no longer required.
Employment Placement assists Individuals with securing and maintaining paid employment. Service may include:
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job analysis
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job matching
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job finding
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job carving
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on the-job support
These services are to assist the Individual in meeting employer expectations, and/or help build a work environment that supports the Individual.
Upon securing paid employment, CSSD staff will provide on-site follow-up support for the Individual and their employer to facilitate employment success.
Employment Partnerships
Employment Services support each Individual in securing and maintaining paid employment (either independent or supported).
Employment Services are individualized to accommodate the unique interests of each participant.
Services include: employment preparation, employment placement, and employment sustainment.
Our Values and Principles
People with disabilities are individuals who have the same rights, entitlements, responsibilities, expectations and opportunities as every citizen of Canada and Alberta, as per the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the Alberta Human Rights Act.
We encourage each individual to use their talents, skills and abilities in providing leadership with their peers and within the community.
We actively involve each individual and where applicable their support team, including the individual’s guardians and family members, CSS-DIAD regional staff, service provider(s), support staff and other relevant stakeholders in the service planning process, decision making and implementation.
We treat everyone with dignity and respect.
We promote the independence and protect the rights of each person through education, information sharing, and advocacy.
We recognize these individuals as people first, defined by their own strengths, abilities and inherent value as a contributing member of the community, not by their disability.
We advocate for the right of each person to make and change their decisions as they so desire, to have self-determination and control over their lives.
We provide person-centred services, designed and developed around the unique interests, abilities and support needs of each individual.
We view each person from a positive perspective in recognizing and supporting the development of their talents, skills and abilities.
We support each person and where applicable their support team, including their guardians and family members to make informed choices, especially in situations that may involve risk.
We are dedicated and committed to assisting each person to develop lifelong relationships within their communities through employment, volunteerism, social activities, arts, education, recreation, community association, and community resources.
We perform our work with the highest levels of accountability, responsibility and integrity
We facilitate community inclusion and diversity with a particular focus on creating, increasing, and/or sustaining the capacity of communities to welcome these individuals.
