Young people with disabilities who are looking for a job on November 1 tried the experience of being “in the shadow of an employee”. They went to a number of institutions and companies where persons with disabilities work to familiarize themselves with jobs suitable for their qualifications.

Ecaterina Sochircă and Aliona Mârza tested the work of secretary at the Psycho-Socio-Pedagogical Center of the General Division of Education, Youth and Sport of Chisinau municipality. Stanislav Pivovarchuk, who has held this post for half a year, said his limited locomotor abilities and visual impairments do not prevent him from doing his job responsibly. It was hard for him initially, but he adjusted himself and integrated into the team. He studied political sciences, but could not find a job in this field and thus requalified himself. With the assistance of “Motivație” Association, he found this job and likes what he does.

Deputy head of the Psycho-Socio-Pedagogical Center Lilia Maximenko said the work of secretary is rather popular, but she chose Stanislav who seemed to be a motivated person and this opinion was confirmed in time. “I never tried to victimize or limit him by saying that he can do only what he can. Stanislav knows to listen to his tasks and is not afraid to ask if he did the work well,” stated Lilia Maximenco.

Aliona Mârza, who was “in the shadow of an employee”, said she accepted the challenge because she is curious to know how the work of secretary is done and because she wants to find an area of interest to her where she would gain experience. She hasn’t yet tried to find a job as she wants to continue her studies.

Ana Bufteac, coordinator of the Supported Employment Program of “Motivație”, said the activity “in the shadow of an employee” is aimed at sensitizing also employers so that they do not exclude the persons with disabilities from the list of potential employees and treat them as a valuable human resource.

Iulia Nicorici, senior specialist at the Chisinau City Employment Agency, said today the young people can explore and learn more about jobs before deciding where to continue their studies. “There are fashionable jobs popular with young people about which everyone knows, but there are also professions that are in demand on the labor market. The necessity of exploring and knowing derives from here,” she stated.

“Motivație” has implemented the Supported Employment Program for over five years. In the period it offered assistance to many persons with disabilities and helped more than 100 disabled persons to find a job.