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Unemployed young men graduate with work-ready skills

By Dr Nathan Wilson, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Australia.

A group of 18 unemployed young men with intellectual disabilities have gained vital job skills after graduating from a Men’s Shed mentoring project that was funded in partnership by the WA Disability Services Commission and Therapy focus, and run by researchers from Curtin and Western Sydney Universities.

The men, aged 18 to 24 years, were awarded their graduation certificates by the WA Disability Services Minister, the Hon. Stephen Dawson, at a special ceremony at the Manning Men’s Shed on the 21st February.

Over a six-month period, the young men attended their local Men’s Shed once a week to work on a range of projects, including woodworking, metal work, gardening, arts and crafts, and computers. The young men were mentored by members of the men’s shed who were trained in how to be a mentor and maximise the young men’s participation. The mentors were older retired men with a desire to support these young men at the shed. Involvement in the project helped to develop the young men’s work routines and relationships as well as boosting their self-confidence and knowledge of work skills. Many of the young men will continue their involvement with their local Men’s Shed because of the relationships and skills they have developed. Dr Ben Milbourn, project lead from Curtin University, reported that “one of the young men has already secured employment after taking part in the program”.

The young men were recruited through Perth-based employment agencies, including Edge, Life Without Barriers, Workpower, Valued Lives and the Disability Services Commission. The Men’s Sheds involved were in Manning, Fremantle, Victoria Park, Stirling, Yanchep, Mundaring and Joondalup.

Dr Nathan Wilson from The School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University and A/Professor Reinie Cordier from the School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work at Curtin University, have been conducting research about the potential of mentoring programs at interested men’s sheds over the last 8 years. Where sheds and their memberships are interested in mentoring, sheds provide an ideal location that combines a work-like setting with a range of very diverse activities, within a supportive and inclusive social context. They hope to continue building the evidence base for mentoring programs targeted at marginalised sub-groups of society into the future.

Three short videos showcasing two of the mentees’ stories was funded and produced by Therapy Focus and can be viewed by clicking on the following links:

https://youtu.be/2TQ1I07d19M
https://youtu.be/CAeuvCpq9n4
https://youtu.be/RVuz3I2cs-4

More information about these videos can be obtained from Tessa Leschen at: tessa.leschen@thrapyfocus.org.au

More information about this particular mentoring project can be gained from contacting either Dr Nathan Wilson from Western Sydney University at N.Wilson@westernsydney.edu.au or Ben Milbourn from Curtin University at: Ben.Milbourn@curtin.edu.au.

March 2018