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ISSN 2063-5346
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PREPARING FOR BETTER EMPLOYABILITY POST-SECONDARY TRANSITION TO EMPLOYMENT TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ADULTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IN MALAYSIA

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Nur Khairiah Ghuzal, Mohd Norazmi Nordin
» doi: 10.31838/ecb/2023.12.s3.463

Abstract

Individuals with Autism repeatedly face significant challenges to obtaining and securing meaningful employment. Transition to Employment Training Scheme and Supported employment appear to be a vital pathway to promote employment outcomes, yet there remains limited knowledge about the real-life experiences of those involved in such transition training program. Ineffective and improper transition planning and programming for post-secondary youth with Special Needs, as well as a weak partnership between special education schools, community agencies, and employers, are contributing causes of low employment rates and employment suitability, which are primarily a global phenomenon.This study is the first to take a multi-informant approach to examine employment transition programme that provides pre-employment training and job placement support for adults with autism to achieve sustainable white-collar and professional employment in Malaysia. Trainees, trainers and their job coaches were consulted in semi-structured interviews to describe their experiences in the transition to employment internship programme, focusing especially on their expectations before the start of the program and the achievements and difficulties they have experienced towards the end of the program. The majority of the key players who participated had pleasant, meaningful experiences, although some trainees experienced difficulty evaluating their employment goals, and experienced challenges in adhering to office norms. The current findings add to a better understanding of individuals with autism transitioning to employment experiences and should better guide the development of future programmes targeted at promoting employment opportunities for them.

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