Vision Australia seeks mentors for new employment program
![Vision Australia will pair mentors with participants to provide employment advice, encouragement and support over a six month period [Source: Shutterstock]](https://agedcareguide-assets.imgix.net/news/articles/18-Jan.jpg?fm=pjpg)
Vision Australia is on the lookout for volunteer mentors to assist in delivering a new program which will help people who are blind or have low vision achieve their employment goals.
The Vision Australia Mentor Program (VAMP) will pair mentors with participants to provide practical advice, encouragement and support over a six month period, to help them find the job of their dreams.
Vision Australia service designer for employment Tina Brunet says the organisation is seeking mentors who will empower participants to develop their strengths, beliefs and personal attributes.
“We are seeking mentors who have experiences and learnings that could be leveraged by mentees who are navigating through their employment journey.”
“This program is human centred with the needs of the mentee driving the outcomes.
“We think mentors will bring professional experiences and knowledge that will help to shape conversations and drive mentees towards their goals.”
She says professionals who are able to inspire, lead and empower Vision Australia’s valued clients are encouraged to apply to become a mentor.
The program is flexible, allowing mentors and participants to meet face-to-face, via phone or over a video conference.
Ms Brunet says mentors will be matched to participants based on shared values and professional footing.
Co-Chief Executive Officer of People with Disability Australia Therese Sands says programs like these help address the fact that only 53 percent of people with disability are employed, compared to 82 percent of our non-disabled peers.
“We face multiple barriers in the workplace, so any programs that are working to reduce them are a great investment in the future of people with disability.”
“Employer attitudes towards people with disability, and the accommodations we need, need to change, so we can use all the myriad of skills we have in the workplace.”
Ms Sands says people with disability have a lot to offer employers.
“People with disability are resilient, resourceful and excellent problem-solvers – all highly sought after in the modern workplace.”
Volunteer mentors will participate in a four-hour induction and one hour meet and greet with their paired participant before contributing one hour per month for six months.
To apply to become a VAMP mentor, click here.