Transforming Lives of Young People with Disabilities through the Jump to Job Project

The Jump to Job project aimed at training peer mentors and job coaches for young people with disabilities. The project fully involved young people with disabilities in the design of training activities, following the principle “Nothing about us without us”. Arturo, Athina, Iliana, and Benjamin got the chance to participate in the first pilots as trainees and to embark on a unique journey of personal and professional growth. 

Arturo had tried various training courses before, but without much commitment. His experience in the Jump to Job training in Valladolid, with Fundación INTRAS, sparked an interest in hospitality. With newfound confidence, he seized a training opportunity in this field, and landed a job as a waiter. 

Iliana also embarked on training in Spain. Despite her impressive athletic achievements and English proficiency, she struggled to express herself. Thanks to the Jump to Job experience, she overcame her shyness, made lasting friendships, and soon found a job at a clothing store, where she has been working for over a year. 

Athina joined the project at Theotokos Foundation in Athens. Throughout the training, she gained confidence and grew stronger in her desire for independence. She then applied for supported employment and secured a job at a florist shop. 

Benjamin joined the Jump to Job project in Maribor, with URI-Soča. His training journey helped him develop essential life skills, including a healthy sleeping schedule, better time management, and the capacity to handle stress. 

All four shared a common desire for independence and self-discovery. With the support of the Jump to Job program, they gained confidence and adopted a more proactive approach to job search. Iliana and Benjamin even went back to work for Jump to Job as peer mentors.  

The job coaches adopted the innovative FROG Methodology for Leadership and Life Mastery, developed by the Norwegian company LYK-Z. It includes activities to help the trainees define their desires and aspirations, gain awareness of their skills, and take ownership of their life. As Benjamin puts it: “I would recommend the training to anyone who's still searching for their purpose, because it really helps you find it and to get to know yourself and your goals, ambitions, and dreams”. 

Background 

The Jump to Job project is funded by Erasmus+ and coordinated by the European Platform for Rehabilitation (EPR) in partnership with six organisations: GTB (Belgium), Theotokos Foundation (Greece), URI-Soča (Slovenia), Fundación INTRAS (Spain), the University of Leuven Limburg (Belgium), and LYK – Z (Norway). 

It has generated various outputs, including a Training Curriculum for Peer Mentors and Job Coaches (in English, Dutch, Greek, Slovenian, and Spanish) and an Analysis of Strengths and Weaknesses of the FROG Methodology (also in English, Dutch, Greek, Slovenian, and Spanish). You can read more about this successful project on its website.