Associazione Eduimpact Italy

Topic / Theme

Developing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approaches that promote the inclusion of adults with special needs in the workplace. The course supports educators, trainers and organisational staff in designing inclusive employment pathways, building partnerships with businesses and fostering accessible, supportive work environments.

Sending partners

Educational organisations involved in formal, non-formal and informal learning: adult education centres, VET providers, training organisations, NGOs, employment support services, social enterprises and other institutions active in the adult education and vocational inclusion field, established in Erasmus+ programme countries.

Participants

20–25 adults involved in education, training, employment support or organisational development.

Course fee

According to the Erasmus+ Programme Guide: 80 EUR per participant per training day, including course preparation, training delivery, training materials, organisational and administrative costs, and 24-hour emergency support during the mobility.

Trainers

A multinational team of trainers from Portugal, Romania, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Italy and Poland, experienced in Erasmus+ training and international cooperation, including collaboration with SALTO and delivery in more than 15 European countries.

Languages used

Working language: English.
Training materials are provided in English. Upon request, support or materials may be available in Spanish or French, depending on the group composition.

Profile of the participants

The course is designed for adult educators, VET trainers, job coaches, social workers, NGO staff, HR professionals and organisational representatives working with adults with special needs or supporting their access to employment.

Participants:

  • Work with adults with disabilities or other support needs
  • May have previous experience or be beginners in workplace inclusion or CSR
  • Are interested in improving employability pathways and inclusive employment practices
  • Are willing to actively participate in case studies, simulations and collaborative project design
  • Are open to intercultural learning and exchange of practices
  • Are motivated to develop partnerships with employers and to engage in preparatory and follow-up activities
  • Aim to strengthen the European dimension of their organisation through inclusive and socially responsible practices

Objectives

  • Understand the principles of CSR related to social inclusion and diversity
  • Explore barriers and opportunities for the employment of adults with special needs
  • Develop strategies for workplace adaptation, support and job coaching
  • Strengthen collaboration between education providers, support services and employers
  • Promote inclusive organisational cultures and awareness among staff and managers
  • Design training and transition pathways from education to employment
  • Develop an implementation plan for inclusive employment initiatives

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the role of CSR in promoting inclusive employment
  • Identify workplace barriers and propose reasonable accommodations and support measures
  • Design training or transition programmes that prepare adults with special needs for employment
  • Apply job coaching and workplace support strategies
  • Develop awareness and training activities for employers and staff
  • Build partnerships between organisations and local businesses
  • Create and present a workplace inclusion action plan
  • Plan monitoring, evaluation and dissemination activities to ensure sustainable impact

Daily Programme

Day 1 – CSR and inclusive employment foundations

  • Introductions, expectations and group-building activities
  • Understanding CSR and its social dimension
  • Inclusion, diversity and equal opportunities in the workplace
  • Barriers faced by adults with special needs in employment
  • Mapping participants’ organisational contexts and challenges

Day 2 – Preparing adults for the workplace

  • Identifying skills for employability and independence
  • Designing training pathways and work-readiness programmes
  • Individual support planning and person-centred approaches
  • Case studies of successful transition models
  • Group work: designing a preparation pathway

Day 3 – Workplace adaptation and job coaching

  • Reasonable accommodation and accessible work environments
  • Job carving and task adaptation strategies
  • Role of the job coach and workplace mentor
  • Simulation: supporting an employee in a real workplace scenario
  • Reflection and peer feedback

Day 4 – Building partnerships with businesses

  • Engaging employers and raising awareness
  • Communication strategies with companies and HR departments
  • Developing CSR-based collaboration models
  • Designing employer training or awareness sessions
  • Group task: creating a partnership plan

Day 5 – Implementation and sustainability

  • Developing organisational action plans for inclusive employment
  • Monitoring progress and measuring social impact
  • Dissemination and community engagement strategies
  • Sharing good practices and networking
  • Course evaluation, certification and closing reflection