Blue Jay Foundation is a registered Australian Charity which aims to provide paid work experience to young people with Asperger's Syndrome currently seeking employment. Work experience programs take place in Asperger friendly environments and each person is employed by the organisation for a 4 week program (4 days per week). The aim of the program is to give each person a short introduction to off
ice life by being exposed to various social scenarios within the workplace. Workers will be asked to engage with colleagues in various ways: initial interview, meeting for coffee, various discussions with employer, answering phones, walking to post office, talking to clients. Situations that may produce anxiety. The worker is also given a chance to utilise their own established skills which may include spreadsheeting, writing, designing or any other skills they may have. The main objective of the program is for the employee to experience a safe workplace environment where mistakes are allowed while gaining new knowledge to take with them into their chosen field. Each employee is paid award office administration hourly rates for the full 4 week duration. Blue Jay Foundation and the employer equally contribute to the wages of the employee. All funds raised by Blue Jay Foundation go directly towards funding paid work placements. Blue Jay Foundation is a non profit organisation and all funds raised are applied solely in furtherance of the above objectives. Email [email protected] if you would like further information.
