One Way to Deal With The Shortage of Front Line Support Workers
BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario all have college level training programs for people who provide front line supports to people with intellectual disabilities.
It is tempting to refer to these programs in the job ads for your agency, but that could be a big mistake.
“Disability Support Worker II training a definite asset”
A simple statement like this will cripple your recruiting effort. For two big reasons:
- Those who don’t know what it is will very likely not apply.
- Those who know what it is, but don’t have it, will generally not apply either.
In my travels across the country and the many interviews I have done with front line managers, HR managers and executive directors, I always ask these leaders in the field, how they got into the field. The vast majority did not know about this field at all when the first applied for a job within it. They came into the field as a part time worker and then they loved it and stayed.
We need to write job ads that are as inclusive as possible and inspire as many people as possible to apply.
Here is my job ad for front line support workers:
- Are you dependable and resourceful?
- Do you have lots of energy, intuition and initiative?
- Can you effectively manage and work with all kinds of people in all kinds of situations?
Being a front line support worker for our agency is all these things and more.
Do you want to:
- Make positive change in your community?
- Work flexible hours?
- Be paid more than you would at Tim’s while doing something truly rewarding?
Our agency operates homes in the community for people with intellectual disabilities. Working with us is not easy, but for the right kind of person it can be very rewarding. You get to become a key person in other people’s lives, helping them to be all that they can be. If you think this sounds more rewarding than working at the mall, then our agency would like to talk with you.
Training is provided, including support to attend college courses, if you see this as a career you would like to pursue further.
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GREAT advice!!!