Education and Special Vocational Training Department

Young people aged 14 to 25 at their intake year are being accepted and their attendance lasts up to 5 years. The introduction to our services and programs follows the evaluation conducted by the interdisciplinary team consisted of the following experts: psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, special education teacher, occupational therapist.

The programs are designed according to the anthropocentric model, where professionals, family and the young person himself/herself cooperate for the modification of a personalized plan according to his/her needs.

The following services are offered:

• Education
• Special vocational training
• Support in employment
• Training in supported living
• Associated Programs

Since 2019 the department develops the new innovative curriculum “Training aiming to the transition to adulthood”. It consists of a significant expansion in the field of learning while new classes and educational tools are offered: educational handbooks in an easy-to-read form, narratology, optional classes, political education (training in human rights and self-advocacy), training in the community, widening of vocational orientation, sex education, social stories, digital education, art classes etc. The program offers the context and the educational tools so that learning can be personalized.

We consider the building of the adult identity of adolescents with intellectual disability essential for their true autonomy and their ability to make decisions for their life. In other words, it is needed for the establishment of social equity, as it is being understood in our times, and it is a product of the progress and conquests of people with intellectual disability globally. The program equips the students with the necessary competences and skills, but also with self-knowledge, so that a positive identity of a person with intellectual disability can be established.

When their attendance comes to an end, the young people can proceed to the department of employment of adults, provided that they would like to and that there is an available placement. Alternatively, they can contest for a vacancy in the open market.

Department of Adults Employment/Vocational Occupation

MARGARITA Vocational Training Center offers services of employment in workshops since 1984. The lack of an institutional framework does not allow us to have sheltered workshops.

In our workshops, the graduates of the department of Educational and Special Vocational Training occupy themselveswith productive activities that can enhance their motivation and theireffort to respond to the role of the employee.

The workshops offered are:

• Silkscreen print workshop
• Weaving workshop
• Jewelry and creation workshop
• Jordan almondsworkshop
• Drama workshop
• Gardening workshop
• Cooking workshop

Currently, the new operation of the workshops has been designed in a way that addresses a vocational upgrade, a link with job market, the configuration of packets, the regular exposure.

On Fridays workshops turn to a flexible zone of activities, with educative seminars, entertaining activities and hobbies cultivation, according to the beneficiaries’ preferences.

The beneficiaries are occupied in the workshops until the age of 40 years old.

Work Integration Service

MARGARITA Vocational Training Center has integrated in the job market until now 35 graduates. The Work Integration Service operates since 1990 and examines the following:

• The will of each beneficiary to work
• The ability and/or will of the family to support the beneficiary in this effort
• The skills of each beneficiary
• Potential work places

The Service works according to the Supported Employment model and targets the following fields:

• Work placement during their attendance
• Vocational guidance and configuration of their professional profile
• Digging up of potential employers and matching of the candidates to suitable vacancies
• Job training
• Supervision of the employees. Currently, “MARGARITA” supports regularly 15 employees
• Support for the employers and provision of information for any funded vacancies by the OAED programs
• Support for the families of the beneficiaries
• Planning of educational activities in coordination with enterprises, such as the job shadowing

Training in the Supported Living

“MARGARITA” responding to an important need of its young people and families, started in October 2013, a pilot program of training in Supported Living.

The program includes training of 4 membered teams in a privately owned, renovated and specifically adjusted flat in the town of Pagkrati. The duration is for 14 meetings the weekends and specifically trained staff works 24hours in shifts. The approach is holistic and includes the operation of a parents’ team, a beneficiaries’ team and a staff supervision.

The aim of the program is the personal development of the participants in a functional, emotional and social level but also the acquisition of a larger degree of autonomy in the prospect of autonomous living and the cohabitation with the family.