Let’s face it – we all want to remove the barriers that keep job seekers from landing that much-needed role. We talk about the obstacles they face – lack of experience, limited education, gaps in their CVs – but often, we overlook the hurdles outside their control. What about bias in recruitment processes? Employer policies that perpetuate inequality? The attitudes of staff that unknowingly create more barriers than they remove?

In this session, we’re going beyond the usual ‘barriers’ narrative to explore the systemic blockers embedded in the very fabric of supported employment services. We’ll dive deep into the biases and assumptions that we – and our employers – might not even realize are holding job seekers back. We’re all here to make a difference, but without fully understanding the barriers from both sides, our efforts will fall short.

Through an eye-opening privilege walk and an empathy mapping exercise, we’ll gain insights into how privilege – or the lack thereof – shapes the experiences of job seekers. Then, we’ll take it a step further and put ourselves in their shoes, mapping out what it’s really like to navigate the job market when the odds aren’t stacked in your favor. This is about more than just “fixing” the candidate; it’s about fixing the system around them.

By the end of this workshop, you’ll not only have a better grasp of the hidden barriers at play, but you’ll also walk away with new tools to approach your work with the empathy, understanding, and fresh perspective needed to truly make an impact.

This in-person workshop is free to OETA/NAWDP members.