Vocational Coach

Employer: Grace Orchard School

Job Summary

As a vocational coach, you will develop and deliver the Vocational Education curriculum and shape the continuum of work experience for students, aged between 13 and 18 years old, with mild intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder. You will also work closely with the community and industry partners to provide tailored and meaningful on-the-job learning opportunities for our students and ensure their smooth transition to the workplace.

Duties and Responsibilities

A) Curriculum Teaching and Learning

• Develop and implement training plans for students on Work Experience covering the teaching of relevant soft and hard skills in alignment with the curriculum.
• Design and customise training and assessment materials and tools to support and enhance student learning and engagement.
• Monitor and track student’s progress and provide ongoing feedback for their improvement
• Review and improve the curriculum and implement to enhance student learning, experience and outcomes.

B) Design and Implement the Continuum of Work Experience

• Design and implement a continuum of Work Experience for the different student profile(s).
• Identify and engage community and industry partners to create relevant and meaningful work-based opportunities to meet students’ strengths, interests and aspirations
• Collaborate with teachers, Allied Professionals, and community partners to co-develop skills development activities for students as part of the pre-placement preparation and training. Skills could include grooming and interview skills.
• Collaborate with teachers and Allied Professionals in co-planning and co-delivering the Vocational Education curriculum (i.e. vocational guidance, soft skills and hard skills) through the Continuum of Work Experience.
• Plan, design and implement work experiences in school, community and workplaces catering to students’ interests, strengths and working goals
• Work closely with community and industry partners to increase their understanding and support of our students’ learning and skills development in the workplace.
• Design and conduct pre-placement training and assessment. Liaise with work site personnel to put in place appropriate job accommodations and modifications according to students’ profiles and needs as well as requirement of the employers.
• Conduct regular assessment, monitoring and evaluation of students’ progress and performance at Work Experience using appropriate tools.

C) Provide Vocational Coaching and Career Guidance

• Develop the Individual Transition Plan for students with their teachers, Allied Professionals and parents to ensure smooth transition from school to post-school employment or further education.
• Identify suitable work experience for students according to students’ interests and strengths in alignment to their Individual Transition Plan.
• Accompany and provide on-site coaching and instruction to students on Work Experience.
• Plan and conduct career preparation/awareness activities such as site visits, field trips, school-based / community-based work experience for students .
• Ensure students attain the requirement for the work experience attachment, including the attainment of the WSQ Food Hygiene SOA, as applicable.

D) Communicate with Internal and External Stakeholders

• Share knowledge and insights on students’ interests, strengths and aspirations, and work progress, to the relevant stakeholders so as to garner support and facilitate effective coaching.
• Provide timely feedback on students’ progress, key areas of strengths and growth to families at suitable platforms.
• Forge and sustain strategic partnerships with volunteers, community and industry partners through creating awareness and capacity building.
• Advocate for opportunities for students to practice their skills in authentic settings

E) Administration / Other duties

• Manage administrative matters such as insurance and allowance for students on work attachments and internships
• Carry out procurement of training materials and tools for the work experience programme.
• Organise and maintain proper documentation in the School Management System on student attendance, data and records in relation to vocational training and work experience for reporting and decision making.
• Contribute to the assigned committee/team/taskforce in an engaged and constructive manner
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Recognised Diploma (minimum) and above academic qualification
• Relevant training in special education **
• At least 3 to 5 years of working with individuals with intellectual disabilities and or autism **
• Prior experience in vocational training, assessment or placement and job support **
• Effective communication, and able to build or maintain positive working relationship with internal and external partners
• Good organizational skills to ensure optimal utilization of resources for the vocational training and work experience programme

**preferred but not compulsory