Ambitious and motivated, but unable to get a job owing to a functional limitation. Unfortunately, it is what people experience every day if they are participation employees; people with a limitation who want to work but are unable to do so without any support. This should be arranged differently is the Government’s opinion, which is shared by BUas. That’s why we have created 14 participation jobs since October 2018, and hired a job coach for participation employees.

Participation coach Kim
And in this way, Kim Evers was hired by BUas. She is every inch a job coach, who guides participation employees in their daily duties. She has talks all day, clarifies things and gives feedback wherever necessary. “Every day and every participation employee is different. I sometimes go and sit near them to have a taste of the atmosphere.” Kim wants to relieve employers as much as possible. It is complicated regulations that are issued by the government and it is rather tricky to estimate what is suitable work and how to find a suitable candidate. ”There is no database with all candidates, and every single municipality has a different course of action,” she explains.

Participation jobs at BUas
Most participation employees within BUas work in the Facility department, such as in the archives team. Their tasks are to scan and digitise documents. A time-consuming, be it important task now that the entire BUas organisation works at one location with less space available for storage and archiving. The other participation employees have an administrative support position.

Realising participation jobs
Kim has contact with all academies and services. She takes a close look at tasks, and discusses with supervisors what activities are core and side ones. Certain side activities can be combined to create a new position. Putting in participation employees could come in useful here, so that permanent staff can focus on core activities. From her network, Kim knows the way and people to be able to hire the right candidates. A good match means there is a right click between (participation) employees.

Personal growth
Being able to let go of side activities and achieving efficiency would be profitable for our organisation. But of course, this is not all that this is about. The real goal is and the most satisfaction is achieved when we see participation employees grow. The employees concerned are very positive about their job, and they appreciate the opportunity they are given by BUas. Even after the participation job has ended, they are supported by the Activeringshuis in Breda. Workshops and training courses are given to help them find the next job.