2021 Volume 2021 Issue 31 Pages 300-321
Competent job coaches are vital human resources in implementing a national supported employment program. The supported employment implemented in Malaysia since 2012 aims to create sustainable employment for persons with disabilities (PWDs) nationwide. This research examined the job coach training approaches in Malaysia, its positive impact, challenges and areas for improvement. Job coaches that were trained are mainly practitioners from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and in-house job coaches who are supervisors and buddies of employees with disabilities in the private companies. Thematic analysis of this research included progress and impact on the development of supported employment in Malaysia; effectiveness of job coach training and additional knowledge as well as skills recommended to be taught. Certification of job coaches based on the Malaysian PWDs Job Coaching National Occupational Skills Standards was recommended to be implemented. The research concluded that though there is room for improvement in the job coach training program implemented in Malaysia, it was recorded that the job coach training in Malaysia has already impacted other countries, such as, China, Myanmar, Jordan and other Middle Eastern countries. It is therefore, crucial for the relevant authorities to further enhance the development of the job coach training in Malaysia, so that the employment for PWDs in Malaysia will progress further and that Malaysia will continue to be a model to other Asian countries on supported employment.
