Exploring a career in the disability sector

C onsidering we spend a considerable amount of time at our jobs, we should certainly ensure that such time is spent in a meaningful and creative way. Earning an income is just one of the rewards of employment, however money alone cannot buy happiness at the place of work. If one is looking for a career that offers many challenges, a career in the disability field is an ideal choice. Employees working in this field have a profound impact on a person’s life, making a career in the disability sector unique in its own way. Providing care and support to persons with a disability, and supporting them to become more independent and confident in their own abilities is very rewarding in many ways.

Being the national service provider in the field of disability services, Aġenzija Sapport offers a wide array of careers in the disability sector all of which have an impact on the lives of others, no matter how small. Aġenzija Sapport currently employs over 500 employees as part of its operations, most of whom are Support Workers who provide direct support and care for persons with a disability in the Agency’s main services, being day, residential and community. This role, which is offered both on part-time and full-time basis, is well-suited for persons with a genuine desire to promote inclusion and independence of persons with a disability in our communities as well as to make a difference to another person’s quality of life by ensuring that service users achieve their maximum potential according to their abilities. The most rewarding aspect of this role is assisting service-users in developing their skills that would eventually enable them to make decisions affecting their own lives and to live as independently as possible in their community.

Aġenzija Sapport also offers a good range of career opportunities at a professional level. Such roles include Social Workers, Allied Health professionals (including Occupational Therapists), Nurses, Support Executives, Services’ Leaders and Coordinators and Sign Language Interpreters. All of these professions require employees to work together around the needs of persons with a disability as well as their families, resulting in better coordination of their profession, whilst ensuring that our service-users achieve their best potential in enhancing their quality of life.

Further to the above careers, Aġenzija Sapport also offers various employment opportunities within its back-office operations. Being the largest service provider in the disability sector in Malta, the Agency needs a solid foundation to be able to run successfully and to achieve more in terms of productivity and efficiency. In this regard, Aġenzija Sapport employs a good number of Administrative Support Workers, Executives and Senior Executives within its back-office Departments, including Human Resources, Finance, Marketing and Administration, Procurement and EU Projects Department.

Voluntary Work

Apart from the above career opportunities, Aġenzija Sapport also offers an opportunity for volunteers who wish to start involving themselves in the disability sector. Through the Sharing Lives service, volunteers can offer some of their time to support persons with a disability within the community. Apart from offering a sense of achievement and a way to meet new people and build your confidence, volunteering with the Agency is a great way to help you to build the skills you might need before going straight into paid work with our Agency.

Students’ Placement

Aġenzija Sapport also provides opportunities for students who wish to conduct their placement in the disability sector. Students will have the opportunity to learn how other professionals bring their expertise and experience to the team to provide support for persons with a disability. A student placement is a great opportunity to experience what all the above roles entail, as well as make valuable connections with other professionals working within the Agency.

Self-Development

At Aġenzija Sapport, we are firm believers in the employees’ professional growth and development. In this regard, we offer a wide range of professional development training opportunities to all our employees in order to help them build credibility and self-confidence in their role with the Agency. Also, the career progression opportunities offered at Aġenzija Sapport are a key part of our attractive package. We acknowledge that when employees are offered career progression opportunities, it helps them feel like they are growing with the Agency, which eventually provides them with a sense of purpose. Staff well-being is also high on the Agency’s agenda, with various opportunities and benefits in place.

Thus, when you choose to work with our Agency, you have an opportunity not only to develop professional skills in supporting persons with a disability, but you can make a real difference in that person’s life. Aġenzija Sapport highly encourages you to seek a career in the disability sector and take the opportunity to work in a dynamic and exciting sector. It might be the time to start that rewarding career you have always wanted.

Visit the Agency’s website, www.sapport.gov.mt, vacancies section, for regular job opportunities! Regular updates are also posted on our Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

Upcoming Events

Aġenzija Sapport professionals will be available to discuss career possibilities with students at the following careers fairs:

De La Salle College Careers Day 13th March 2019

I Choose Careers Fairs:

22nd March – Gozo Sports Complex

27th, 28th, 29th March – St Ignatius College, Siġġiewi Primary School.