Nature and extent of on-the-job training for employees with an intellectual disability: a pilot study

Problems have been identified in the provision of on-the-job training for people with disabilities. The aim of this study was to investigate staff knowledge and use of appropriate training strategies, and the perceptions of employees with intellectual disabilities of the on-the-job training. Three staff and four employees with intellectual disabilities working in one Australian Disability Enterprise participated in the study. Questionnaires, interviews, and examination of training documentation were used to examine the provision of on-the-job training to employees with intellectual disabilities. Staff reported on their knowledge and use of 15 empirically validated training and support strategies. Of these 15 strategies, only 2 were reported to have been used consistently by staff. Employees with intellectual disabilities reported that they were eager to learn new work skills but were not receiving the necessary training to assist them in learning such skills. The minimal utilisation of available training strategies to teach employees with intellectual disabilities workplace skills may indicate a lack of knowledge or confidence, or both, by staff in using the various training strategies. Further research is needed into the skills needed by staff whose job requires provision of on-the-job training to people with intellectual disabilities.