An Open Minded DiGi

Article: 01 April 2008

The Telenor Open Mind programme was recently adopted by DiGi in Malaysia under the name of Open Hearts. - This programme grants disabled an opportunity to be part of DiGi's workforce as they are potential talents still untapped or ignored by other companies, said Adzhar Ibrahim, Head of Human Resources at DiGi.

DiGi first in Malaysia

When adopting Telenor’s Open Mind programme on 1 November 2007, DiGi became the first telecom company in Malaysia to offer computer skills training and work courses for people with disabilities. The participants are hired after the same principles as their colleagues, and receive the same salary as the other employees. To date, DiGi has taken in five disabled persons to attend the programme.

Opportunity to access work life

Open Mind is a trainee programme for people with physical disabilities including people with reduced sight and hearing capabilities. The programme was initiated by Telenor in Norway in 1996. The objective is to give the participants the opportunity to get valuable and relevant work experience that will strengthen their chances to gain access to work life.

Equal and included

“DiGi has offered me the opportunity to explore my potential and learn new skills in a real job situation. I feel accepted as an equal, with the same salary and benefits as the rest. I feel like a true member of the DiGi family”, says 28 year old Kuhan, one of the participants at DiGi’s Open Mind programme.

75 per cent permanently employed

In the past 11 years, the programme has successfully recruited 120 participants in Norway. 75 per cent of these have after the programme secured a full-time job in Telenor or in other companies.

Opening minds and doors

“Companies that have offered our participant’s jobs found them to be strong assets to their organization. This shows that it is not impossible for people with disabilities to do regular work as long as they are given proper training, guidance and above all; an opportunity,” said Ingrid Ihme, Head of Telenors’ Open Mind programme in Norway.

Testemonials from Open Mind at DiGi

Kuhan, 28 years old

In my previous job within financial security I realized that the salary was lower than market rate, and there were no growth, either professionally or financially. Now, thanks to the Open Mind programme, I feel like a true member of the DiGi family. Not once have I felt that my colleagues look at me as a person with disabilities. I have also the opportunity to learn new skills, make more friends and explore my own potential.

Ivy Ten, 20 years old

Before joining the Open Mind programme I worked as a clerk at an ICT Center. The salary provided was insufficient, and there was little to learn. It didn’t feel like a real job. At DiGi however, targets are the same for everyone, as well as salary and benefits. The environment and the culture at DiGi is the best. In addition to the wheel-chair friendly offices, my colleagues are helpful, friendly and supportive. I have so much to learn and look forward to the next phase of my career.

Karen Chen, 40 years old

Everyone I have met at DiGi has been very helpful and friendly. The working environment is comfortable and the facilities are accessible, especially for me, being a wheel-chair user. I hope the Open Mind programme can help me find a job I love and where I will be able to maximize my potential. The programme is great and I hope that DiGi will continue to care for their employees’ well-being.

For more information, please contact:

Scott Engebrigtsen
Head of Information Group Communications
tel.: + 47 90 04 34 84, e-mail: scott.engebrigtsen@telenor.com

Ingrid Ihme, Head of Telenor Open Mind
Tel.: +47 95 03 90 52, e-mail: Ingrid.Ihme@telenor.com