Including the Physically Challenged
Telenor Open Mind is a job training programme offering people with physical disabilities or mental health challenges a unique chance for employment. Result: After completing the programme, three out of four are offered permanent jobs at Telenor or elsewhere.
Telenor Open Mind
- is a training programme for physically challenged people and other health-related problems
- offers 3 months of computer training and courses
- includes 21 months of work experience and training
- admits candidates 3 times a year; in January, April and September
- seeks candidates with diverse educational backgrounds
- motivation and the desire to work is the most important criteria
- is offered in Norway, Sweden and Pakistan
Since 1996, Telenor has enabled about 200 people with physical disabilities, hearing or visual impairment, and mental health related challenges to enter the job market through a two-year empowerment programme.
Training and work experience
The programme consists of an initial period of three months of computer training and coaching courses to enable the participants to feel more confident and goal-oriented. After this follows 21 months of work training for Telenor. The participants work in a variety of departments such as administration, accounting, helpdesk, support, management, surveillance and customer service.
Who can apply?
The Open Mind Programme welcomes applications from people who have some form of physical disability, hearing or vision impairment or mental health related challenges. Qualifications may range from high school/A Level diplomas to degrees in higher education. The most important requirement is motivation and the desire to work. Potential candidates can apply through their local Open Mind office. Candidates outside the countries where the programme is offered are not allegeable to apply. Admissions to the programme take place 3 times per year, in January, April and September.
What are the benefits?
All parties benefit from the programme:
- The participants gain work experience and a chance to prove themselves
- Telenor acquires motivated and qualified employees
- Society benefits from having a larger tax-paying population
Telenor Open Mind recruits physically challenged people because we know they are an asset to the company.
“Telenor Open Mind is not about charity, but about adding value to the company,” says President and CEO of Telenor, Jon Fredrik Baksaas.
A globally expanding programme
The Norwegian-based programme has also been introduced in Sweden and Pakistan. Telenor aims to bring Open Mind to its other operating countries in the near future.
A model used by other companies
Telenor Open Mind is Norway’s largest work training programme integrating people with different work disabilities in regular working life (“Supported Employment”). The programme has received several awards for its efforts to bring people with physical challenges into permanent employment and has generated interest outside Telenor as well. Open Mind is already exchanging expertise and manpower with outside companies and has put together a training-kit for companies who wish to start similar programmes. We are pleased to participate in a broad effort to recruit people with physical challenge.