The program was developed by a group of field specialists from various vocational companies, in collaboration with Mintra AS.  “The Road to a Working Life” has a low user threshold, accommodates individual adaptations, and is well suited to The Association of Vocational Rehabilitation Enterprises’ target groups.  The combination of various media makes it easier for people with reading and writing difficulties, and for minority language immigrants.  The program is suitable for various vocational rehabilitation initiatives, and contributes to standardising and quality controlling the content and methods used in rehabilitation work.  The program is a supplement to other methods used in various initiatives.

“The Road to a Working Life” is a method enabling participants to develop and own a personal action plan.  Course participants work at their own tempo and make individual choices.  The program considers participants as independent and active, and they decided themselves how the course will unfold.  The object of the program is to be a significant element in working toward increasing motivation and strengthening self image.  “The Road to a Working Life” consists of eight modules:

• My Choices
• Joy of Life
• Communication
• Working Life
• Carrier Choice
• Job Search
• The Path Ahead
• Evaluation

Experiences with the Program
Approximately 70 of 100 vocational rehabilitation companies use the e-learning program, “The Road to a Working Life”.  In the e-learning course, there is an integrated questionnaire, where users can register their evaluation of the course.  Around 2500 user evaluations show that participants are largely satisfied with the course, exercises, information, and guidance they receive.  60% of participants indicate that they experience the topics addressed as relevant, and 70% are of the opinion that the course was helpful in their job search.  Just as many say that they would recommend the course to others.

The Road to a Working Life as a Research Object
In her Master’s thesis, Gunn Marit Arnegard conducted a study of “The Road to a Working Life”.  Her in depth interviews with participants and instructors support and confirm the electronic evaluations.  The conclusion from her respondents indicates that users experience the course as relevant.  In her conclusion, she emphasises that good guidance is extremely important for ensuring that “The Road to a Working Life” has the desired effect as a pedagogical tool.  At the same time, she pointed out that the course has the potential for improvement, and further development is necessary, both technically and pedagogically, as well as the content.

In the survey conducted by The Association of Vocational Rehabilitation Enterprises among member companies, during the spring of 2007, over 80% answered they will continue to use the program, and expect an equal number of users as there are today.  Just as many said that an update to the current course would make it both more stable and forward-looking.  Over 85% of the companies also saw, in this context, a need to revise the course content.

Revising “The Road to a Working Life”
Currently, a revision of “The Road to a Working Life” is underway, with the object of technically upgrading the program and moving it to a new technological platform.  At the same time, there will be certain adjustments to content, based on user feedback.  The new version will be ready in the New Year.
 
The Association of Vocational Rehabilitation Enterprises has compiled a 70 page instructional binder for course instructors working with “The Road to a Working Life”.  It will also be updated to correspond with the new version.

This revision work shows that good e-learning can have a longer lifespan when it is revised and upgraded based on qualified feedback from course users.  This allows the course to maintain its broad range, while still being a useful and exciting tool for the target group.

Do you have questions about the course?  Contact Solveig Jenssven in The Association of Vocational Rehabilitation Enterprises, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

You can find a demo version of “The Road to a Working Life” on www.attforingsbedriftene.no (only in Norwegian).

Are you interested in upgrading existing e-learning courses?  Contact Chul Aamodt, Director of Marketing and Sales in Mintra AS, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Article by: Per Christian Langset, Public Relations Manager for The Association of Vocational Rehabilitation Enterprises in NHO

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