The USAID Social Inclusion through technology project implemented by the iVote foundation hosted a closing event on March the 7th and official promotion of HubIT, the first center in Macedonia and the region that will offer services to young persons with disabilities and help them start careers in the IT sector. Also, the center will provide services to companies to increase the accessibility of their services and products. HubIT was established during the project activities and was additionally rewarded as a successful social entrepreneurship concept from the European Union Smart Start project.
SIT has been fostering social inclusion of young people with disabilities in the workforce by integrating them in the fastest growing sector in the country — the information technology sector. The project was implemented by iVote Foundation in cooperation with Open the Windows and the Association of Students and Youth with Disabilities in Macedonia.
United States Ambassador to Macedonia Jess Baily and the Minister of Labour and Social Policy Mila Carovska will give opening remarks at the event.
The United States Ambassador to Macedonia Jess Bailey said: "We are proud of our USAID Social Inclusion through Technology project participants because they have broken the myths and showed the business sector that young people with disabilities can be employed and fully contribute to the rapidly growing information technology sector in Macedonia. "
"I applaud the projects that strengthen the potential of persons with disabilities and the companies that employ these people. The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy has provided additional support for creation of jobs for persons with disabilities in 2018, and we are also working on opening two centers for work-oriented rehabilitation"- said the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Mila Carovska.
USAID’s Social Inclusion through Technology is a one-and-half year project that has developed an online learning platform with 20 fully accessible trainings for business acumen, soft skills and basic information technologies, and combined these trainings with mentorship and practical experience for youth with disabilities in selected IT companies. So far, ASSECCO, CEFE Macedonia, iVote, New Moment, Arslamina, and Tinex have opened their doors for internships and employment for youth with disabilities. Companies interested in partnering with HUBIT! should contact Marija Armenski at marija.armenski@ivotefoundation.org.
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