From overlooked to job-ready: Training equips jobseekers with disabilities for decent work in Lebanon

© ILO

© ILO

Beirut (ILO-News) - The Career Preparedness Training Programme, led by Lebanon’s Ministry of Social Affairs under ENABLE programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and in collaboration with the Lebanese NGO Arcenciel, supports jobseekers with disabilities to strengthen workplace readiness through practical training in digital literacy and career planning.

Designed to be inclusive and hands-on, the programme equips participants with tools to navigate recruitment processes, communicate their skills effectively and explore emerging technologies, including assistive and AI-enabled solutions that broaden access to employment.

For many participants, the training marked a transformative step in rebuilding confidence and renewing ambition for decent work. What follows are personal testimonies shared in the participants’ own words, illustrating how structured guidance and skills development shifted expectations, expanded opportunity and helped bridge the gap between talent and the labour market.

Charbel: Growing skills and self-confidence as a designer

© ILO

© ILO

Charbel, a 24-year-old graphic designer with spina bifida, had the talent and technical foundation, but lacked the confidence to present his work, negotiate with clients, or speak comfortably during interviews. Years of feeling underestimated had slowly made him doubt whether he could truly advance in his field.

The training became a turning point. It not only introduced him to advanced digital tools but also gave him practical techniques in communication—dialogue, debate, active listening, and self-expression. With each session, he began to see the value of his skills more clearly and to trust that he could engage with clients and employers on equal footing.

“I learned how to listen to others’ opinions and understand different perspectives,” he explained. “It helped me express myself better and speak with more confidence.”

The most meaningful change, however, was internal. As his confidence grew, so did his ambition. He started taking on more challenging tasks, seeking new clients, and planning future projects he once thought were beyond his reach.

“What matters most,” he said, “is realizing that no matter how much you learn, there is always a part of you that can grow further.”

Salam: Turning challenges into opportunity

© ILO

© ILO

For Salam, who has scoliosis and dwarfism, the sessions opened doors he never thought possible. Although he had experience in accounting and administration, interviews were often overwhelming. He said she struggled to present her strengths confidently, and employers frequently overlooked his potential.

During the training programme, he learned how to prepare for interviews in a structured and professional way, how to communicate his skills with clarity, and how to highlight his strengths without hesitation. The training also introduced his to assistive technologies and AI tools that he had never used before—resources that expanded his possibilities and helped him work more efficiently.

As Salam applied these new skills, his confidence grew. He began approaching job opportunities with greater assurance, feeling equipped to advocate for himself and to pursue roles he once believed were out of reach. The transformation was both technical and personal: he discovered abilities, autonomy and a sense of direction he had not recognized in herself.

“This training wasn’t just hours of study,” Salam explained. “It changed the way I think and opened a door to abilities I hadn’t seen in myself.”

Zeinab: Redefining autonomy and ambitions

© ILO

© ILO

For Zeinab, a visually impaired mother of one, the programme became a chance to revive ambitions she had put on hold for years. Although she held a degree in English literature, stepping back into the workforce felt daunting. She lacked recent experience, hadn’t updated her CV in years, and had lost confidence in her ability to compete for jobs.

The training helped her rebuild that foundation step by step. She strengthened her CV writing, interview techniques, and communication skills, learning how to present her qualifications with clarity and assurance. As she practiced these new skills, something shifted: she began to picture a future where she could support her daughter independently and re-enter the job market with dignity.

“I now see myself ready to enter the job market confidently,” she said.

But her ambitions extend beyond securing a job. “In five years, I want to gain experience, become financially independent, and build a stable home for me and my daughter.”

Mohammad: Shaping a career from strong digital skills

© ILO

© ILO

Mohammad lives with bilateral pyramidal syndrome and spastic paralysis. Despite having strong IT skills and a deep interest in technology, he struggled to move forward without formal work experience or guidance on how to position himself in the job market. Opportunities felt distant, and he often felt unsure about how to translate his abilities into a real career path.

The programme changed this trajectory. Through guided exercises, personalised coaching, and one-on-one support, he learned how to present his technical skills, identify suitable roles, and build a realistic, step-by-step plan for entering the workforce. For the first time, he could see a clear direction before him—and the practical steps needed to get there.

“This career preparedness was the foundation that turned my potential into real opportunity,” he reflected.

The stories that emerged from the training programme bear testimony to how, when persons with disabilities thrive when they are given access, not sympathy; opportunity, not assumptions; and respect, not doubt. The accounts of the trainees serve as reminders that the labour market in Lebanon does not lack talent. In many cases, it simply needs to see it, include it, and believe in it.