Louis Sabourin: Finding your place, one internship at a time

Louis Sabourin seems shy at first, but within minutes he begins opening up and even cracks a smile. Accompanied by his teacher, Mélanie, he has graciously agreed to take some time to talk about his internship at Sollio Agriculture.

From 9:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Louis cleans and sorts grain.

“I like the internship! Mélanie is the one who found it for me. I like how quiet my job is.”

The Sollio Agriculture internship is one of two that Louis must complete this year for his pre-employment training. The training program, offered for students aged 16 to 21 with significant learning disabilities, aims to support participants in entering the workforce at their own pace by giving them the tools to be autonomous and effective in their job. The training consists of three 4-day exploratory internships in the first year, two 26-day internships in the second year, and two 48-day internships in the third. This not only prepares the students for the future but also gives them a chance to discover a variety of industries in which they can thrive.

A warm welcome

Louis says that Sollio Agriculture’s caring work environment is reassuring, and so is the general atmosphere, which he particularly enjoys. Since Louis uses a walker to get around, it was essential for him to find a workplace that would adapt to him.

“The people are very welcoming. I prefer being in a library and sorting books, and at Sollio Agriculture, they set things up so that I would be comfortable. My job allows me to work quietly and take my time.” He quickly adds, “I’m learning about all sorts of grasses and the importance of precision. If I don’t do my job properly, the rest of the work will get thrown off track.”

For Louis’ physical comfort, an occupational therapist installed a seat for him, where he can do his job in peace on his internship days.

Mélanie says that the internship is much more than an introduction to the farming industry, because Sollio Agriculture is also an example of a people-focused workplace that is open and accessible to neurodivergent people. She says she celebrates this collaboration between the cooperative and the educational world: “They are very good listeners, and my students can feel at home here, no matter their needs.”