THE TICKET TO HIRE E-NEWSLETTER

A monthly E-News update for employers committed to creating opportunities for people with disabilities.

Vol. 3, No. 4 May/June 2004

Summer Season Ideal for Youth Hiring, Internships

Ah, school is out and preparations for beach getaways are in order. But for newly graduated job seekers, this is the time to trade caps and gowns for business slacks and skirts.

Among the young people seeking employment are some of the 49.7 million Americans with disabilities. To aid employers in reaching out to this population, the U.S. Department of Labor is urging businesses to use its Workforce Recruitment Program as a source for finding freshly minted college and university graduates.

In addition, the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth, funded by the Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), is taking steps to ensure youth are prepared for the workplace.

Read on to find out more about these two programs.

Workforce Recruitment Program Remains a Popular Resource

Last year more than 300 students and recent graduates with disabilities found summer or permanent jobs through the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP). That number, according to the Labor Department, is expected to increase this year as a result of the program's attractiveness.

"The Workforce Recruitment Program gives students with disabilities the opportunities they need to start successful careers," said U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

Each year, students looking for jobs work through their college or university career counselors to participate in on-campus recruiting sessions with WRP recruiters. During the sessions, students submit their demographic and academic information for inclusion in a WRP database of job candidates.

Federal and private sector employers are then able to access the database, which captures almost 1,600 pre-screened job candidates with disabilities, on a free CD-ROM offered by ODEP and the Department of Defense. Employers can search for potential applicants by academic major, home state or school.

WRP applicants come from more than 180 colleges and universities in over 40 states and territories.

To request a copy of the CD-ROM, go to http://www.wrpjobs.com or contact ODEP ( http://www.dol.gov/odep ) at (202) 693-7880.

National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth Targets Workforce Preparation

Launched in 2001, the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) provides support and guidance for state and local workforce development organizations to better serve youth with disabilities and cultivate them for the workplace.

According to NCWD/Youth, employment success begins with opportunities.

“Research tells us that there're certain things that all people, whether they have a disability or not, need,” said Barbara Kaufmann, senior associate, Institute for Educational Leadership, one of the NCWD/Youth collaborative partners.

Kaufmann explained those “things” include the opportunity to gain work experience through job shadowing, internships, or an actual job.

In the background paper, Making the Connections: Growing and Supporting New Organizations – Intermediaries , NCWD/Youth examines the need for better youth training and development. It continues by identifying employers' workplace needs and offering strategies for state and local level organizations to render youth services to meet those needs.

To stay abreast of NCWD/Youth news and initiatives, check out Intersection: Navigating the Road to Work , a new electronic newsletter that captures NCWD/Youth highlights.

For information and resources on policies and practices related to hiring youth with disabilities, visit the NCWD/Youth Web site at http://www.ncwd-youth.info/

EARN is a nationwide cost-free referral and technical assistance service for employers. EARN connects employers who have job vacancies to recruiting and placement agencies who have direct access to job-ready individuals with disabilities. For information on how to enroll, access the EARN Web site at www.earnworks.com or call us toll-free at 1-866-Earn Now (1-866-327-6669) . Fax EARN at (703) 448-7545 .

Ticket to Hire is a distinct service of EARN that connects employers with job vacancies to vocational rehabilitation agencies and employment networks who have direct access to individuals with disabilities from the Social Security Ticket to Work Program. For information on how to enroll, call Ticket to Hire toll-free at 1-866-TTW-HIRE (1-866-889-4473). Fax Ticket To Hire at (703) 448-7545 .