New program to help students with disabilities transition into workforce
Started as a pilot program in 2023, Career Launchpad has now expanded its services to include a more comprehensive range of pre-employment transition services tailored to meet the needs of students as they navigate and explore various industries and professions.
“The Career Launchpad program represents a critical opportunity for students with disabilities in California to gain the skills, knowledge and real-world experience they need to succeed in their future careers,” said Nicholas Wyman, CEO of IWSI America. “Our partnership with DOR ensures that students with disabilities are supported with the resources they need to transition from high school into the workforce with confidence and competence.”
“We are excited to offer this program in collaboration with IWSI America to ensure students with disabilities have the resources and abilities they need to explore whatever professional interests they may have in an inclusive and supportive environment,” said DOR Director Kim Rutledge. “This type of robust training and development opportunity not only puts students on a pathway to career success but also to greater independence and self-sufficiency.”
The Career Launchpad initiative is part of IWSI America and the DOR’s ongoing commitment to improving employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities and helping bridge the gap between education and career opportunities. The program’s outreach efforts extend to justice-involved youth and youth in the foster care system, with services including:
Job exploration counseling: Tailored career advice, exploring in-demand occupations and job market trends.
Work-based learning experiences: Opportunities for students to visit employer sites and engage in real-world work experiences.
Post-secondary counseling: Guidance on educational programs, including college, vocational training, apprenticeships and more.
Workplace readiness training: Essential skills, including financial literacy, resume building, job application and networking techniques, and professional workplace behaviors.
Self-advocacy training: Empowering students to communicate and assert their rights in both educational and workplace settings.
IWSI America will deliver Career Launchpad services in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange and San Bernardino counties. The program will be available daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., both online and in person. For more information, visit www.careerlaunchpad.org. To learn more about the DOR, visit www.dor.ca.gov.
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You can learn more about the Department of Rehabilitation by visiting: https://www.dor.ca.gov/
About IWSI America
The Institute for Workplace Skills & Innovation America is a workforce development organization that empowers businesses, nonprofits and government agencies by unlocking the full potential of people.
For more than two decades, IWSI America has worked with employers as well as states and localities to establish and help build modern, sustainable apprenticeship programs. IWSI also serves as an advisor on the design and implementation of such programs to assist nonprofit and for-profit entities in growing pipelines of talent to meet the needs of a dynamic workforce in a rapidly changing work environment. Learn more at https://www.iwsiamerica.org.