Late in 2018, a diverse group of companies, community and educators met to cement a partnership that would bring high-quality career pathways — apprenticeships — to southeastern Kentucky’s Appalachian region. The Kentucky Advanced Technical College High, which was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, combined technical instruction with paid, on-the-job training under a skilled mentor. The goal was to help students in the region move smoothly from high school to postsecondary education and employment.

Meet Isaiah Parsons, a 22-year-old Missouri builder who has already been working in the industry for four years. He’s also been awarded a nationally recognized qualification, as well as being a supervisor and manager. His secret to success? The Missouri Registered Youth Apprenticeship Program (RYA). While still at high school, Isaiah started out at the very bottom, sweeping buildings before tackling carpentry after about six months. He worked hard and is now among the 75 qualified apprentices who’ve completed one of Missouri’s 26 RYA programs. The program is for 16- to 21-year-olds in high school or post-secondary education, and participants start their apprenticeship while still in junior high school.

Casting the net wider for a more diverse workforce makes sense as people with disabilities could represent an untapped demographic to fill your skills shortage. As of February, about four in 10 people with a disability are in the US workforce, compared to almost double that figure for people without a disability.