WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) announced today the selection of four organizations to pilot its Apprenticeship Inclusion Models’ (AIM) initiative. The purpose of the AIM initiative is to expand pathways for youth and adults with disabilities into high-demand, well-paying careers by developing and testing new recruitment and retention strategies with employers, unions, and apprenticeship programs.

The four organizations participating in the AIM initiative pilot are Amazon, Microsoft, the Healthcare Career Advancement Program, and the Industrial Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship program. During a two-year period, these organizations will pilot inclusive apprenticeship programs to provide access to apprenticeship opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities. The pilot organizations will begin working with the AIM initiative in March, 2019.

“Working with an impressive and committed group of well-established organizations, we can develop innovative approaches to ensure people with disabilities have full access to meaningful career opportunities in sectors such as information technology and healthcare,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, Jennifer Sheehy.

As part of the AIM initiative, the participating pilot organizations will receive training and technical assistance from AIM partners to test innovative approaches to inclusive apprenticeship. In addition, AIM will build a national community of practice for interested practitioners and stakeholders to provide resources and gather feedback on developing inclusive apprenticeship programs.

The AIM initiative is a partnership between ODEP, Social Policy Research Associates, Ethos Strategic Consulting, and JFF.