Melwood Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month with Innovative Training for Jobs of the Future
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (PRWEB) October 03, 2018 -- In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October, Melwood, the largest nonprofit employer for people of differing abilities in the area, is challenging companies to hire people of differing abilities and injured veterans to meet their workforce needs. Melwood currently employs over 1,600 workers, nearly 1,000 of them are people of differing abilities, who work at over 60 federal contract sites and several private businesses.
According to the Brookings Institution, only 4 out of 10 people of differing abilities are employed despite the historically low national unemployment rates. People of differing abilities and injured veterans are an overlooked pipeline for employers in high-demand jobs like IT/cybersecurity, customer care, construction, and hospitality. For example, we are on pace to hit a half million or more unfilled cybersecurity positions by 2021.
As part of its 5-year strategic plan, Melwood is committed to preparing people of differing abilities and injured veterans to fill gaps in today’s workforce and for the jobs of the future.
“Melwood has a 55-year history of demonstrating that, with appropriate professional development training and retention support, people of differing abilities can be successful in the American workforce. Workers of differing abilities employed under our federal contracts consistently get high reviews for quality and performance excellence. I challenge private employers to partner with us so we can be the workforce solution for their labor needs. I can’t think of a better way to support NDEAM’s theme of America’s Workforce: Empowering All,” says Cari DeSantis, President and CEO of Melwood.
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To schedule an interview with Cari DeSantis, President and CEO of Melwood, please contact Sara Newman 240-492-1972 or email sanewman(at)melwood.org.
About Melwood
Melwood is one of the largest employers of people of differing abilities in the country, employing over 1,600 workers, nearly 1,000 of them are people of differing abilities. Melwood offers job placement, job training, life skills for independence, and support services to more than 2,500 people each year in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Melwood also provides an inclusive camp program for children and provides employment and support services to veterans and active duty military members who have experienced service-related trauma or injury. For more information visit http://www.Melwood.org.
Sara Newman, Melwood, http://www.melwood.org, 240-492-1972, [email protected]
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