Project H.I.R.E, Job Search Help for Adults with Disabilities, Accepting Applicants

06/25/2010
LYNNWOOD, WA — Edmonds College’s Project H.I.R.E. (Hire Individuals Ready for Employment), a program which helps adults with disabilities find great jobs, is now accepting new applicants. The college received a second $100,000 grant in federal stimulus funds via the state’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to continue the project through September 2010.

Qualified applicants for Project H.I.R.E. must have a documentable disability (such as learning disabilities, A.D.H.D., dyslexia, diabetes, physical or other disabilities) and may or may not need accommodation on the job. They must be actively seeking work.

Once admitted to the program, each job seeker gains the help of a personal job developer, who will call employers with suitable job openings on their behalf. They’ll also get help with resumes and job interview preparation, and assistance to obtain tools to aid in a job search including interview clothing, certifications, licenses, tools, and uniforms.

Since Project H.I.R.E. began a year ago, the service has found jobs for adults with disabilities in information technology, government, and social service fields. Job developers are now assisting applicants to find work in health care, green jobs, and other in-demand sectors.

“In a tough job market, even in an in demand field, it can take extra effort to find the right job opening,” said Anne Penny, business outreach coordinator at Edmonds College. “A protracted job search can be onerous, especially for people with disabilities, and put a real strain on families. We want to make sure qualified people, who have trained for skilled positions, don’t end up settling for anything less than a great career.”