Project HIRE Disability Apprenticeship Program
Project HIRE, an apprenticeship program, which provides individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities between the ages of 18 and 25 a meaningful paid job training experience with a Prince George’s County Government agency.
Participants will be placed within a Host County agency for a period of one year and during this time they will have an opportunity to enhance current skills, learn new skills, and gain on the job work experience.
See Photos from the NDEAM Career Fair
Eligibility
- Prince George's County resident with an intellectual or developmental disability
- 18-25 years of age
- Available to work Monday through Friday for a maximum of 8 hours
Benefits to Hiring a Project HIRE Program Participant
Employees with disabilities are more likely to keep a longer tenure with a company, meaning your training and recruitment costs can be minimized. They also tend to seek stable and reliable work, and are thus less likely to resign and move on to another job.
Minimal cost for appropriate accommodations
The U.S. Department of Labor Job Accommodation Newtork reports that accommodations are usually low cost (less than $500) and in half the cases, no cost was made to accommodate the employee's needs (e.g. dress code allowances, flexible scheduling, and telecommuting).
The Maryland Disability Employment Tax Credit (MDETC)
Employers are able to claim credit for employees with disabilities who have been certified by the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) or the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) as having met established criteria.
How to Enroll
Participants
Contact your support Employment Provider Agency and they will assist you in completing the Project HIRE application.
Project HIRE Partners
If you are interest in becoming a Partner of the program, please call us at (301) 265-8450.
Project HIRE Program Manager
Valerie Berkeley
Valerie Berkeley
Email: VFBerkeley@co.pg.md.us
Adrian Dantzler, Sr.