Is there a job in your future?
Overview
Is there a job in your future?
Working or volunteering can be a rewarding part of life, leading to friendships and feelings of pride and accomplishment. OPWDD employment and vocational services give you a look at available employment and volunteer options. You can learn the skills you will need to develop to enter the workplace or volunteer. You can develop a plan for achieving competitive, integrated employment at or above the New York State minimum wage or explore unpaid or volunteer experiences. You can discover your strengths and abilities and develop the social skills needed to succeed in your desired career. Read about some people with developmental disabilities who are making a difference through their work.
Create a Career Plan and Get Training to Work
Pathway to Employment
Pathway to Employment helps people figure out what they are good at and what they are interested in. Pathway to Employment also helps people get work-related experiences, learn job skills and make a career plan. It is a short-term service that can wrap around your current schedule.
Community Based Prevocational Services
Community Based Prevocational Services can include volunteer work where people can develop general, work-related skills that will help them prepare for and succeed in a job. Community Based Prevocational Services can also help people develop new skills that will prepare them to get a new job.
Career Specific Training Program
Career Specific Training Programs are industry specific classes provided through a service provider agency and combined with community vocational experiences. These programs will increase a person’s occupational skills to better meet the needs of today’s employers. People who successfully complete the class will begin job development through OPWDD’s Employment Training Program.
State Resources
These resources will help you start your job exploration. Click on Job Openings to find a New York State Career Center location near you, operated by the Department of Labor. Or click on Employment Services System to learn about about the Ticket to Work, for those job hunters with disabilities.