Employment Training and Supports

If you are interested in getting a job, OPWDD provides training activities to build on your strengths and overcome barriers to employment, opportunities to work in an internship that will lead to permanent employment in a community business, and on the job support once you find employment.

If you are interested in finding work in your community, OPWDD wants to support you to be successful. 

OPWDD’s supported employment services include Supported Employment (SEMP) and the Employment Training Program (ETP). 

Supported Employment can provide the supports you need to maintain a paid competitive job in the community. Typically, you will transition to Supported Employment after you have received supported employment services funded by the NYS Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR)  and you require limited job coaching to successfully maintain your employment. 

The Employment Training Program can provide you with an opportunity to work in an internship that will lead to permanent employment in a community business. During the internship, your wages will be paid by through the Employment Training Program while you learn the skills needed for the job. As an Employment Training Program participant, you will also attend job readiness classes that present topics such as conflict resolution and how to dress for work. Employment Training Program services include increased job development and job coaching as well as assistance with other employability skills.

Prevocational services are available to you if you want to work, but need extra help to develop the skills to be successful in the workplace. These services address your vocational interests and can help you build on your strengths and overcome barriers to employment.

These services include support and training related to the ability to obtain and retain employment, excluding training on job tasks. You may or may not perform work for which you are paid while receiving prevocational services.