Manpower Launches Project Ability to Find Employment for People with Disabilities

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Initially launched in San Jose, Calif., the program works together in partnership with community organizations TransAccess, Project HIRED and the California State Department of Rehabilitation. Manpower's Project Ability program has already enlisted several companies to commit to hiring individuals with disabilities, including Abbott and SVTC Technologies.

"Bringing people into the workplace and connecting them to careers is Manpower's core mission. We focus on people's capabilities, not disabilities. It's about talent, and matching the right person with the right position," said Priscilla Azcueta, Manpower regional director. "Project Ability is a great example of the contribution and impact our company and our partners have in the communities we serve."

Project Ability is a national program that was created to find a solution to the impending talent shortage that will cause employers to look at talent pools that have traditionally gone untapped. People with disabilities represent the largest minority in the U.S., and have recently experienced an unemployment rate of 14.7 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In addition, U.S. disability employment statistics for May 2010 revealed that the percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force was 22.3 percent, compared with 70.1 percent for persons with no disability.

"Project Ability presents a wonderful opportunity for Abbott to hire people with disabilities through collaboration with Manpower and local community-based organizations," said Sandra McNeal, human resource director for Abbott Diagnostics. "Through Project Ability we can match our employment needs with valuable job skills of those who happen to have a disability."

A key component of Project Ability is the partnership with local community-based organizations that have the access to candidates with required skill sets. Through local recruitment strategies, Manpower can work with local employers to identify and place candidates with disabilities. The San Jose-area community-based organizations aligned with Project Ability are the California State Department of Rehabilitation, Project HIRED and TransAccess.

Manpower looks to expand the reach of Project Ability by continually adding participating employers to the team. Companies looking to participate in the Project Ability program should contact Martha Artiles, Manpower's global chief diversity officer at (408) 269-4019.

Manpower Inc. is a world leader in innovative workforce solutions; creating and delivering services that enable its clients to win in the changing world of work. In the United States, Manpower offers a range of services including temporary and contract recruitment, employee assessment and selection, and training. Under the Manpower Professional brand, the company creates ideal employment matches between job seekers and employers in information technology, engineering, finance, healthcare and other business professional arenas. Manpower leverages its expertise in staffing and consulting for the U.S. federal government through Manpower Public Sector, and provides clients with managed service programs, business and recruitment process outsourcing offerings, and other integrated workforce management solutions through Manpower Business Solutions. More information about Manpower is available at us.manpower.com or press.manpower.com.

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