Hiring enough workers to fill all of the shifts in a warehouse can be a challenge in today’s economy. But a Chicago nonprofit called Aspire has found a new pool of candidates who are eager to take on those jobs: people with disabilities. The catch is that employers generally have to go outside the usual hiring channels to connect with these workers, who are often unaware of the opportunities available to them.
To help bridge that gap, the nonprofit recently launched a job training program that prepares young adults with disabilities for work in warehousing and distribution. The program includes 10 weeks of hands-on job training in a simulated warehouse environment, classroom learning, and job-shadowing experiences with corporate partners like Wesco, Parts Town, KeHE, and Holman. This is followed by an eight-week paid internship, allowing businesses to ensure a good fit before hiring permanently. The internships are funded through a $9.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).
According to Aspire, that approach produces results. Companies employing people with disabilities report 50% lower turnover rates, 33% fewer safety incidents, and 25% higher productivity levels.
“With labor markets tighter than ever, now is the time to explore alternatives,” Aspire CEO Serena Alaily said in a release. “We train and pre-screen candidates, so businesses don’t have to. For the next five years, we can provide companies with three to four highly skilled ‘try-on’ employees annually—all on Aspire’s payroll at no cost to them, thanks to this grant.”
As for what’s next, Aspire says it plans to expand the program beyond warehousing and distribution to other sectors. It is currently seeking Chicago-area employers interested in tapping its “ready-to-adopt talent pipelines for high-repetition, high-turnover roles.”
