Workforce Solutions is paving the way for students with disabilities to find jobs through their Summer Earn & Learn (SEAL) program.
The SEAL program offers work experience for students with disabilities aged 14-22, providing them with an opportunity to gain workforce experience while earning a paycheck.
Managed by Workforce Solutions of Northeast Texas, in collaboration with the Texas Workforce Commission and Vocational Rehabilitation, the program aims to prepare students for future employment.
At the start of the summer, students will receive workforce readiness training at the local workforce center. Following this, they will be placed with one of 15 participating employers in the Texarkana area.
During the program, students will learn about the specific industry of their employer, gaining specialized knowledge and skills.
“Some of our most successful outcomes occur when students are offered full-time or part-time positions after the program. Many continue working at their employer’s location even after the summer ends,” said Bart Spivey, Workforce Solutions NETX operations director.
The 5-week paid internship begins in June.
This year, 35 students are participating in the program. Last summer, the SEAL program hosted nearly 3,000 students statewide across approximately 1,300 employer sites.
For more information about the program, visit twc.texas.gov/VRNearMe.
