Manpower's Project Ability Provides Talent Solutions for Employers Incorporating People With Disabilities

MILWAUKEE, Feb. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Manpower's Project Ability program, a collaborative approach to place people with disabilities into high demand jobs with employers nationwide, has expanded into the Boston market following a successful pilot in San Jose, Calif.  Manpower, in collaboration with community-based partners in each market, has already placed 115 individuals with disabilities into employment in San Jose and Boston. Plans are in place to launch Project Ability programs in Chicago and Houston in the first quarter of 2011, with an additional five markets later this year.

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"Manpower's commitment to people with disabilities has been in the forefront of our workforce development efforts for many years," said Jorge Perez, Manpower's senior vice president of staffing for North America.  "What is unique about Project Ability is its replicable and flexible framework that brings the benefits of collaboration between employers and community organizations to more effectively and efficiently address the needs of this population market by market."

A key component of Project Ability is the partnership with leading community-based organizations that have relationships with candidates with the skill sets that businesses need.  Through this collaboration, Manpower and its partners serve as the conduit to connect these individuals to meaningful employment opportunities with local employers. The San Jose-area community-based organizations aligned with Project Ability are Project HIRED, TransAccess as well as the California State Department of Rehabilitation.  

"Project Ability provides a talent solution that works for the benefit of employers, people with disabilities and the community-at-large," said Jan Sonneman, executive project lead for Manpower's Project Ability program. "Manpower is committed to helping individuals, who happen to have disabilities, find employment in high-demand occupations or careers.  With the talent and skills shortage that employers are beginning to experience, tapping into this accessible and plentiful population is very relevant, even at a global level. Individuals with disabilities represent the country's largest minority throughout all segments of diversity."

Manpower's Project Ability program has already placed 115 individuals with disabilities into employment, and the company is currently working with clients and employers to place another 155 individuals in the workplace this year.

"I am grateful to the Manpower team and everyone associated with Project Ability's implementation," said Patrick Scoggins, one of the candidates placed in San Jose. "While the job market continues to be challenging, it's comforting to know that Manpower is helping others in my situation overcome the barriers to employment, one position at a time. I especially liked my first assignment at the San Jose City College Bookstore because it allowed me to do what I do best in the workplace: interact and relate with customers."

San Jose City College Bookstore Manager Gina Bonanno said, "Individuals, like Patrick, who were placed on assignments here performed extremely well, and I would definitely welcome them back for future needs. On a personal level, I found it to be very rewarding to help people gain valuable experience in the workforce."

Manpower is continually expanding the reach of Project Ability, and encourages interested employers to join the partnership. Companies looking to participate in the Project Ability program should contact Jan Sonneman at (408) 979-6217 or [email protected].

About Manpower

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.

SOURCE Manpower