Workforce Development Program
Adult Work Experience
Building workforce pathways through partnership — helping adults with disabilities gain real work experience, develop job-readiness skills, and connect with employers seeking reliable, supported talent.
OUR MISSION
AWE exist to create meaningful workforce pathways for adults with disabilities and special abilities.
We connect participants, families, regional center partners, employers, and community organizations to create practical opportunities for employment readiness, hands-on work experience, and long-term workforce success.
OUR SERVICES
How AWE Supports Workforce Success
Three integrated pillars designed to equip participants with the tools they need
for lasting employment seccess.
Workforce Readiness
The fundamentals employers expect on day one.
Career Exploration
Hands-on exposure matching real interests and strengths.
Hands-On Work Esperience
Real placements, building a track record employers trust.
Job Coaching and Support
Coaching that continues on the job, not just before it.
Employer Partnerships
Direct relationships with local businesses ready to hire.
Inclusive Hiring Pathways
Structured routes from readiness to offer.
Regional Center & Community Support
Coordinated support across each participant's network.
Preparation for Gainful Employment
From first placement to lasting, independent work.
REGIONAL INITIATIVE
Workforce Pathways Summit 2026
The Adult Work Experience Workforce Pathways Summit brings employers and community partners together to define what job-ready talent looks like and build inclusive workforce solutions that meet real hiring needs.
- Employer Networking
- Talent Pipeline
- Community Partners
- Workforce Solutions
Who AWE Serves
Three groups, one shared goal
Employers, participants, and community partners each play a different part in building a workforce pathway. Here’s what’s in it for each.
For Employers
Help build the next workforce pipeline
Shape workforce pathways by sharing hiring needs, hosting opportunities, and opening doors to adults ready to contribute.
- Share hiring needs
- Host opportunities
- Join the Summit
- Open doors
For Partners
Regional centers, families & community partners
AWE works with referral partners to create structured, person-centered employment pathways for adults seeking independence, purpose, and gainful employment.
- Department of Rehabilitation — Riverside DOR integrated vocational rehab services
- WorkAbility II Program — tailored job training & retention support
For Participants
Ready to build skills and explore work?
AWE helps adults with disabilities gain experience, confidence, and support as they prepare for meaningful employment.
- Gain experience
- Gain confidence
- Get support
- Find employment
DISCOVER MORE
Explore Adult Work Experience
Learn more about AWE, our service approach, and examples of employment
support models in California.
Adult Work Experiences (AWE) are structured opportunities that help adults with disabilities gain practical exposure to real workplace settings. Through hands-on participation, individuals build the skills, confidence, and professional habits needed for competitive, integrated employment.
AWE programs are designed to bridge the gap between wanting to work and being prepared to work. They combine workforce readiness preparation, career exploration, and supported work placements so that participants can discover their strengths, develop transferable skills, and move toward long-term employment and community inclusion.
For adults with disabilities, employment is not just about earning a paycheck — it is about purpose, independence, dignity, and the opportunity to be seen for ability, talent, and potential.
1. Workforce Readiness
We help participants prepare for the expectations of the workplace, including attendance, communication, task completion, teamwork, professionalism, and following directions.
2. Career Exploration
Participants are supported in identifying strengths, interests, and possible employment environments where they can succeed.
3. Hands-On Work Experience
AWE creates opportunities for adults to gain practical exposure to work settings, helping them build confidence and develop transferable skills.
4. Employer Partnerships
We collaborate with employers, HR leaders, staffing decision-makers, and community partners to understand real hiring needs and create meaningful opportunities.
5. Pathways to Employment
The goal is to help participants move toward gainful employment, long-term stability, and community inclusion.
OPARC
OPARC is a California-based example of an organization supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through day programs, employment services, and community inclusion in the Inland Empire. Its employment services include vocational training, job placement, ongoing support, work experience, group employment, and individual placements.
OPARC’s Adult Work Experience model is also described as providing individuals with disabilities practical work experience in chosen fields, including up to 100 hours of hands-on experience to build essential skills and knowledge.
EMS — Employment Means Success
Employment Means Success, also known as EMS Inc., is another California service example. EMS describes itself as a nonprofit providing employment services to individuals who want to work, helping them obtain and retain jobs of their choice through resumes, cover letters, interview support, and job-readiness preparation.
These examples help show the type of service ecosystem Connect Community Access can align with: person-centered employment support, workforce preparation, job placement, and ongoing support for adults seeking meaningful work.
Stronger Together Through Partnership
For many adults with disabilities, employment is not just about earning a paycheck. It is about purpose, independence, dignity, community participation, and the opportunity to be seen for ability, talent, and potential.
For employers, inclusive workforce partnerships can help address common hiring challenges such as limited candidate pools, skill gaps, time-to-hire concerns, retention, and reliability. These are the same employer concerns identified in the AWE employer survey materials.
AWE helps bridge the gap between people who want to work and employers who need dependable, supported talent.