QWE Practice Guideline: 322: Interview and pre-qualify individuals who are blind or have a disability to build and sustain direct and indirect labor talent pools for when positions become available

Target group: Any organization employing or supporting individuals with disabilities

Practice Description

Recruitment team dedicated to maintaining an active queue of applicants

Resources Needed

Subject matter experts/trainers

• Staff trained in recruitment techniques, AbilityOne program, and Veteran employment

Equipment

• Applicant and recruitment tracking system
• Space and materials for hosting job fairs

Labor hours

• Time for staff to develop recruitment and community partnerships
• Time for staff to assess applicant potential

Funding

• Budget for recruitment staff and related activities

Implementation Process

Process

• A recruitment department was developed to dedicate time actively seeking individuals from the community for AbilityOne program positions
• The recruitment department networks with local resources, including
  • State Vocational Rehabilitation agency
  • Local school districts
  • Transitional counselors
  • Special education agencies
  • Mental health clinics
  • Disability organizations
• Specific attention is given to connecting with the local Veteran’s Affairs department
• The recruitment department hosts on-site job fairs and attends external job fairs
• Potential applicants are interviewed for eligibility by both the recruitment department and compliance department
  • Individuals can apply any time
  • A queue of approved applicants is maintained so positions can be filled as they become available

Outcomes/Results

• Individuals
  • Applicants benefit from being considered for employment even if a position is not yet available
• Organization
  • Access to a pool of pre-qualified applicants
  • Organization has capacity for new projects and filling vacancies

NPA: Ready One Industries
Location: El Paso, TX
Date Submitted: 2015
Website: http://www.readyone.org/

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