Work Experience Program 2022

Closing the disability employment gap

The Work Experience Program is a collaborative effort between the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) and the Human Resources Division (HRD) to introduce job-ready candidates with disabilities to the world of state government.

This program provides an opportunity for people with disabilities to get real-world exposure to work experience in state government. Host agencies have the opportunity to meet job-ready candidates and expose them to the important work of their agencies.

Participants are individuals 21 years of age or older who identify as a person with a disability and meet minimum education requirements. Hosts must be agencies within the Executive Office of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Participants are matched with Commonwealth host agencies based on their interests and career goals.

Applications are now closed. Sign up for our email list to get information about future MOD events.

What to expect

The Program takes place from 10 AM - 4 PM from June 13-16, 2022. Each day, participants will meet with a representative from the host agency to learn about the agency's work, different roles within the agency, and skills and experience necessary to begin a career working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Program may be held virtually or in-person, depending on the preferences of host agencies and participants.

Host agencies and participants will receive an email from MOD in May to introduce each other and provide guidance and instruction on how to maximize the experience for both parties.

Benefits for host agencies

Over 1 in 10 adults in Massachusetts have a disability, but less than half of those individuals are employed. Serving as a host agency in the Work Experience Program provides an opportunity for Commonwealth agencies to contribute to closing the disability employment gap and tap into this underrecognized talent pool.

Companies who hire people with disabilities report higher productivity, less turnover, and an improved, more inclusive office culture. As Commonwealth agencies, hiring more people with disabilities allows us to reflect the diversity of our residents and more effectively serve them.

Benefits for participants

The Commonwealth is one of Massachusetts’ largest employers, providing a wide range of diverse career tracks and job opportunities, from park rangers and teachers to medical technicians, paralegals, fiscal clerks, human services coordinators, IT support desk specialists, engineers, cooks, and more.

Participants in former programs reported more confidence applying for state jobs and more knowledge about the opportunities available at the Commonwealth after participating in the program.

Whether you are starting your career or making a change, the Work Experience Program will allow you to learn more about the opportunities available at the Commonwealth that may align with your interests and goals.

Apply

Applications are now closed. Sign up for our email list to get information about future MOD events.

Date published:	March 7, 2022