Rural Youth Apprenticeship Toolkit

Apprenticeships for youth with disabilities (16–24 years old) seek to bridge the gap between an underserved group and meaningful employment by providing hands-on learning and education in workforce settings. Inclusive apprenticeships have the potential to engage over 1.3 million young people with disabilities who may have otherwise not had access to employment. Apprenticeships for youth with disabilities have social/emotional, economic, educational, and accessibility benefits. Learn more here. 

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About this Toolkit

This Rural Youth Apprenticeship Toolkit  provides resources to support the development of apprenticeship programs for youth with disabilities in rural areas. It shares strategies to address key challenges, such as transportation, internet access, and employer engagement. The toolkit also includes tools for marketing and outreach, promoting diversity and inclusion, and building partnerships.

Additionally, it highlights the role of vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs. VR agencies play a vital role in developing and supporting apprenticeship programs in rural communities. Their involvement helps ensure that these programs are accessible, inclusive, and aligned with the needs of both local employers and individuals with disabilities.

Click the icons below to explore more information about the challenges and innovative solutions for rural youth apprenticeship program development in VR. 

 

 

What is Vocational Rehabilitation's Role?

Video: Perspectives from Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

About the Rural Youth Apprenticeship Development (RYAD) Project & Participating VR Agencies

The RYAD Project promotes the development and advancement of vocational rehabilitation (VR) apprenticeships programs for youth with disabilities (16-24) in underserved rural communities. Over the course of five years, the RYAD Project will build and disseminate a rural-specific toolkit, promote VR partnerships, and increase the number of youth apprenticeship programs in rural areas where there are higher rates of disabilities who face lower rates of employment. Learn more here
 
The RYAD project partners with the following VR agencies:
  • Vermont Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired 
  • Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Wyoming Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Arkansas Rehabilitation Services & Career Development Center
  • Maine Bureau of Rehabilitation Services 
Learn more here.