LANCASTER, PA — More Pennsylvania students with disabilities are gaining access to job training, college pathways, and career support as the state proposes new funding to expand workforce programs.
What This Means for You
- More Job Opportunities: Students with disabilities are gaining paid work experience that often leads to employment.
- Expanded Support Services: Proposed funding would increase access to assistive technology and transition programs.
- Stronger Workforce Pipeline: Employers benefit from trained workers while building more inclusive workplaces.
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry is proposing a $1 million increase in funding for its Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, a program that helps individuals with disabilities prepare for employment and education after high school.
The program provides services such as job coaching, assistive technology, and transition support—tools that help individuals overcome barriers to employment and live more independently.
How the Program Works
Students participate in paid, work-based learning experiences with local employers, allowing them to build real-world skills while still in school.
The program also offers pathways to higher education by connecting students to college courses and campus experiences, including partnerships with Harrisburg Area Community College.
In the most recent year, more than 200 students received career readiness training, over 50 completed intensive work-based learning placements, and more than half of participating seniors secured jobs by graduation.
Local Example in Lancaster
During a visit Wednesday, March 25, Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker toured the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square and Lancaster County Convention Center, where students are participating in hands-on job training through the program.
“Programs like the one here in Lancaster show what’s possible when schools, employers, and OVR work together,” Walker said. “These students are gaining real-world experience, earning college credits, building confidence, and preparing for their futures.”
Employers participating in the program provide mentorship and workplace experience, while students receive ongoing support that gradually decreases as they gain independence.
Broader Workforce Investment
State officials say the program is part of a broader effort to expand workforce participation among people with disabilities.
Since taking office, the administration reports that the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation has served approximately 76,000 Pennsylvanians and expanded partnerships with employers statewide.
Students who participate in early work experiences are significantly more likely to secure employment after graduation, according to state data.
Additional Budget Proposals
The proposed 2026–27 state budget also includes additional workforce investments, including:
- $18 million for career and technical education and apprenticeship programs
- $7 million for school-to-work pathway programs
- $6.3 million for industry partnership grants
The state also expects to connect more than 1,000 students with disabilities to paid work experiences across all 67 counties through the MY Work program in summer 2026.
Next Steps
The proposed funding increases are subject to approval as part of the state budget process.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.