National Apprenticeship Week

 

Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, November 13 to 19, 2023! The Ohio Vocational Apprentice Program (OVAP) is removing barriers and creating inclusive pathways to state government employment for students and adults with disabilities. 

 

OVAP supports Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Executive Order 2019-03D, which established Ohio as a Disability Inclusion State and a Model Employer of Individuals with Disabilities. Through this program, students and adults with disabilities who are eligible for OOD services gain valuable work experience, exposure, and access to state government employment through paid apprenticeships with state agencies. The goal of this program is for apprentices to secure permanent employment in state government upon completion of the apprenticeship. 

 

OOD partners with State of Ohio agencies, boards, and commissions to identify their workforce needs and develops apprenticeship opportunities that align with the job and educational goals of OOD-eligible participants. OOD assists participants in applying and interviewing for the apprenticeship and completing the onboarding process. OOD also will provide any needed on-the-job supports and can be a resource for workplace accessibility consultations and reasonable accommodations. 

 

OOD funds all wages for the apprenticeship, up to $16.50 per hour, 25 hours per week for a maximum of 1,000 hours. To date, OVAP has helped a total of 64 apprentices gain experience at 27 agencies, boards, and commissions. A total of 21 apprentices have been hired into permanent employment in state, federal, or county government. 

 

For more information, contact OVAP Program Administrator Jon Hackathorn at jon.hackathorn@ood.ohio.gov or 614-306-1744. If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like to work, visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536.