Germanna, Goodwill working together to help students with disabilities

 Students with disabilities often find themselves at a disadvantage in the job market.

 Rappahannock Goodwill Industries and Germanna Community College have launched a pilot program to help part-time students with documented disabilities hold steady jobs while they complete their studies as well as gaining skills they’ll need for post-graduation employment.

 Students chosen for the called the Career Connected Education Program will be hired to work at Rappahannock Goodwill facilities and will be enrolled in required developmental classes at Germanna.

 RGI and GCC officials say the Career Connected Education Program will help students with disabilities gain work experience and practical skills to find employment and fuel their drive to succeed.

In addition to providing on-the-job training, Rappahannock Goodwill will coach the students in job-search skills such as application completion and interviewing. In their Germanna classes, students will hone their resumes, get interviewing practice, and receive academic support and tutoring as needed. Students in the program will also receive assistance with any accommodations required in the classroom or on the work site.

As long as they maintain a GPA of 2.0 and re-enroll each semester, students will have a job with Rappahannock Goodwill throughout their program of study. Post-graduation, Rappahannock Goodwill will provide placement assistance through its Job Help Centers to help program graduates find employment within their field of study.