New hiring plans for Minnesotans with disabilities
FILE: Gov. Dayton
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - Governor Dayton announced new hiring programs to connect Minnesotans with disabilities to opportunities in state government. Connect 700 and the Supported Worker program will be coming back.
“State government should reflect the people it serves, including those with disabilities,” said Governor Dayton. “These programs will help expand opportunities to more Minnesotans who want to work to create a better, more inclusive Minnesota.”
The Connect 700 program gives Minnesotans with disabilities an opportunity to show their abilities through an on-the job trial work experience, which lasts up to 700 hours. The hiring managers then match people with the best opportunities for success based on their skills.
The Supported Worker program will have 50-full time positions in state agencies that can be shared by more than one person with disabilities.
This effort supports Dayton’s executive order from 2014 that directs state agencies to increase employment for people with disabilities to at least seven percent by August 2018. Currently, the percentage of people with disabilities working for the government is at 6.2 percent.