Future of Work

VersAbility Resources addresses the high unemployment and poverty rates among individuals with disabilities in Gloucester County and the Hampton Roads area. These individuals face significant barriers, including limited access to training, certifications, and supportive job placements.

Currently, over 450 individuals are served through VersAbility’s Workforce Solutions programs, which provide targeted training in high-demand industries such as welding, culinary arts, and medical administration. The program integrates industry-specific certifications with holistic support, including mentorship, job coaching, and workplace accommodations, ensuring participants are job-ready and can sustain employment.

The unemployment rate for people with disabilities remains disproportionately high nationally. By fostering inclusive business partnerships and equipping participants with marketable skills, VersAbility addresses systemic issues like inadequate support and employer awareness.

With over 70 years of experience, VersAbility collaborates with over 200 individuals annually to refine its programming and develop inclusive pipelines for employment. The organization’s efforts empower individuals to break cycles of poverty and create a ripple effect of inclusion and innovation in the workforce, reshaping opportunities for those with disabilities.

VersAbility Resources’ Future of Work program empowers individuals with disabilities to build meaningful careers through targeted training, certifications, and personalized job support. The program focuses on high-demand fields such as welding, culinary arts, and medical administration, equipping participants with the skills employers need.

This innovative program combines industry-specific training with holistic support services, including mentorship, job coaching, and workplace accommodations. Employer partnerships further strengthen the program by fostering an inclusive workforce and creating sustainable talent pipelines.

A critical component is the use of a customized CRM system to track participant progress, connect them with job opportunities, and provide data-driven insights for improving retention and outcomes. This technology bridges gaps between trainees and employers, ensuring alignment and mutual success.

The Future of Work program not only prepares individuals for employment but also transforms businesses and workforce culture. It creates scalable and replicable models that foster inclusion, empower individuals with disabilities, and drive innovation in the labor market. By addressing systemic challenges, Future of Work reshapes opportunities for those with disabilities while helping businesses thrive through diverse talent.

VersAbility Resources’ Future of Work program directly serves individuals with disabilities, particularly young adults transitioning out of high school and adults seeking meaningful employment. This population faces significant barriers, including high unemployment rates, lack of access to tailored training, and insufficient workplace accommodations. Nationally, individuals with disabilities experience unemployment rates twice as high as those without disabilities, leaving them underserved and often dependent on others for financial support.

The program addresses these challenges by providing industry-specific training in high-demand fields such as welding, culinary arts, and medical administration. Participants earn certifications that align with employer needs, making them competitive candidates in the job market. Additionally, the program offers holistic support, including mentorship, job coaching, and workplace accommodations, to ensure long-term job retention and success.

By equipping individuals with disabilities with skills, certifications, and support, the Future of Work program fosters independence and self-reliance. Participants are empowered to break cycles of poverty, contribute to their communities, and achieve a higher quality of life. The program not only addresses the immediate needs of this underserved population but also creates a ripple effect by promoting inclusion and diversity within the workforce.

Our team is deeply connected to the communities we serve, with staff members from diverse backgrounds and experiences that mirror the populations we support, including individuals with disabilities. We engage with these communities through local partnerships, focus groups, and feedback surveys. For example, we’ve worked closely with over 200 individuals with disabilities in the last year, incorporating their input into the
design of our training programs. This collaboration ensures that our offerings are tailored to the real needs of the community, creating an inclusive environment where individuals with disabilities feel heard and
empowered. Additionally, our team includes specialists with expertise in disability advocacy, workforce development, and job training, all of whom have firsthand experience working with these populations, ensuring
our solutions are both relevant and impactful.

VersAbility Resources’ Future of Work (FOW) program is in the Growth stage, building on the success of its broader Supported Employment program, which serves over 450 individuals annually. The FOW program complements these efforts by providing industry-specific certifications and focused vocational training, having already enrolled and supported 14 participants in its initial cohorts. This combination demonstrates a proven, scalable concept that is actively expanding to meet growing community needs.

The FOW program has successfully implemented certifications in high-demand fields, such as welding, culinary arts, and medical administration, offering tailored support services, including mentorship, job coaching, and workplace accommodations. These initiatives are enhanced by partnerships with local educational institutions, such as New Horizons Regional Education Center, and employers like Newport News Shipbuilding, ensuring seamless transitions into employment.

To increase efficiency and scalability, a customized CRM system has been integrated across both FOW and Supported Employment programs. This system tracks participant progress, facilitates employer connections, and provides data-driven insights to improve outcomes. Its implementation demonstrates the organization’s commitment to operational excellence and ability to scale.

Through the combined impact of its Supported Employment and FOW programs, VersAbility has built a robust, scalable model that directly addresses workforce challenges while empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve independence and success.

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Our approach combines vocational training with a holistic support system designed for individuals with disabilities, focusing not only on skill development but also on long-term talent retention. Unlike traditional job
training programs, we integrate industry-specific certifications (e.g., welding, forklift operation, cybersecurity) with tailored support services like mentorship, employer partnerships, and accessible workplace adaptations.
By ensuring that both individuals and employers are prepared for success, we aim to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity in a way that’s sustainable, scalable, and replicable across industries. This model could
catalyze broader adoption of inclusive hiring practices and help reshape perceptions of disability in the workforce. 

Our impact goals are:
1. Increase the employment rate of individuals with disabilities in regional industries by 20% within two
years.
2. Facilitate the retention of at least 60% of program participants in their first year of employment.(A rise to
the National average which is 50%)
3. Create pathways for at least 5 local businesses to hire individuals with disabilities annually.
We measure progress through surveys and follow-up check ins with program participants and employers,
tracking job placements, and retention rates. Additionally, we collect data on the number of certifications
awarded and the percentage of individuals who successfully transition to full-time roles after completing the
program

We have 2 full-tine and 2 part-time working on our solution.

VersAbility Resources has been empowering individuals with disabilities for over 70 years, evolving to meet the changing needs of the workforce. Our Future of Work program, launched two years ago, builds on this long history by addressing modern employment challenges for individuals with disabilities. While we’ve been delivering vocational training and job placement services for decades, the program incorporates innovative elements like industry-specific certifications, holistic support systems, and a customized CRM for tracking progress. This evolution reflects our commitment to adapting and expanding our solutions to ensure individuals with disabilities thrive in today’s dynamic labor market.

VersAbility Resources is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for staff and leadership. Our team reflects the communities we serve, with 74% of staff identifying as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and 45% women. This diversity extends to our executive leadership and board, which includes leaders from a variety of racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, ensuring a wide range of perspectives guide decision-making.

To minimize barriers to opportunity, we provide accessible workplace accommodations, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for all employees. Training on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a cornerstone of our organizational culture, fostering respect, understanding, and collaboration.

Our goals include continuing to recruit from underrepresented groups, creating career advancement pathways for all staff, and expanding DEI initiatives. By building an inclusive workplace, we ensure that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to our mission.

Our business model is based on a combination of grant funding, partnerships with local businesses, and service fees for specialized training programs. We offer training and certification in high-demand industries like welding, culinary arts, and cybersecurity, partnering with businesses to ensure job placement and retention. Our services are offered at little or no cost to participants, with revenue generated through non disabled community members and partnerships with employers who are invested in building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We also collaborate with government and nonprofit entities to secure funding that supports program expansion. 

We leverage a combination of grants, partnerships with local businesses, and service contracts to fund our work. Grants from organizations such as the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services and private foundations have been a cornerstone of our funding. Additionally, partnerships with employers in industries like manufacturing, culinary arts, and healthcare provide financial support through training collaborations and employer-sponsored initiatives. These businesses benefit from access to a skilled, inclusive workforce, creating a mutually beneficial partnership.

Our service model also generates revenue through certifications offered to community members without disabilities, further offsetting program costs. By diversifying revenue streams, we reduce reliance on any single source of funding, making the program more resilient.

To date, we have secured funding for the Future of Work program through multiple grants totaling over $350,000 which has supported our ability to train and place over 450 individuals with disabilities in meaningful employment. Additionally, we have formalized partnerships with several local businesses, contributing to program sustainability while fostering inclusive hiring practices. Looking ahead, we anticipate receiving over $350,000 in grant awards from new and existing funders, further bolstering our financial sustainability.Our strategic approach to funding also includes continuous grant-seeking, leveraging outcomes data to demonstrate impact and attract new funders. By integrating a customized CRM system, we have improved our ability to track participant success, providing evidence-based reports to funders that highlight our program’s effectiveness.

This multi-faceted financial strategy, combined with our strong partnerships and demonstrated success, ensures that VersAbility’s Future of Work program is financially sustainable and positioned for continued growth.

We are applying to the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards to gain support in scaling our program and refining our model for broader impact. Collaborating with the Truist Foundation and MIT Solve will provide valuable
resources, including access to a network of thought leaders, funding opportunities, and strategic guidance, which will help us expand our reach and further develop our impact metrics. This partnership will also help us
refine our approach, enhance the sustainability of our program, and ultimately strengthen our ability to create meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.