New programs support employing Albertans with disabilities

Albertans with disabilities will have more employment opportunities through the new Employment First Innovation Fund and the Employment First Internship Program.

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Premier Dave Hancock announced the Employment First Innovation Fund, a $2 million grant program, to encourage more innovative approaches to creating employment opportunities for Albertans with disabilities at the second annual symposium on employment and persons with disabilities. The grants will be open to registered non-profit, public educational institutions and registered companies.

“Meaningful employment and community connection helps individuals build relationships for a more fulfilled life. The Employment First Innovation Fund will serve to incent our partners to create supportive work environments that can improve the lives of Albertans with disabilities, helping them to advance their skills and make our communities more inclusive and welcoming to all Albertans.”

Dave Hancock, Premier
“People with disabilities in Alberta represent great potential for the workforce. The Employment First Innovation Fund will give service providers another means to translate that potential into reality.”

Melanie Mitra, CEO of Prospect Human Services
Government has also created 20 paid internship opportunities through the Employment First Internship Program to attract more people with disabilities into the Alberta Public Service. Interested applicants can view available positions in September and apply through the Alberta Jobs website using the key word “intern”.

“People with disabilities need the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities and I am pleased that the government of Alberta is providing that opportunity through the Employment First Internship Program.”

Naresh Bhardwaj, Associate Minister of Services for Persons with Disabilitie
Innovations at Work: A Learning Symposium on Enhancing Employment for Persons with Disabilities brings together up to 500 employers, disability agency staff, academics, educators, government staff, Albertans with disabilities and families with many more joining via webcast.

The Alberta Employment First Strategy is focused on engaging employers, governments, agencies, associations and people with disabilities to help more Albertans with disabilities enter the workforce and realize their full potential.

Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta’s resources to ensure we’re able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.