Students with disabilities got hands-on experience from 63 area employers during the Omaha Project Search job fair.
They learned about appropriate social media use, dressing for success, and practiced interview skills.
The job fair is specifically designed to provide students with disabilities job exploration, workplace readiness training, and self-advocacy.
“Students are able to try their hand at the different skills that it takes to see if that’s where their interest lies,” said Sara Hansen of Nebraska Department of Education Vocational Rehabilitation.
Everything from detailing a car, housekeeping, and learning how to package a Runza Sandwich.
“It’s actually pretty great,” Rocky Pafford, North Platte Senior said. “There’s drones, you can learn about cars, computers, 3D printing.”
Pafford said after graduation, he is going to job corps; but Monday helped spark some of his interests.
“Especially with the 3D printing and drone area,” Pafford said. “Honestly they don't but I'm thinking about setting up one myself.”
The fair also helps employers see the student's skills.
“When we talk about students with disabilities we have a different picture in our head,” Hansen said. “We don't realize what an asset they are to the company, especially in a state that has 2.8-percent unemployment rate. These students are at the top of having that desire to work.”
Project Search helps students year round get the training and education they need for successful careers.
