NBT’s successful summer manufacturing camp program is expanding. The new inclusion camp format, designed for young people with disabilities, is getting off to a fantastic start thanks to grant funding from Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) plus two generous donations.

Totaling $25,000, the recent donations were gifted by ProAmpac, a leading global flexible packaging company, and the Eleanor and Clarence Prevo Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, a foundation that provides assistance to athletic, health, and community programs that enhance the lives of parents, children, and youth.

NBT Board Member Joe Dagnese of PECO Pallett worked diligently with ProAmpac’s CEO, Greg Tucker, to obtain the funds, which will be directed to the inclusion camps.

The new inclusion camp program, targeted at workforce-aged individuals with disabilities, is a remarkable endeavor that will give this underserved community practical skills training and job opportunities that can develop into long-lasting careers in manufacturing. NBT is partnering with manufacturing employers, colleges and high schools, and community agencies to develop the camp curriculum and metrics for success.

As the skilled worker shortage continues to worsen, employment numbers for workers with disabilities are surprisingly low. Labor-force participation of people with disabilities hovers at 21.4%, compared to 68.2% of those without disabilities.

Even more concerning, since COVID-19 unleashed its wrath on the American workforce last March, one in five workers with disabilities have been dismissed from employment, compared with one in seven in the general population, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Benefits of Hiring Workers With Disabilities

There are many benefits to hiring people with disabilities that manufacturers may be unaware of — for instance:

• The Department of Labor found that employers who embraced disability saw a 90% increase in employee retention.
• Companies that have improved their inclusion of persons with disabilities are two times more likely to outperform their peers in terms of total shareholder returns.
• If companies embrace disability inclusion, they will gain access to a new talent pool of more than 10.7 million people.

Tapping into the talent pool of workers with disabilities would significantly help countless manufacturers who are impacted by the skilled labor shortage.

“For manufacturers who want to hire people with disabilities but don’t know where to start, NBT’s inclusion manufacturing camps can be a perfect solution to successfully recruit and integrate these students into the manufacturing workforce.”
— Ed Dernulc, NBT Foundation Director

If a worker with disabilities needs additional support, employers can access services (often at no cost) through the following organizations:

• The U.S. Workforce Recruitment Program
• The Office of Disability Employment Policy
• The Job Accommodation Network

Developing the Inclusion Manufacturing Camp Model

Initial planning and curriculum development are underway, with one pilot camp running this summer and three inclusion camps planned for summer 2022. With the right training in an inclusive environment, many young people with disabilities will obtain the skills needed to thrive in the manufacturing workforce.

Students can expect a robust experience that helps them prepare for their future careers through targeted exercises and activities, including:

• Soft skills or guidelines on how to interact in a workplace
• General rules and safety precautions for working in manufacturing environments
• Technical skills training

NBT is honored to receive the necessary funding to launch the inclusion camp program and thanks MEAF and other donors for their support. Working together, NBT’s inclusion camps will make an impact by helping young people with disabilities pursue promising careers in manufacturing, armed with the confidence and skills that employers are hungry for.

Learn more about NBT manufacturing camps, donate to the inclusion camp program, or contact NBT at 888-394-4362 for questions.