Workforce Development Program
Adult Work Experiences
Building workforce pathways through partnership — helping neurodivergent individuals gain real work experience, develop job-readiness skills, and connect with employers seeking reliable, supported talent.
OUR MISSION
AWE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating meaningful workforce pathways for neurodivergent individuals.
Our mission is to empower neurodivergent and disabled job-seekers to achieve meaningful employment by providing innovative job training, mentorship, career opportunities, and employer partnerships that remove barriers and advance inclusive workplaces. We encourage you to share our mission with businesses and employers in your network who may be interested in participating and supporting neurodivergent workforce development.
OUR SERVICES
How AWE Supports Workforce Success
Three integrated pillars designed to equip participants with the tools they need for lasting employment seccess.
Workforce Readiness
The fundamentals employers expect on day one.
Career Exploration
Hands-on exposure matching real interests and strengths.
Hands-On Work Esperience
Real placements, building a track record employers trust.
Job Coaching and Support
Coaching that continues on the job, not just before it.
Employer Partnerships
Relationships with local businesses committed to creating meaningful work experience opportunities.
Inclusive Workforce Pathways
Connecting workplace experience, skill development, and employer engagement to create pathways toward future employment.
Regional Center & Community Support
Coordinated support across each participant's network.
Preparation for Gainful Employment
From first placement to lasting, independent work.
REGIONAL INITIATIVE
Workforce Pathways Summit 2026
Hosted by Adult Work Experiences (AWE), a nonprofit workforce development organization, the Workforce Pathways Summit brings employers and community partners together to define what job-ready talent looks like and build inclusive workforce solutions that meet real hiring needs.
- Employer Networking
- Talent Pipeline
- Community Partners
- Workforce Solutions
Who AWE Serves
Three groups, one shared goal
Employers, participants, and community partners each play a different part in building a workforce pathway. Here’s what’s in it for each.
For Employers
Help build the next workforce pipeline
Shape workforce pathways by sharing hiring needs, hosting opportunities, and opening doors to adults ready to contribute.
- Share hiring needs
- Host opportunities
- Join the Summit
- Open doors
For Partners
Regional centers, families & community partners
AWE works with referral partners to create structured, person-centered employment pathways for adults seeking independence, purpose, and gainful employment.
- Department of Rehabilitation — Riverside DOR integrated vocational rehab services
- WorkAbility II Program — tailored job training & retention support
For Participants
Ready to build skills and explore work?
AWE helps neurodivergent individuals gain experience, confidence, and support as they prepare for meaningful employment.
- Gain experience
- Gain confidence
- Get support
- Find employment
DISCOVER MORE
Explore Adult Work Experiences
Learn more about AWE, our service approach, and examples of employment support models in California.
Adult Work Experiences (AWE) are structured opportunities that help neurodivergent and disabled job-seekers gain practical exposure to real workplace settings. Through hands-on participation, individuals build the skills, confidence, and professional habits needed for competitive, integrated employment.
Employment is not just about earning a paycheck. It is about purpose, independence, dignity, and the opportunity to be seen for ability, talent, and potential.
1. Workforce Readiness
Build essential workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, professionalism, attendance, and task completion.
2. Career Exploration
Identify strengths, interests, and work environments that support success.
3. Hands-On Work Experience
Gain practical work exposure that builds confidence and transferable skills.
4. Employer Partnerships
Access to business mentorship programs
5. Pathways to Employment
Support progress toward meaningful employment, stability, and community inclusion.
Practical strategies and actionable ideas from workforce development and human resources professionals are helping shape AWE’s approach to inclusive employment.
These approaches include job-readiness training, mentorship, hands-on experience, career preparation, administrative and clerical skill development, and employer partnerships. They also encourage businesses to simplify hiring practices, improve interviews, recognize individual strengths, and create supportive workplace environments.
AWE is using these ideas to develop practical work experiences, strengthen workplace readiness, and expand meaningful employment opportunities for neurodivergent adults.
Stronger Together Through Partnership
For many neurodivergent individuals, employment is not just about earning a paycheck. It is about purpose, independence, dignity, community participation, and the opportunity to be seen for ability, talent, and potential.
For employers, inclusive workforce partnerships can help address common hiring challenges such as limited candidate pools, skill gaps, time-to-hire concerns, retention, and reliability. These are the same employer concerns identified in the AWE employer survey materials.
AWE helps bridge the gap between people who want to work and employers who need dependable, supported talent.