​Workforce & Technology Center

Work Readiness

Work Readiness

The Work Readiness Program (WRP) is designed to prepare individuals with disabilities for competitive employment by focusing on soft skill development, self advocacy, and life skills that are needed to get and keep a job.

  • ​WRP 1 is a six-week course with emphasis on soft skill development, job shadowing, and understanding employer expectations.
  • WRP 2 is a six-week course focusing on gaining real world work experience at community or in-house worksites.

If you have questions or for more information about the Work Readiness Program, please contact Ashley Royster at 410-554-9421 or by email at Ashley.Royster@maryland.gov.


Work Readiness 1

Program Description

The Work Readiness Program is designed to prepare individuals for competitive employment by:

  • Participating in career exploration.
  • Increasing the awareness of work and self.
  • Developing soft skills.

This six-week course includes videos, lectures, guest speakers, worksite tours, and job shadowing. Course lectures include the following topics:

  • Financial Management
  • Organizational Skills
  • Self Determination
  • Interpersonal Skills and Teamwork
  • Workplace Preparation and Communication
  • Job Retention (a.k.a. Don’t Get Fired!)

This program can be taken as a single service or in conjunction with Work Readiness 2.

Program Requirements

The individual must possess capability and desire to participate in competitive employment.

Targeted population includes individuals who have:

  • Little or no work experience
  • Been out of the workforce for an extended period of time

Authorization Requirements

  1. Category: WTC Work Readiness Programs
    Subcategory: Work Readiness Program 1
  2. Category: WTC RTS Support
    Subcategory: OT Back School
  3. Category: WTC Behavioral Health Services
    Subcategory: Health Education
  4. Category: WTC RTS Support
    Subcategory: AT Seminar
  5. Category: WTC Enrichment Services
    Subcategory: Travel Training-Group for WRP
  6. Category: WTC Behavioral Health Services
    Subcategory: Behavioral Health Education
  7. Category: WTC RTS Support
    Subcategory: FIFE Work Readiness 1

For consumers on the Autism Spectrum add the following items:

  1. Category: WTC Autism Services Training
    Subcategory: Autism Support-Group
  2. Category: WTC Autism Services Training
    Subcategory: Autism Support-Individual

Sign Language Interpreting

Please include Communication Services on the student’s plan. Estimated cost for sign language interpreting for Deaf consumers is $9,614. WTC staff will arrange this service.

Reader/Scribe Services

If the need is identified by CST, please include Reader/Scribe Services on the student’s plan. Estimated cost for Reader/Scribe Services is $3,600. WTC staff will arrange this service.

IPE Requirements

  • Service Category: WTC Work Readiness Programs
    • Subcategory: WTC Work Readiness Program 1
  • Service Category: Communication Services
    • Communication – $9,614
  • Service Category: Reader Services
    • Reader – $3,600

Work Readiness 1 Handout


Work Readiness 2

Program Description

The Work Readiness Program is designed to prepare individuals for competitive employment by:

  • Developing and using soft skills
  • Gaining work experience through community worksites

This six-week course includes lectures, guest speakers, job shadowing and volunteer work experiences. Course lectures include the following topics:

  • Customer Service
  • Workplace Ethics
  • Conflict Management
  • Resumes and Job Descriptions
  • Mock Interviews
  • Managing Your Online Footprint

This program can be taken as a single service or in conjunction with Work Readiness 1.

Program Requirements

The individual must possess capability and desire to participate in competitive employment. Students in Work Readiness 2 spend half of each day volunteering at a community worksite with drop-in support only.

Targeted population includes individuals who have:

  • Little or no work experience
  • Been out of the workforce for an extended period of time

Authorization Requirements

  1. Category: WTC Work Readiness Programs
    Subcategory: Work Readiness Program 2

If items below are on the Authorization for Work Readiness 1, do not add a second time:

  1. Category: WTC RTS Support
    Subcategory: OT Back School
  2. Category: WTC Behavioral Health Services
    Subcategory: Health Education
  3. Category: WTC RTS Support
    Subcategory: AT Seminar
  4. Category: WTC Enrichment Services
    Subcategory: Travel Training-Group for WRP
  5. Category: WTC Behavioral Health Services
    Subcategory: Behavioral Health Education
  6. Category: WTC RTS Support
    Subcategory: FIFE Work Readiness 2

For consumers on the Autism Spectrum add the following items:

  1. Category: WTC Autism Services Training
    Subcategory: Autism Support-Group
  2. Category: WTC Autism Services Training
    Subcategory: Autism Support-Individual

Sign Language Interpreting

Please include Communication Services on the student’s plan. Estimated cost for sign language interpreting for Deaf consumers is $9,614. WTC staff will arrange this service.

IPE Requirements

  • Service Category: WTC Work Readiness Programs
    • ​WTC Work Readiness Program 2
  • Service Category: Communication Services
    • Communication – $9,614

Work Readiness 2 Handout