ADVANCE+ Workforce Inclusion
ADVANCE+ is a new e-Stewards initiative focused on providing jobs for individuals with autism and other disabilities while creating bottom line benefits for Certified e-Stewards. We have partnered with longstanding community experts at Blue Star Recyclers to develop this program, and received funding to help offset the cost of training selected e-Stewards. Onsite training by nationally recognized expert James Emmett & Company covers staff training, employee sourcing, and internal/external messaging.
Why?
The ADVANCE+ workforce inclusion training program is designed to help your business source and retain loyal, productive, and safe workers with disabilities. During this period of unprecedented challenges related to labor force management, there is a workforce waiting in the wings with proven aptitudes, affinity, and abilities tied specifically to the scopes of work performed in our industry. ADVANCE+ will help you learn how to tap and leverage this outstanding resource. The employment model used for this program tracked occupational data since 2010 and discovered people with disabilities to be highly reliable, productive, loyal, and safe.
ROI, CSR, and ESG Impact
ADVANCE+ participant employers can track and promote significant social and economic impact directly produced through the employment and inclusion of people with disabilities. First, the return on investment (ROI) you’ll make is designed to cover all costs within the first year. Second, you will be creating opportunities for meaningful employment for people with disabilities, which directly triggers taxpayer savings and other measurable social impact – which you can include in your CSR and ESG reporting. This will help attract and retain customers who seek vendors who produce more than environmental impact.
We are proud to acknowledge the e-Stewards Certified recycler facilities below that have successfully completed the ADVANCE+ training program, enabling their companies to hire excellent autistic and disabled employees and thus contribute to a more inclusive workforce:
Apto Solutions, Inc. – Atlanta, GA
Ingram Micro Services, LLC – Indianapolis, IN
Kuusakoski US LLC – Plainfield, IL
Liquid Technology, Inc. – Bensenville, IL
Sipi Asset Recovery -Elk Grove Village, IL
Sipi Asset Recovery – Hayward, CA
Cascade Asset Management, LLC – Indianapolis, IN
Sage Sustainable Electronics LLC -Columbus, OH
Sage Sustainable Electronics LLC – Reno, NV
Comprenew, Inc. – Grand Rapids, MI
Global Ewaste Solutions – Plymouth, MN
To date, 55 people with disabilities have been hired at e-Stewards certified recyclers through ADVANCE+, and 21 additional people are projected to be hired by the end of 2023.
The following non-e-Stewards companies have also completed the ADVANCE+ program:
Kellogg Supply Company – Phoenix, AZ
Fernco, Inc. – Davison, MI
Toyota Motors Manufacturing Indiana – Princeton, IN
Vuteq – Princeton, IN
Manitoba Corp. – St. Louis, MO
VH Techworks – Plano, TX
At these companies to date, 53 people with disabilities have been hired through ADVANCE+, and 31 additional people are projected to be hired by the end of 2023.
Through these fourteen employers, the ADVANCE+ program has collectively hired 108 people with disabilities with an additional 52 people projected to be hired by the end of the year. 90% of those hired are still on the job, and all employers have reported both decreases in absenteeism and lost-time accidents.
How To:
1) Application
All certified certified e-cyclers can apply to participate in the ADVANCE+ workforce inclusion training program by submitting an application.
2) Selection
Once you submit your application, you will be contacted by our Social Impact Chair, Bill Morris, who will discuss your application, your qualification for the program, and next steps.
Learn More
If you have any questions, please email e-Stewards or call the e-Stewards office at (206) 436-8595. You can also reach out to Bill Morris of Blue Star Recyclers, or call their office at (719) 494-4436.