Workforce Recruitment Program helps young people with disabilities find jobs

  • Published
  • By Richard Salomon
  • Air Force’s Personnel Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) --  The Air Force is increasing its participation in an annual work program that gives on-the-job experience to college students and recent graduates with disabilities.


The Workforce Recruitment Program connects federal and private sector employers nationwide with job-seeking college students and recent graduates with disabilities. The program is sponsored by the Defense Department and the Department of Labor.

In support of this initiative, the Air Force Equal Opportunity office works with the major commands and individual bases to raise WRP awareness among managers and hiring officials.

“Each year, the Air Force provides summer or temporary jobs to more than 35 motivated interns with disabilities who are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace,” said Kendra Duckworth, Air Force EO disability program manager. “Our goal is to double the number of internship opportunities this year, so we can increase the representation of persons with disabilities in the federal workforce.”

WRP recruiters conduct interviews with interested candidates from accredited colleges and universities from across the country. Candidates represent all majors and range from college freshmen to graduate and law students. Information from the interviews is loaded into a searchable database for hiring officials, who can register at www.wrp.gov to review candidates and rank top selections.

WRP internships run from Jan. 15 to Sept. 30 each year and are funded by the DoD at no cost to the unit. If desired and if a vacant position is available, the Air Force organization may convert the intern into a permanent position without a competitive announcement at the end of the internship.

“The Air Force takes pride in striving to be a model employer for individuals with disabilities and is committed to maximizing their opportunities while supporting the overall mission,” said Mary Villarreal, Air Force Personnel Center human resource specialist.

For more information, call the Air Force’s Equal Opportunity Policy office at (240) 612-4006. Interested individuals can also email AFPC’s Civilian Force Management Branch at afpc.dp3fm.civforcemgtbranch@us.af.mil for additional information.


For more information about Air Force personnel programs, go to myPers. Eligible individuals who do not have a myPers account can request one by following these instructions.