[ This article was originally published here ]
LAS VEGAS & WASHINGTON–()–and will present at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on the benefits of harnessing the use of assistive technology to prepare and empower youth with disabilities to access workforce training programs to help fill today’s high-tech employment gap and contribute to a global, sustainable smart society.
Since 1991, MEAF has worked with nonprofit partners to develop curricula, learning technologies, and corporate alliances to promote inclusive, quality education to empower youth with disabilities and prepare them for the competitive job market. According to Kevin R. Webb, senior director at MEAF, despite slight gains made by workers with disabilities as reported in the Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire , people with disabilities are still twice as likely to be unemployed as people without disabilities. While this pool of capable talent sits on the sidelines, the by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute predict that 2.4 million manufacturing jobs will go unfilled by 2028, while the predicts the digital skills gap could lead to $11.5 trillion in cumulative lost GDP growth by 2028.
“We are working to address the tech skills gap by supporting organizations that help build a pipeline of diverse, capable and reliable talent to meet the workforce needs of today and tomorrow,” said Webb. “The nonprofit partners with which we have collaborated and funded develop highly sophisticated learning programs with leading technology platforms that are very much in-demand to prepare youth with disabilities with the skills to help meet today’s workforce needs.”
Examples of leading technology learning programs supported by MEAF include: ’s Cisco®-certified 40-week training model that prepares individuals who are blind or visually impaired for careers in IT and cybersecurity; , an innovative customer experience workforce development program for people who are visually impaired and interested in Salesforce® and customer service careers; which prepares young people with autism for careers as CNC machine operators; and academy and studio for artists and animators with autism, providing them with valuable experience to work in gaming and on Hollywood studio films.
Webb, who also leads sustainability and social impact efforts at Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc., states that the Foundation’s work is just one facet of Mitsubishi Electric’s broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy to advance a global, sustainable smart society by using the power of the company’s people, processes, products, and philanthropy to address societal challenges.
“Our offerings span many industries that are vital contributors to growing a smart society,” Webb said. “That puts us is in a unique position to gather data-driven, cross-industry business insights that will improve our solutions, help our customers achieve their business goals, and – over time – help solve macro social challenges such as accelerating decarbonization, optimizing use and re-use of vital resources, and promoting well-being and inclusion for all people, especially those with disabilities.”
For more information on Mitsubishi Electric’s efforts to advance a global, sustainable smart society visit and learn more about the Foundation at: .
For additional information, visit .
About Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc.
Headquartered in Cypress, CA, Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc., is a US affiliate company of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, and manufactures cooling and heating products, elevators and escalators, space and sensing systems, and semiconductor devices. Mitsubishi Electric contributes to a vibrant and sustainable society through continuous innovation and “Making Changes for the Better.” For additional information visit .
About Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
With 100 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality products, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) is a recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing and communications, space development and satellite communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and building equipment. Mitsubishi Electric enriches society with technology in the spirit of its “Changes for the Better.” For more information, please visit .
About Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF)
The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, based in the Washington, D.C. area, was established in 1991 by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and the Mitsubishi Electric U.S. companies, which produce, sell and distribute a wide range of consumer, industrial, commercial and professional electronics products. The Foundation has contributed more than $21.5 million to organizations that are empowering young people with disabilities to lead more inclusive and productive lives. To learn more, visit .
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