About Us
The EmployAbility Project is a unique partnership between area employers, educational institutions and government that assists underserved populations entering the workforce. We have been established as a 501c3 corporation to assist qualified persons with disabilities and other underserved populations prepare for employment in information technology and other fields in economic demand. Candidates will receive services that prepare them for employment: screening, education, mentoring, internship and placement for their particular skill area. Examples of the purpose of this organization include:
Identifying individuals who have aspirations to achieve financial independence through a career in Information Technology and related areas.
Assessing current education and skill levels.
Training and mentoring of candidates in pre-qualified areas of skill.
Working with local businesses to create internship & employment opportunities.
The EmployAbility Project is the continuation of TechWorks, a partnership formed in August 1999 between the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Madison Area Technical College, Goodwill Industries and Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). In addition to these partners, TechWorks formed a Business Advisory Council (BAC) consisting of volunteer information technology employers who developed the employment skills & training matrix.
In October 2002, TechWorks received a federal appropriations grant that enabled the partnership to provide hundreds of individual services to candidates with disabilities. The grant was used to purchase case management and educational services. The case manager worked with the candidates to help administer and facilitate the efforts of the BAC: such as job seeking skills, mentoring throughout the job seeking process and helping find internships & placements. Through this time members of the BAC volunteered for TechWorks by offering tours of their information technology departments, allowing participants to job shadow, serving as business mentors, providing internships or offering jobs to participants.
The Project has retained the relationships formed by TechWorks and, in addition has sought out other relationships that might enhance its ability to expand the network of professionals involved. We anticipate that as our services base changes to accommodate economic demands that our BAC will add health care and Spanish speaking clients to our board, advisory committee and mentor roster.
Our Mission
EmployAbility is a unique partnership between area employers, educational institutions and government that assists underserved populations enter the workforce. Services are provided to address each individual’s specific vocational needs, including:
Career Assessment
Career & Educational Advising
Career Coaching
Mentoring
Job Preparation
Internships
Job Placement Opportunities
Student Transition Services
Veteran Transition Services
Professional Networking
Learn more about our unique services by clicking the button below.
Our Vision
The EmployAbility Project Provides employment skills training, mentoring, and business networking for underserved populations and people with disabilities by helping to:
Develop and refine technical business skills
Identify business mentors
Provide internships
“In my role as a partner at an internet-based consulting firm, I see first-hand the problems that can arise when any individual attempts to make a complete career change. I appreciate that The EmployAbility Project allows me to use my marketing expertise in a way that helps underserved candidates bridge the gap between school or the military and work.”
Our Team
Director
BJ Pfeiffer
BJ serves as the Director of the EmployAbility Project and is President of Enterprise Solutions Technology Group, Inc., an award winning IT consulting firm she formed in 1996. She is dedicated to helping people with disabilities enter the work force and has formed a consortium of area business leaders to help guide, mentor and develop program participants. She is an alumna of St. Catherine University and Northwestern University Kellogg Executive Scholar program – Non Profit Management.
Board Member
Ann Schuelke
As a partner at Automotive Glass Consultants and principal of sister company, AGC and Associates, Ann is a top producing, consultative relationship manager experienced at helping businesses grow. She is an excellent verbal and written communicator with well developed presentation skills, the ability to uncover unmet needs and provide solutions.
Board Member
Rosemary Lehman
Author, online instructor, and consultant in the field of distance education and a partner in eInterface. She worked for University of Wisconsin-Extension for 20 years– as Senior Outreach and Distance Education Specialist and Manager of the Instructional Communications Systems Learning Design and Outreach Team. In these positions, Rosemary taught online and supervised faculty, staff, government, and non-profit personnel in selecting, designing for, and using distance education technologies effectively. She received her doctorate in Distance Education and Adult Learning, and her Master’s in Television and Media Critique, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Board Member
Richard Potter
Richard has spent over 35 years working at Alliant Energy, and is currently the Principal Smart Grid Technology Consultant at Alliant Energy. He received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1981 at Michigan Technological University, and has since had several managerial and executive positions within Alliant Energy. He also is a graduate of Leadership Greater Madison, and serves as member of the LGM Alumni Association Advisory Council.
Talent Acquisition Unit Manager - Central/West Region
Jeffrey R. Close
Jeffrey is currently the Staffing Manager at American Family Insurance in Madison, WI, and has worked as a specialist in Information Services and Human Resources for many years. He has an Associate’s Degree in Data Processing from Chippewa Valley Technical College, and has also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education/Broad Field Social Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Jeffrey has also served on several boards and committees, both in academia and business.
Board Member
Galen M. Metz
Galen is author of The Holistic CIO and a retired healthcare Chief Information Officer. Formerly CIO of Group Health in Madison, he has been recognized nationally for IT innovation and leadership. Galen has also served as strategic advisor to several healthcare IT startups.
Contact Us
Click below to be taken to our contact page
Volunteers
THE EMPLOYABILITY PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM
Jeff Close, Staffing Manager - American Family Insurance
Debra Earl, Program Director - Enterprise Solutions Technology Group, Inc.
Jen Emmons Manager Talent - Aquisition at Alliant Energy
Karen Lambright, Counselor - State of Wisconsin DVR (retired)
Rosemary Lehman Ph.D, Partner - eInterface
Margaret Leitinger, Vice President - Spherion
Galen Metz, Consultant & author - The Holistic CIO
Shelley McCoy, Vice President - Enterprise Solutions Technology Group, Inc.
Sonja Patterson, Volunteer Coordinator
Shelley Peterman Schwarz, President - Meeting Life’s Challenges (emeritus)
BJ Pfeiffer, President - Enterprise Solutions Technology Group, Inc
Rick Potter, Consultant - Principal Smart Grid Technology Alliant Energy
Cathy River, Owner - Madison Brain Center
Karyn Schairer, Sales Development & Marketing Coordinator - Quality Power Solutions
Cheryl Schiltz, Writer, Photographer, Disability Advocate
Ann Schuelke, Managing Partner - AGC & Associates
Mikael Snitker-Magin, Community Employment Coordinator - US Dept. Veterans Affairs
Josh Schmidt, IT Business Solution Services Manager - Group Health Cooperative
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