 Work ForwardÂ
One Solution. Endless Possibilities.
Work Forward is a flexible employment readiness program that adapts to the unique needs of your organization and the people you serve.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Support VRÂ participants with structured employment readiness training.
Disability Service Providers
Strengthen the employment services you provide with engaging, ready-to-use training.
Employment Specialist Academy (ESA) equips professionals with the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools needed to support individuals with disabilities in finding, maintaining, and advancing in meaningful employment.
Developed by experienced professionals in job development, supported employment, rehabilitation counseling, transition services, and workforce development, ESA combines research-based instruction with real-world application to prepare Employment Specialists and Job Developers for success in today's employment services landscape.
Whether you're new to the field or looking to strengthen your expertise, ESA provides comprehensive training aligned with nationally recognized employment competencies and person-centered employment practices.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
You're Going to Get
-
ACRE-Approved Curriculum
- Fully Online + Self-Paced
-
40-Hour Online Training Program
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40 Comprehensive Lessons with Instructional Videos
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16 Video Interviews of People with Disabilities Sharing Their Perspectives
- 200 page Downloadable Workbook
â Type Directly into Fillable PDF, Write on a Tablet, or Print and Complete by Hand
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112 Downloadable Handouts / Guides
- Over 550 Curated Resources / Tools to Help You Explore Each Lesson Topic More Deeply
- Case Studies, Reflection Prompts, + Practical Exercises
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Real-World Tools + Strategies for Employment Teams
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The Connection Co. Certificate of Completion
-
ACRE Certificate of Completion
- Enroll Once, Access for Life â Including Automatic Content Updates
Yeah, it includes all that!
Sign up for ESA to become the employment support professional you always knew you could be.
GET THE TRAINING
Explore 4 Lessons from ESA
Get a free preview of the ESA program with access to four complete lessons. Experience the teaching style, tools, and activities included in the full course and discover how ESA supports personal growth and lasting change.
In Just 40 Hours, You Could Learn How ToâŚ
- Help individuals with disabilities discover their strengths and career goals
- Develop partnerships with employers and create employment opportunities
- Support successful job placement and workplace inclusion
- Deliver effective job coaching and systematic instruction
- Increase job retention and long-term employment success
- Promote independence, self-advocacy, and career growth
Brooke
Community Employment Team Lead, G.O.A.L.S.
"The Employment Specialist Academy course through the Connection Co. is an excellent source of supplemental material designed to increase the understanding and practical application of thorough job development procedures. As a local job developer/employment specialist myself for the past 3 and half years, I found the course to be educational, insightful, and realistic. The practices suggested throughout are consistent with national and state standards, and the course continuously emphasizes the rights, responsibilities, and dignity of the population we work with. I would recommend this course to any job developer looking to deepen their knowledge and strengthen their commitment as they learn and engage in lecture, activities, and reflection to enhance the experience of employment participants and increase efforts to find and retain their employment."
THINK ABOUT IT
Imagine the difference one year from now...
Imagine having more confidence in employer meetings.
Imagine knowing exactly how to support job seekers through challenges.
Imagine creating better employment matches, stronger workplace supports, and more successful outcomes.
Imagine helping more individuals achieve meaningful employment and greater independence.
That's what ESA was built to help you do.
So, what exactly is in this training program?
MODULE 1
Disability Foundations + Employment Services
Build a strong foundation in disability awareness, employment systems, professionalism, and person-centered practices.
MODULE 2
Career Planning + Job Development
MODULE 3
Career Readiness + Job Acquisition
MODULE 4
Job Coaching + Retention
Employment Specialist Academy
-
Welcome
5 lessons- Pre-Survey
- Workbook
- Copyright + Use of Course Material
- ACRE-Approved Basic Employment Services Training
- Welcome
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Module 1: Disability Foundation + Employment Services
17 lessons- Welcome to Module 1
- Lesson 1: Disability Etiquette
- Lesson 2: Disability History + Laws
- Interview: Eric
- Lesson 3: Self-Advocacy + Self-Determination
- Interview: Katie
- Lesson 4: Team Collaboration
- Interview: Austin and Rick
- Lesson 5: Professionalism
- Lesson 6: Cultural Competencies + Trauma Informed Support
- Lesson 7: Documentation + Reporting
- Lesson 8: Resources + Referrals
- Lesson 9: Inclusive Employment Models
- Lesson 10: Employment Systems + Supports
- Interview: Haley
- Module 1 Quiz
- Module 1 Progress Check
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Module 2: Career Planning + Job Development
17 lessons- Welcome to Module 2
- Lesson 1: Person Centered Employment Planning
- Interview: Beth
- Lesson 2: Assessment + Discovery
- Lesson 3: Exploration + Supports
- Lesson 4: Job Carving + Customized Employment
- Interview: Hailey
- Lesson 5: Transition Planning for Young Adults
- Lesson 6: Benefits + Work Incentives
- Lesson 7: Marketing Materials
- Lesson 8: Labor Market Trends + Job Matching
- Lesson 9: Employer Outreach + Networking
- Interview: Loren
- Lesson 10: Facilitating Collaboration
- Interview: Denise
- Module 2 Quiz
- Module 2 Progress Check
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Module 3: Career Readiness + Job Acquisition
17 lessons- Welcome to Module 3
- Lesson 1: Job Seeker Preparation + Involvement
- Interview: Daina
- Lesson 2: Job Searching + Applications
- Lesson 3: Cover Letters, Resumes + References
- Lesson 4: Interviewing + Employer Outreach
- Lesson 5: Disability Disclosure
- Interview: Andrew and Danielle
- Lesson 6: Accommodations + Modifications
- Interview: Michaela
- Lesson 7: Supported Employment Specific Assistance
- Lesson 8: Overcoming Interpersonal Challenges
- Lesson 9: Role Clarification + Successful Hire
- Lesson 10: Understanding Employer Expectations + Culture
- Interview: Lyn
- Module 3 Quiz
- Module 3 Progress Check
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Module 4: Job Coaching + Retention
17 lessons- Welcome to Module 4
- Lesson 1: Onboarding + Orientation Support
- Interview: Nicholas
- Lesson 2: Systematic Instruction 101
- Lesson 3: Systematic Instruction Strategies
- Lesson 4: Job Task Analysis
- Lesson 5: Coaching Tools + Supports
- Lesson 6: Feedback, Communication, + Performance Data
- Interview: Kyla
- Lesson 7: Conflict Resolution + Problem Solving
- Lesson 8: Fading Supports
- Interview: Shaun
- Lesson 9: Long-Term Support Planning
- Lesson 10: Career Stability + Advancement
- Interview: Andrea
- Module 4 Quiz
- Module 4 Progress Check
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Congratulations
2 lessons- Congrats + Certificate Information
- Post-Survey
Ready to make a lasting impact?
Earn Two Certificates Upon CompletionÂ
Â
1ď¸âŁ The Connection Co. Certificate of CompletionÂ
Recognizing your successful completion of the Employment Specialist Academy
2ď¸âŁ ACRE Certificate of CompletionÂ
Demonstrating achievement of nationally recognized employment competencies through ESA, an ACRE-approved training program
To earn both certificates, participants must:
â Complete all training modules
â Complete all required learning activities
â Pass all quizzes with a score of 70% or higher
â Successfully complete the full ESA curriculum
Built By Practitioners, Not Just Trainers
ESA wasn't created by people who simply study employment services.
It was built by professionals who have spent years helping individuals with disabilities prepare for employment, connect with employers, navigate workplace challenges, and achieve meaningful outcomes.
We're still on the front lines of this work today, which means the strategies you learn are practical, relevant, and proven in the real world.
MEET YOUR TRAINERS
Hi there, we're Alison + Andrea
Alison Swan, MS, CRC
Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling
University of WisconsinâStout
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)
- Over 12 years of experience in disability employment services
- Extensive background in job development and career counseling
- Developer of workforce training programs and online curriculum
- Specialized in supporting neurodivergent individuals, people with mental health conditions, and those with acquired disabilities
Andrea Marty, M.Ed.
Master of Science in Special Education
University of WisconsinâStevens Point
- Over 12 years as a Special Education Teacher and Transition Coordinator
- Developed employment-focused curriculum
- Led school-based job training programs
- Extensive experience supporting students as they transition to employment and adult life
- Specialized in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through supported and customized employment
Katrina
Job Developer, Independent Contractor
"This training was incredibly helpful and impactful for my role as an employment support professional. I was able to clearly connect the lessons, activities, and resources to my daily work, and I now feel I have a more comprehensive understanding of how to effectively support the individuals I work with. Because I split my time between roles as both a Job Developer and a Job Coach, I found the information shared in this program to be extremely relevant and valuable to both areas of my work. I especially appreciated the interviews, as they brought the concepts to life and provided meaningful real-world examples."