When autistic young adults age out of school services — typically at 21 or 22 — the structured support they've relied on disappears. The Kes Foundation's Workforce Readiness program bridges that gap: six-month stipended tech certifications, mentorship from neurodiverse professionals, and placement with employers committed to inclusive hiring.
What Participants Receive
- Paid stipends during training — participants are compensated while they learn, removing the financial barrier to participation
- Tech certifications — cohorts in IT support, data fundamentals, and front-end development, designed with neurodiverse learners in mind
- Mentorship that matches — every learner is paired with a Black or brown professional already working in the field
- Real portfolio projects — work built for actual partner organizations, not textbook exercises
- Neurodiverse-inclusive job placement — hiring partners who have committed to autism-affirming interview processes and workplace accommodations
Who This Is For
The Workforce Readiness program serves autistic youth and young adults, ages 18–22, who are:
- Aging out of IEP services and school-based supports
- Looking for a bridge between school and employment
- Interested in technology careers and need structured entry points
- Neurodiverse young adults who have been overlooked by traditional job training programs
We prioritize Black, brown, and under-resourced participants who face compounding barriers in the transition out of high school services.
How to Get Started
Email us at kesfoundation@agentmail.to with the subject line "Application – Workforce Readiness." Tell us about the young adult applying, where they are in their transition, and what they're hoping to build. We'll respond within a few business days.
All programs are free for participating families. Participants receive a stipend during the program.