Arizona unveils jobs program for people with disabilities

PHOENIX – A national company that helps people with disabilities find work is on a mission to create hundreds of job opportunities in Arizona.

Gov. Doug Ducey and The Precisionists, Inc. (TPI) announced a partnership Tuesday, the Phoenix Precision Project, that will provide training and placement services.

“We want to be a state of opportunity for all,” Ducey said during the announcement.

The program’s goal is to create around 500 jobs in the next four years and 1,000 by 2025 for adults with autism and other disabilities in a wide range of technology and administrative fields, including software development, database analytics and data entry.

Today, we heard from Kregg, one of the first participants in the Phoenix Precision Project. @ArizonaDES pic.twitter.com/GMjwBa5YeZ

— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) February 5, 2019

“We have an enormous opportunity to create domestic jobs with high-performing people who are just dying for a chance to contribute,” said Ernie Dianastasis, CEO of Delaware-based TPI.

Three state organizations already have joined the project: the Arizona Department of Economic Security, utility SRP and portable storage company Mobile Mini.

Dianastasis said a lack of job opportunities is a major problem for people with disabilities.

“In autism alone, under- and unemployment is somewhere between 75 to 80 percent,” he said.

As part of the project, TPI will build an innovation and technology center in the Phoenix area. The company hopes to secure 10 clients this year.

The governor’s office, SRP, the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and First Place AZ, which provides housing, education and training to adults with autism, are collaborating on the program.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Taylor Kinnerup contributed to this report. 

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