Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation Helps Fill Tech Employment Gap by Collaborating to Empower Youth with Disabilities

Rhea-AI Summary

Mitsubishi Electric will present at CES 2023, focusing on the role of assistive technology in empowering youth with disabilities for workforce training. The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) has partnered with nonprofits to develop inclusive education programs, addressing the tech skills gap as 2.4 million manufacturing jobs are projected to remain unfilled by 2028. Despite recent improvements, unemployment rates for individuals with disabilities are still twice that of those without. MEAF's initiatives aim to support diverse talent development in high-demand tech sectors.

Positive

• MEAF's collaborations with nonprofits since 1991 to promote inclusive education.
• Support for programs that prepare youth with disabilities for careers in high-demand sectors like IT and cybersecurity.
• $21.5 million contributed by MEAF to empower young individuals with disabilities.

Negative

• Unemployment rates for individuals with disabilities are still double that of individuals without disabilities.

CES 2023 Future of Work Presentation Highlights Benefits of Assistive Technology and Inclusive Job Skills Training to Contribute to a Global, Sustainable Smart Society

Visit Mitsubishi Electric at CES: Booth #3841 in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center

LAS VEGAS & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mitsubishi Electric and Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) 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 November 2022 National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) Report, 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 2018 Skills Gap and Future of Work Study by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute predict that 2.4 million manufacturing jobs will go unfilled by 2028, while the 2021 Salesforce and RAND Europe survey 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: NSITE’s Cisco®-certified 40-week training model that prepares individuals who are blind or visually impaired for careers in IT and cybersecurity; Career Launch@Perkins, an innovative customer experience workforce development program for people who are visually impaired and interested in Salesforce® and customer service careers; The Uniquely Abled Project® which prepares young people with autism for careers as CNC machine operators; and Exceptional Minds’ 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 us.mitsubishielectric.com/en and learn more about the Foundation at: www.meaf.org.

For additional information, visit ces.mitsubishielectric.com.

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 us.mitsubishielectric.com/en.

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 www.MitsubishiElectric.com.

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 www.MEAF.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230106005006/en/

Jessica Neuman

Media Manager and Senior Account Executive

Westbound Communications

jneuman@westboundcommunications.com

Mobile: +1 858.382.5157

Christina O’Connell

Senior Manager, Corporate Communications

Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc.

christina.oconnell@meus.com

Office: +1 714.236.6135 / Mobile: +1 714.713.0145

Source: Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc.

FAQ

What is Mitsubishi Electric presenting at CES 2023?

Mitsubishi Electric is presenting on the benefits of assistive technology and inclusive job skills training for youth with disabilities.

What initiatives does the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation support?

MEAF supports initiatives that develop curricula and corporate alliances for inclusive education aimed at youth with disabilities.

What are the unemployment statistics for workers with disabilities according to the press release?

The press release states that individuals with disabilities are still twice as likely to be unemployed compared to those without disabilities.

How much has the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation contributed to its initiatives?

MEAF has contributed over $21.5 million to organizations empowering young people with disabilities.

What are the projected job openings in manufacturing by 2028?

It is predicted that 2.4 million manufacturing jobs will remain unfilled by 2028.