Paving Pathways to Careers and Advancement: Leveraging Registered Apprenticeship

The direct support professional (DSP) is a subset of the broader direct care workforce. DSPs play a crucial role in supporting people with disabilities to participate fully in their communities, live in integrated settings and seek competitive integrated employment. To address the shortage of DSP workers, increases in hours, wages, and benefits, and providing opportunities for professional development and credential attainment to support career ladders for DSPs, will increase job quality and thus improve DSP recruitment and retention efforts. It is critical for people with disabilities to receive the supports they need from qualified DSPs so they may engage in work and live independently. By assisting jobseekers and employees with disabilities, DSPs contribute to building a more diverse and stable workforce and economy. Registered apprenticeships offer an effective solution to addressing the extreme shortage of DSPs and other in-demand professions.