When the need for skilled hospital workers skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals scrambled to find staff. This shortage included environmental technicians—employees who contribute significantly to the health and safety of patients, staff, and guests by keeping healthcare facilities clean.

With the emergence of this challenge, we saw a chance to help solve it—all while expanding employment for people with disabilities. Thanks to generous support to The Michael Ziegler PRIDE Industries Foundation, including a grant from Kaiser Permanente, we created a skills lab to train participants for roles as environmental technicians. Over 30 individuals have now completed the course and become eligible for a significant pay raise and new career path.