Transforming Employment Landscapes: Inclusive Hub Presented at UN Science Summit 2025

The presentation opened with sobering statistics: across the European Union, only 47.4% of young people with disabilities aged 20-29 are employed, compared to 75.6% of their peers without disabilities. Almost one in five are unemployed, and one in three are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Dr. Connie Sung, Annmarie Hawkins Research Professor in Disability Justice at the University of Michigan, alongside Anna Podlesná and Martina Čápová from Alma Career Slovakia, demonstrated how their collaborative model addresses this gap through evidence-based intervention during the critical school-to-work transition period.

The presentation featured powerful testimonials from program participants and was introduced by JUDr. Zuzana Stavrovská, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in Slovakia, who has served in this role since 2015. Her presence underscored the support and recognition of the program's importance in fulfilling Slovakia's obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Profesia Lab Model

At the heart of the presentation was Profesia Lab, an innovative four-step dual-customer approach that serves both job seekers with disabilities and employers. Launched in November 2022, the program combines education, work-based learning, workplace exploration, and paid internships.

The model incorporates the evidence-based ASSET (Assistive Soft Skills and Employment Training, Sung et al., 2019) program, originally developed at Michigan State University, which focuses on work-related social skills intervention. Job coaches provide ongoing support before, during, and after internships to help participants navigate workplace challenges and plan for sustainable employment.​

The initiative operates through a collaborative network bringing together employers who provide internship positions and mentorship, schools that assist with participant recruitment and academic support, and NGOs that offer outreach services and wraparound coaching.

Aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals

The presentation emphasized how Profesia Lab directly advances five UN Sustainable Development Goals:​

SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through paid internships and inclusive employment opportunities​

SDG 4 (Quality Education) via social and communication skills training and vocational development​

SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by dismantling employment barriers for vulnerable populations​

SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through cross-sector collaboration among employers, NGOs, and educational institutions​

SDG 1 (No Poverty) by transitioning individuals from dependency to economic self-sufficiency

Impressive Results and Impact

The presentation highlighted significant achievements from 2023 to August 2025. In Slovakia alone, 325 job seekers with various disabilities registered with Profesia Lab, with 290 completing the ASSET program and 170 participating in workplace exploration activities. The number of participating employers grew from 10 to 24, collectively offering 116 paid internships. Notably, 40% of participants continued working after their internships.​

Major employers participating in the program include TESCO STORES SR, IKEA, Volkswagen Slovakia, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deutsche Telekom, municipal enterprises and many others across diverse sectors. The program has established a network of nine community partners across Slovakia, including 11 ASSET facilitators and nine employment specialists.​

Evaluation results demonstrate the program's effectiveness: 96.5% of job seekers recommended Profesia Lab to their peers, and 94.6% reported feeling better prepared to look for employment after completing the program. ASSET facilitators observed increased self-confidence in most participants, while employment specialists noted improvements in overall work behaviors. Training and collaboration with employers improved their understanding of disabilities and supportive employment, increasing their willingness to hire and retain individuals with disabilities.

Expanding Across Central Europe and Beyond

The presentation concluded with exciting plans for expansion. Alma Career is extending the Inclusive Hub model to address service gaps across Central Europe, the Baltics, and the Balkans. Pilot programs are planned for 2026 in Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia, with a goal of serving 100 job seekers across these countries including Slovakia. The Inclusive Hub presentation at the UN Science Summit demonstrated how research-to-practice partnerships can create sustainable, evidence-based solutions to complex social challenges. By combining academic research, corporate resources, and community support, the model offers a replicable framework for advancing inclusive employment and economic empowerment globally.