Bridging the gap between education and employment

From Slovak Pilot to European Programme

Profesia Lab is a Slovak initiative launched in 2022 by Alma Career Slovakia in partnership with Michigan State University. It is a 9-month, four-step programme that helps young people with disabilities (aged 17–30) transition into competitive employment through evidence-based skills training, employer engagement, and collaboration with regional NGOs.

• Since its launch, the programme has grown from 10 employer partners in 2022 to 29 in 2026. Between 2023 and 2025, 325 candidates registered, approximately 40% of whom secured paid internships — many of which extended into long-term employment.

• Notable employer partners include Tesco Stores, IKEA, Deutsche Telekom, Volkswagen, PwC, and the capital city of Slovakia, Bratislava.

• The programme has received an Impact Award (2022) and National Career Awards (2021 and 2025).

Inclusive Hub is the international version of Profesia Lab, coordinated by Alma Career Slovakia and currently expanding across Europe. Active programmes are now in development in Czechia, Lithuania, and Croatia.

• Inclusive Hub operates under a zero-profit model — Alma Career invests alongside local NGOs and partners to keep participation costs as low as possible. The programme is free of charge for job seekers.

• The working language is English, enabling cross-border collaboration between employers, candidates, employment specialists (job coaches), and researchers.

Both programmes share the same four-stage methodology, evidence base, and research partnership with Michigan State University.

Why Join Inclusive Hub?

People with disabilities represent one of Europe's largest underutilised talent pools — yet the employment rate for young people with disabilities aged 20–29 in the EU stands at just 47.4%, compared to 75.6% for their peers without disabilities. For employers already facing recruitment challenges, this is an opportunity, not a constraint.

Inclusive Hub builds a pre-screened pipeline of motivated, supported candidates — so your organisation does not need to build that capability internally. The programme handles sourcing, skills training, and onboarding support from start to finish.

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Download Roadmap for employers

What employers gain by participating

• Access to untapped talent — reach candidates from non-traditional pools, including neurodivergent professionals and young people with various disabilities.

• Higher retention and loyalty — employees with disabilities show significantly lower turnover when well-matched to a role.

• Stronger team performance — neurodivergent employees bring distinct strengths: attention to detail, pattern recognition, and reliability.

• CSRD readiness — the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requires companies to evidence social inclusion; participation in Inclusive Hub provides documented, measurable impact.

• Lower costs than you think — 59% of workplace accommodations cost nothing; the median cost is just €500.

• Reputation and consumer preference — consumers actively prefer companies with inclusive hiring practices.

Who Can Join?

Employers

Any company or public-sector organisation committed to inclusive hiring and willing to host at least one workplace site visit for candidates, offer paid internship opportunities where suitable candidates are identified and engage with programme training and evaluation.

There is no limit on the number of employer partners per country.

Job Seekers

Inclusive Hub welcomes students and young people (aged 17–30) with disabilities or special needs who have less than one year of work experience — entering the workforce for the first time after completing their education.

For the 2026/27 cohort, we are actively seeking candidates from Slovakia, Czechia, Lithuania, and Croatia. 

  The registration deadline is 31 October 2026.

• Registration for employers

• Registration for job seekers