Sixty-seven per cent of people with physical disabilities are unemployed, a number Paul Cudmore wants to reduce. (Canadian Parapalygic Association)

A program begins Monday to help Islanders with physical disabilities get back into the workforce.

The Prince Edward Island Canadian Paraplegic Association and the PEI Council of People with Disabilities are offering the program.

Mike Curran hasn't been able to work since a car collision five years ago paralyzed him from the chest down.

The St. Teresa man, a welder by trade, has limited use of his arms.

"Being that I was hands on, it's very difficult to find a new niche," Curran said. "That's been my problem since the accident."

Curran is one of 10 people chosen to take part in an employment program, which involves 13 weeks of class training, where they'll learn work-oriented skills and find a career path. After the class training, there's a 13-week job placement subsidized by government funding.

The program will have guest speakers and help build the confidence level of the participants to let them know there are jobs out there for them.

Back to work

"Sixty-seven per cent of people with physical disabilities are unemployed and we want to turn that number around at the Canadian Paraplegic Association. In order to do that we need to have programs like this, back to work and education programs," said Paul Cudmore, a board member for the association.

Curran said he's interested in a job where he can help other people with disabilities.

"To gain some responsibility and to move on, just to be able to do something. There's something missing. Hopefully this will help fill that gap," Curran said.

The program was pitched to the Department of Community Services and Seniors last April, and was approved in December.

The program received about $120,000 from the provincial and federal government, including Service Canada and SkillsPEI.

Classes begin Monday.