Sephora Welcomes First Class of Trainees to its Maryland Distribution Center
BALTIMORE (September 14, 2020) – Today, the Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Rehabilitative Services (MSDE DORS) announces a new partnership with Sephora to provide career opportunities to individuals with disabilities. In an innovative customized training program, Sephora is collaborating with MSDE DORS and Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) to provide on-site warehouse associate training at its Maryland Distribution Center. Kicking off today, the first training class is set to include seven DORS customers, with future classes planned to meet the prestige retailer’s overall goal of expanding 30% of its total warehouse workforce to include those with disabilities over time. This is the third facility in which Sephora is launching this program, following the Olive Branch, MS and Las Vegas, NV distribution centers.
“We are excited about our partnership with Sephora and CCBC and the opportunities it will provide to enhance the lives of people with disabilities in Maryland, both through training and employment,” said State Superintendent Karen B. Salmon, Ph.D. “This training marks a first among our corporate partnerships with all job training takes place on site at Sephora. It’s a model we will look to replicate in the future.”
This collaboration with Sephora marks the third successful alliance training between MSDE DORS, the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), and corporate partners, following the Starbucks Inclusion Academy and the CVS Health Retail Inclusion Academy. MSDE DORS and CCBC have assisted with recruiting and staffing the Sephora program, and will assist with operating the on-site training program.
“We are thrilled for this new partnership with the Maryland Department of Rehabilitative Services. Our distribution centers have achieved great success through this program and we are confident the Maryland Distribution Center will be equally successful,” said Kelly Petersen, Senior Manager of Human Resourcs DC for Sephora. “At Sephora, we believe that belonging is now more important than ever and as an industry-leading retailer, we can help shape the expectation of what recruiting, hiring and training should look like, for all.”
As Sephora welcomes new team members to the Maryland Distribution Center, the company remains focused on creating the safest work environment possible. Sephora has implemented strict hygiene and safety measures across all Sephora distribution centers to enhance social distancing and increase cleaning and sanitation throughout the facilities. Sephora is also creating detailed scheduling strategies to limit contact between associates to small working groups and enable true social separation. Sephora will continue to closely follow all guidance from local and national health officials as it continues to modify protocols at the Maryland Distribution Center and across all facilities.
About MSDE Division of Rehabilitation Services
The MSDE Division of Rehabilitation Services offers programs and services that help people with disabilities go to work. For more information, visit dors.maryland.gov or follow DORS on Facebook at Maryland DORS.
