QWE Practice Guideline: 310: Partner with organizations and peers in the local community

Target group: Any organization employing and/or supporting individuals with disabilities

Practice Description

A partnership was developed with Safeway to provide hands on training, assessment, and increased employment opportunities.

Resources Needed

Subject matter experts/trainers

• Staff from the partner location to provide training and appropriate equipment

Equipment

• For the Safeway partnership: cash registers, shelves, product

Implementation

Process

• Beacon Group began by reaching out to Safeway to establish a strong business partnership and layout the details of a training model
• Safeway then set up a mock grocery store within the Beacon Group facility, which included
  • Shelves stocked with Safeway products
  • Two checkout lanes, complete with cash register, conveyor, and bagging station
• For individuals interested in working as a courtesy clerk, the mock grocery store provided a training center and opportunity for Beacon to assess skill and aptitude levels
  • Soft skills and some technical skills could be worked on as well even for those not interested in grocery store employment
  • Training is continued until an individual is ready for employment

Documentation

• SOPs
  • Policies and procedures for operating a training program, including facets specific to working within a Safeway or grocery store
• Training
  • For staff that will be supporting and providing the training

Outcomes/Results

• This training model allows for a smoother transition from training to employment and minimizes the time that a job coach is needed
• Safeway has a pool of capable and well-trained individuals from which to hire

NPA: Beacon Group
Location: Tucson, AZ
Date Submitted: 2011
Website: www.thebeacongroup.org

Resources: Quality Work Environment Workbook