Aspire’s Employment Training Program: Distribution
So people of every ability can make a living.
We believe everyone has the ability to make a difference in a boundlessly inclusive world, so in partnership with distribution companies, we’ve developed a new one-of-a-kind employment training program for people with disabilities. This program provides the specific skills, knowledge, and experience needed to be valuable and successful employees within the warehouse and distribution industry.
The program is a 10-week experience, with sessions held 3 days a week onsite at Aspire’s Weinberg Career Academy in Hillside and 1 day a week at an offsite warehouse company, totalling 4 days of training per week.
Onsite Days
For onsite days, trainees will spend part of the day building foundational skills through lessons and interactive activities and another part will be spent building physical stamina and familiarity through working in Aspire’s state-of-the-art warehouse.
Offsite Day
For the offsite day, trainees will gain hands-on job experience through job shadowing, safety seminars, and networking opportunities at real distribution centers from our partner companies.
After successfully completing the program, trainees will transition into an 8-week paid internship within the distribution industry, with a job coach provided for the first two weeks to ensure success!
“I love my new job”
Meet Grace! A charismatic adult that works for Canteen inside Bank of America Chicago. Grace works a full time job and is known for her funny personality and amazing work ethic!
For Trainees
Who Would Be a Good Fit?
Trainees Who:
- Want a job but have been struggling to find the right fit.
- Excel at following repeatable and standardized processes.
- Like hands-on tasks that keep them active and engaged.
- Like to challenge themselves.
- Enjoy physical activity.
- Like to be a part of a team.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Has a documented disability.
- Desire to work at least 20 hours per week upon graduation.
- A high school diploma is NOT required!
In other words, trainees participating in transition programs can join this training as part of their schooling.
Building Soft Skills
Building Soft Skills
Developing and strengthening skills like communication and resume writing.
Simulated Work Environment
Gaining hands-on work experience and knowledge in our simulated warehouse environment.
Guaranteed Internship
After successfully completing the program, trainees will enter a guaranteed 8-week paid internship.
Improving Fitness
Increasing physical fitness and movement to build stamina for job related tasks.
Typical Day Schedule for Trainees:
10:00 – 10:45: Exercise (walking, weightlifting)
10:45 – 11:45: Soft Skills Training (communication, resume writing, workshops, etc.)
11:45 – 12:00: Break
12:00 – 1:00: Distribution Tasks (packing orders, order assembly, kitting, receiving, etc.)
1:00 – 1:45: Lunch
1:45 – 2:00: Exercise (stretches, walking)
2:00 – 3:45: Distribution Tasks (packing orders, order assembly, kitting, receiving, etc.)
3:45 – 4:00: Wrap-up and Preview of Next Day
For Employers
Inclusive hiring benefits everyone! By adopting inclusive hiring practices and working with Aspire to employ people with disabilities, you will play an active role in helping to create an inclusive future for everyone.
Employer Benefits
By partnering with Aspire in this Employment Training Program, you will have a preview to a pool of talent that is often overlooked and underemployed by hosting onsite experiences for our trainees.
Working alongside Aspire, we will assist in the development of your team’s disability inclusion acumen through provided training programs.
To help address and reverse the talent challenge within the distribution industry, following the successful completion of the training program, you will have the ability to launch into our trainee talent pool by hiring them as interns for an 8-week period.
Businesses that lead with inclusive hiring practices and employ people with disabilities often see:
50%
Increase in employee retention by 50%
25%
25% higher levels of productivity.
33%
Reduction in safety incidents by 33%.
100%
100% more inclusive culture.
Join these industry leading companies in partnering with Aspire to create a more inclusive future for everyone:
Find out more.
If you would like more information or have any questions, please fill out this form. Our team would love to hear from you and will be happy to provide you with assistance!
You can also call us at (320) 4-Aspire or (320) 427-7473 or email us at ambassador@aspirechicago.com.
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