VOCATIONAL SERVICES

The Skills Training Center (STC) currently serves the vocational needs of 41 employees who reside at the Northern Virginia Training Center. All of our employees have a primary diagnosis of mental retardation and many have other disabilities as well. When contracting for work or placing an employee into a job, we focus on the abilities and the preferences of the individual so as to match him/her with a job in which he/she will be successful and happy. Like the general population, some employees prefer to work at the same job daily while others prefer frequent job changes.

STC staff provide individuals with the degree of support necessary for them to be able to carry out the job. For some employees, that may be just an initial demonstration and some words of encouragement. For others, it may involve physical assistance and continuous teaching. Wages to the employees are paid according to Department of Labor regulations. Jobs are paid either by the piece or a rated hourly wage. The work setting is used for teaching not only vocational skills, but a variety of other skills too. For example, a coffee break is a good time to instruct a nonspeaking individual on using a communication board to identify a preferred snack or beverage. There are frequent opportunities to learn to cooperate with or help others. Movement required to perform a job may help to increase strength or flexibility.

To serve the needs of our employees the STC seeks variety in the jobs that we offer. Below is a list of our current vocational options that are performed by our employees daily:

Bulk Mail

A wide variety of skills are needed to prepare mailings. On any given day, an employee may insert letters into envelopes, collate, staple, fold paper, apply postage stamps, affix labels, or seal envelopes. They may do this by hand or assist with operating our electronic mailing equipment. The mailing department serves a wide variety of people from our community including national associations, religious organizations, private businesses, civic groups, and even a rock band. The STC currently sends mailings for about 30 companies. Full time.

Aluminum Can Recycling

Typically a crew travels to schools and businesses in our community that support our recycling project to pick up their aluminum cans. The cans are sorted into bins, sanitized, and then crushed using either electric or manual crushers. The type of crusher used is determined by the ability and preference of the employee. Workers with severe physical limitations are often able to demonstrate their abilities using an electric crusher. Other employees find that the manual crusher gives them a more physical outlet. After the cans have been crushed the workers deliver them to the local recycling center where they are sold. Full time.

Can Collection

There are designated sites for aluminum cans throughout the campus. A crew collects these cans one afternoon a week and delivers them to the can recycling area.

Stocking Soda Machines

A crew of 3 goes to the 10 sites on campus to load sodas into the vending machines. Twice a month the crew collects money from the machines. They sort and roll the coins and take the money to the cashier for deposit. The crew works in two hour sessions 3-5 times a week.

Silverware Rolling

The food service department on campus prepares 485 meals every day of the year. Four STC employees are responsible for rolling a knife, fork, spoon, and straw inside a napkin for each one of those meals. This enclave works in cafeteria. Full time.

Ashtrays

Smoking is permitted on the campus only at designated smoking locations. A crew empties the ashtrays and keeps these areas clean. The crew services smoking areas in two hour sessions 2-3 times a week.

Xeroxing

A crew Xeroxes for the department one afternoon a week.

Flyer Delivery

We have two crews (three employees each) that hang advertising flyers on doors in our local community. Customers for this service include several pizza restaurants and a maid service. Members of these crews are full time 3-5 days a week.

George Mason University (GMU) Recycling

Four employees work at GMU where they are integrated with other workers who service GMU's recycling effort. Materials recycled include: paper; cans; glass; cardboard; plastic. Full time.

Paper Shredding

The facility identified a need to get rid of papers that were no longer needed or had been put on other mediums, but were confidential in nature. One employee works in the Human Resources office performing this task. Full time.

To obtain more information, inquire about our services, or to obtain a price list for mailing services please call the Skills Training Center at (703) 323-4073 and ask for Mohammad.