employment Archives - Page 3 of 3

2016 Governor’s Awards

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Dale Rogers Training Center

The Governor’s office honors the hard work and dedication of people with disabilities in the workforce, as well as efforts by employers in fostering an inclusive environment in their respective businesses.

Congratulations to the 2016 Governor’s Disability Employment Awards of Excellence winners, including DRTC Employment Services Program participants Markus Mullin and Clay Stephens who both work at St. Ann’s Retirement Center, and to Ken Holt with Embassy Suites in Norman, Oklahoma, who received a Business Award for hiring people with disabilities.

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Denise Young, DRTC Employment Training Specialist, said in her nomination of Stephens, “His upbeat personality and willingness to work hard has really impressed the staff at St. Ann’s.”

Mullin, who also works at St. Ann’s, also received a Award of Excellence. “He anticipates what needs to be done and does it before being asked,” said Young in her nomination letter.

Embassy Suites in Norman was one of several companies receiving an award in the Business category. The hotel hires individuals through DRTC’s Employment Services department. Embassy Suites is also the business partner for Project SEARCH to provide job skills training, support and career exploration in a variety of entry level positions and internships. Project SEARCH at Embassy Suites also includes Norman Public Schools, the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and the National Center for Disability Education and Training.

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs more than 1,100 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

DRTC is in your corner

Posted on June 23, 2016 by Dale Rogers Training Center

A group of individuals in DRTC’s programs attended the 2015 United Way Campaign Kickoff.

Individuals in Dale Rogers Training Center’s (DRTC) programs are active advocates for the agency. Whether it is by attending United Way Campaign Kick Off events, going to the Capitol for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day, or just by spreading the word about the work being done at the agency, what better spokespeople to have than these!

There are plenty of opportunities to be advocates—when out on field trips with Camp Tumbleweed, at volunteer sites with Mobile Workforce, visiting work site locations with Transitions and beyond!

Chris became an Honorary Public Relations Representative for his efforts during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day.

One outstanding advocate is Chris—who participates in DRTC’s Mobile Workforce. Chris was an outspoken supporter of DRTC at this year’s Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day, speaking with Oklahoma’s lawmakers about the importance of DRTC. He even invited them to come take a tour of our campus! He did such an amazing job, we made him an Honorary Public Relations Representative!

It’s easy being an advocate:

Tell everyone you know about DRTC and the positive impact it’s making in our community
Let us know who could benefit from our services with our Advocate Edition
Interact with us on our social media accounts (and share our content so all your family and friends can see)

DRTC’s presence at various events and in the public in general sends a strong message to those in the community: We’re Oklahomans. We work. We contribute. We give back.

Assistant in training

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Dale Rogers Training Center

On a busy work floor, Natjun takes stock of his surroundings. One wrong move could lead to serious injury as he meticulously positions his pallet jack to a flat of completed projects on the Vocational Services floor at Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC).

Avoiding any injury to himself or others, Natjun moves the pallet out from the others, sets it down and then gets to work with stretch wrap to ensure the products stay together during transport.

“I’m about to wrap these boxes… and then I take the jack and what I do is put them back over there with the rest of these.”

Natjun, a senior at John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City, is taking part in the Warehouse Assistant program learning the basic operations of warehouse work.

But before he got to this point, there was a very important lesson to learn first: safety.

“That’s the first aspect we go through out in the warehouse training is emphasizing, more than anything, the need to be aware,” said Danny, DRTC Warehouse Manager, “and to know what you’re doing when you’re operating this heavy equipment and being aware of other people.”

Natjun moves a pallet in DRTC’s Vocational Services Building.

Natjun can navigate a fully stacked pallet with ease while ensuring the safety of others on the work floor and in the warehouse.

“If someone was (standing) there and I didn’t see them, I might hurt them,” added Natjun.

As part of the Warehouse Assistant program, he is also learning invaluable communication skills. Natjun and other DRTC employees deliver various products and speak with customers.

“We go out and greet people and take stuff, basically.”

He admits he was nervous at first, but now he’s settling in. Danny has noticed Natjun’s growth as well.

Danny, left, and Natjun, right, work together to move a pallet.

“Pretty much now I can set him on a project and turn around,” said Danny.

Natjun has had plenty of experience learning and working at Dale Rogers Training Center. He is part of DRTC’s Transition School-to-Work Program where students travel to various businesses, learn new skills and how to act on the job among other employability lessons.

The Transition Program is where he learned what he wants to do after high school.

“Horticulture,” Natjun said with a smile. “I love the outdoors. Outdoors is like the best thing in the world.”

Natjun will continue developing his skills at DRTC and is on track to graduate in May 2016. He’s also planning on attending this year’s Camp Tumbleweed— DRTC’s summer camp for teenagers and young adults with disabilities.

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Servicing the workforce

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Dale Rogers Training Center

Gifts aren’t just limited to what you can put under a tree this holiday season. DRTC’s Employment Services Program is helping provide the gift of employment, and with it, independence, to many people throughout Oklahoma this season.

ETS Thomasena (pictured, right) assists an Employment Services Program participant with the job search.

Employment Training Specialists (ETS) work year-round to help individuals with disabilities find and keep jobs in the community. In the last program year, the Employment Services Program helped 141 people find a new career. Of those, 107 kept their job for four or more months! Overall, those involved in the program earned more than $1.3 million in 2014-2015!

“My job gives me the opportunity to learn new things, meet new people and help the less fortunate. It gives my life purpose,” said one Employment Training program participant in an annual survey.

ETS Cathy (pictured, left) provides guidance to an Employment Services program participant.

An ETS works with the individual to match his/her capabilities and skills with job openings in the area. When a job has been accepted, the Employment Training Specialist works with the person hired to help learn the job. DRTC provides the ETS services at no cost to the employer. As the participant becomes skilled at the job, the ETS fades from the site, leaving a well-trained, reliable employee.

Employers note the success of the program. Many have said they like the support offered not only to the employee, but also to the employer.

“(DRTC’s) friendly staff were prompt about returning messages and eager to help out when needed,” said one business.

The success of the program also leads to a steady pool of workers when turnover may be an issue. 95% of employers surveyed said they would use DRTC’s services again. You can, too! Click here to learn more about DRTC’s Employment Services Program.

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Servicing the workforce

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Dale Rogers Training Center

ETS Thomasena (pictured, right) assists an Employment Services Program participant with the job search.

“My job gives me the opportunity to learn new things, meet new people and help the less fortunate. It gives my life purpose,” said one Employment Training program participant in an annual survey.

ETS Cathy (pictured, left) provides guidance to an Employment Services program participant.

Employers note the success of the program. Many have said they like the support offered not only to the employee, but also to the employer.

“(DRTC’s) friendly staff were prompt about returning messages and eager to help out when needed,” said one business.

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I’m graduating…now what?

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Dale Rogers Training Center

For those of you who are graduating this year, it is likely that you’re planning on getting a job. If you have a disability and are interested in employment, Oklahoma’s Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) can provide support to help you find and obtain a job. One type of support they offer is the Milestone Program, this program provides job coaching services where they can assist with finding jobs, filling out applications, preparing for interviews and provide on-the-job training. Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) offers this service through the Employment Services Department, but you must be authorized by your DRS counselor first.

If additional vocational training would benefit you, the DRTC in-house workforce program might be an option. This is funded through the Developmental Disabilities Services Division of DHS (DDSD), and a DRTC application is required.

For questions or information about either of these programs, or for a workshop application, please contact Ty Beasley, Transition Coordinator, at 946-4489 ext 504.

Helpful DRS link: http://www.okrehab.org/seekers/seekers-supported-emp.htm

Tag: employment

2016 Governor’s Awards

DRTC is in your corner

Assistant in training

Servicing the workforce

Servicing the workforce

I’m graduating…now what?

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