The youngest of six children, Aiden is a college student who loves being outdoors, enjoys bowling and has a black belt in Taekwondo. A member Phi Theta Kappa, he currently possesses an impressive 3.9 GPA. Aiden came to employU looking to gain more work experience. Though he had previously participated in several Work Based Learning Experiences (WBLE’s), Aiden and his mother both felt that Aiden wasn’t being challenged enough in his previous experiences. Aiden wanted a chance to show his full potential in the workplace.  

As soon as Employment Specialist, Chris, met Aiden, he saw that Aiden was an intelligent, gifted young man. Aiden was scheduled for an interview with Jackie Lytton, the worksite supervisor at Citrus County Chronicle for a WBLE.  He started his WBLE at the Chronicle shortly afterward. Aiden worked as an “Administrative Support.” His main duties consisted of restocking office supplies, relocating leftover newspapers into the recycling area, and preparing mail-out flyers. 

As the weeks progressed at the Chronicle, Chris noticed a change in Aiden’s behavior. Aiden began to demonstrate more confidence and slowly started to come out of his shell.  Aiden’s work performance also left quite an impression on the staff at the Chronicle. During Chris’s routine visits to the worksite, Jackie would frequently share positive feedback and her staff’s experience when interacting with Aiden. Before Aiden could complete his work training at the Chronicle, he received another referral and requested to complete a second work training at the Chronicle. Jackie and the Chronicle staff were very excited that Aiden would have the opportunity to continue working with them.  For his second WBLE with The Chronicle, Aiden worked as a “Newspaper Sorter.” This required him to work with a team, on an assembly line and they would collect the newspapers, assemble them, and stack them into a machine, which would then automatically wrap them into a bundle. He also would routinely stock office supplies in various departments at the worksite, and relocate leftover newspapers into the recycling area. Aiden would also assist with preparing mail-out flyers and auditing and organizing files for the administrative department. 

“My team and I are so thankful that Aiden came to us. He has surpassed all expectations. We never have to worry that he won’t show up or do his list of duties. …He moves so quickly and efficiently. He’s like our little energizer bunny…He is so professional in dealing with the employees. Everyone has noticed him and has enjoyed having his energy and help with their projects,” Jackie says of Aiden. 

“My team and I are so thankful that Aiden came to us. He has surpassed all expectations. We never have to worry that he won’t show up or do his list of duties. …He moves so quickly and efficiently. He’s like our little energizer bunny…He is so professional in dealing with the employees. Everyone has noticed him and has enjoyed having his energy and help with their projects.”

But Jackie isn’t the only one who has noticed Aiden’s growth and success. Aiden’s mom, Cheri, tells us since Aiden joined employU he has progressed in such a positive way and is becoming more confident, communicative, outgoing, and independent. Cheri further states that Aiden has become more outspoken at his church’s youth group and is telling jokes to his peers. Cheri described the positive changes in Aiden’s behavior and stated that each work training has contributed to these important changes in her son’s development as a young adult. Chris explains, “The pride and joy that Cheri had while talking about her son is not something I can easily describe. One thing I did take away from speaking with Cheri was that Aiden’s family was grateful for the employU program and Aiden’s success is certainly a heartfelt experience for all those involved.”  For more information on our employment services visit https://employu.org/client-services/ or contact us using the form below.  

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As peak seasons approach, many businesses feel the crunch of trying to find skilled employees to meet the demand of their busy season. It’s a fortunate problem to have, but it’s still one that needs to be addressed and often needs to be addressed quickly. employU has a solution. On-the-Job Trainings (OJTs) are not only a way for employU clients to gain work experience and training, but it’s also a risk-free way for businesses to find help for their busy seasons or large projects when they may need an extra hand or two.

What makes OJTs risk-free? When a business partners with employU to become a host business, employU clients interview for the positions, just like any other employee would. But with On-the-Job Trainings, employU is the Employer of Record for IRS reporting. This means employU pays the wages and is responsible for the taxes and payroll associated with employU clients placed in OJTs. Furthermore, liability insurance of $1,000,000 is covered by employU and workman’s compensation insurance is covered by the State of Florida. Ongoing support is also part of On-the-Job Training. An employU Job Coach will visit the worksite on a regular basis to provide support not only to the client, but also to the host business. At each visit, the Job Coach will check in with the client’s supervisor to ensure that everything is going well and any challenges are addressed.

Capture ISG General Manager, Justin Council has found great value in On-the-Job Trainings and regularly placed employU clients to work on his Voice of the Participant (VOP) program. VOP is a highly specialized survey program that is tailored and delivered directly to Vocational Rehabilitation agencies. “By participating… in OJTs, Capture [has] benefitted in so many ways… All of our projects benefit because we have the luxury of having individuals who can lend their thoughts and ideas directly to the program managers, while also being relatable to the respondents on the other end of the phone or Video Phone,” Justin tells employU. “100% of our OJT participants have come from employU, which is why we are so grateful for our partnership… employU is the gem that every company should try to discover.”

OJTs can also serve as a pipeline that deepens the pool of skilled employees for future employment opportunities. Vice President of Compsys, Crystal saw this firsthand with employU client Hasani. Hasani completed a summer On-the-Job Training with Compsys and decided to apply for a full-time position with the company after graduating high school. He was hired, and because of the training he received from his OJT, he has been able to quickly cross-train in different departments. Crystal explains how hard it can be to find skilled employees to fill available positions in the manufacturing industry, “The hard thing with manufacturing is that there is a lack of interest in the younger generation for trades.  So, when you have someone like Hasani, who all he wants to do is work with his hands and build things, those are the types of students you really need to grab onto and foster and train. We couldn’t thank employU enough for the opportunity and for bringing Hasani to us.” 

American Electric COO David Yencarelli agrees that the demand for skilled workers is a difficult one to meet, “There is a shortage of skilled crafter workers in Northeast Florida. employU serves as a pipeline.”

employU staff is also available throughout the OJT to assist businesses in acclimating clients to their new workplace environment. “There was plenty of staff with employU that helped us along the way… They really did all the work for us. They helped with everything… All we really have to do was get their folks put to work,” Crystal explains. “I think that it’s an untapped resource. …It’s just a no brainer. It’s great for the economy. It’s great for the [clients]. It’s great for us.”

For more on how to become a host business with employU visit https://employu.org/business-partners/

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