Pfizer Inc Program Providing Job Skills For Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities Draws Busine

BOSTON - May 9, 2018 - PRLog -- Businesses and education leaders came together today at Pfizer's site in Andover, MA, to learn about a unique program that prepares young adults with intellectual disabilities to enter the workforce once they reach the age of 22 and age out of school, and to discuss pathways to employment.

The program, called Learn to Work, gives high school students hands on experience in a business environment. When young adults turn age 22, they are no longer eligible for financial support from the state. Today, Pfizer announced it is taking the next step in this program's evolution and leading the way with a commitment to hire a number of Learn to Work students for part time positions at its Andover site.

"I am the proud father of Tyler, who is on the autism spectrum. Tyler, at the age of 26, is trying to enter the workforce and would have benefitted immensely from a program like this," said Jim Watson, Pfizer Global Supply Manager, who founded the Learn to Work program. "Giving these young adults the chance to hone skills that they can later apply in the workforce gives them a sense of gratification and fulfillment. Iwant students like Tyler to get a chance in life."

Pfizer hosted the open house to educate other businesses and schools about the Learn to Work program and invite them to work with Pfizer to develop their own. The program begins in high school, with a math, reading and writing curriculum, and is enhanced by placing students in professional settings, where the focus shifts to task-oriented skills, navigating office dynamics and fostering workplace relationships.

"Employers do not hire individuals without work experience, and the Learn to Work Program is an invaluable opportunity to provide this essential experience. The fact that Pfizer was willing to discuss our vocational program and our students' career development needs made me extremely happy and grateful. Hands-on learning experiences in a professional environment is highly important to building an effective vocational program," said Paula Westmacott, M.S., M.Ed. Vocational Coordinator and Transition Specialist at Andover High School. "Students have become more confident in themselves and are able to present their strengths in a more articulate manner than they would have without this experience."

The goal of the program is to provide students with opportunities to self-manage responsibilities and gain a sense of empowerment and self-sustainability, so that they are less reliant on adult daycare and can live independent from their parents.

"The Pfizer program fills a huge gap in existing opportunities for students with disabilities to learn life skills and experience the basics of a being an employee. Because the Pfizer program works groups of students, they learn the value of both independent work and teamwork," said Steve Wallingford of Andover whose son Nikos participated in the Learn to Work program from 2014 to 2017. "Our son now understands the pride in getting a job done. The program has helped him feel like a productive member of society. This can easily be replicated by other companies that make the same choice to serve the residents in the communities in which they reside."

The Learn to Work program launched in 2014 in collaboration with Andover High School. It has since expanded to other Pfizer offices across the country in partnership with local schools and colleges.

"We at Pfizer are proud of our work around the globe to build awareness about disabilities and the value that people with visible and non-visible disabilities bring to our business," said Rady Johnson, Pfizer's Chief Compliance and Risk Officer. "The Learn to Work program is an example of how businesses can partner with organizations to realize this value and positively impact the lives of young people with much to offer."