PARC teamed up with John Walker of ManageMen, Inc. to train the workers on the new standardized cleaning method that promotes worker safety and production. The cleaning method has been used in the Delta Center in Salt Lake City since 1991 and is used by other major companies nationwide.
The PARC workers were trained to work as a team consisting of four cleaning specialists with each having an individual responsibility. The areas of specialization include rest rooms; light duty work which includes dumping trash and dusting; vacuuming; and utilities which includes polishing fixtures and cleaning glass.
"Most people are not trained in a custodial position," said Andrea Boss, corporate communications specialist with PARC. "Now workers know exactly what they are supposed to do."
Everyone on the team cleans in the exact same way but learning to do that was not easy. The first day of training was very stressful for the trainees but by the second day they began to grasp the concepts.
When they first put the new cleaning methods into practice, PARC sent an operations manager to support the custodians until they were comfortable with their job requirements.
Now PARC receives compliments on the custodians' work from employees in the buildings they clean at HAFB.
Those employees can count on the PARC workers to clean the buildings well and efficiently noted Boss.
Eventually all of the 140 PARC clients who clean 370 buildings on HAFB will be trained in the new cleaning method.
"Working at HAFB gives them (PARC workers) health benefits and retirement plans," said Boss. "It is good work experience. We give them an opportunity to build a resume."
PARC employs 468 people with disabilities who live in Davis County. It helps many of its clients find employment in the community.
The process begins as a job coach works with a potential employer to develop a job tailored to the client's abilities and interests. Then the job coach trains the clients and works as a liaison between the employer and employee.
In the beginning, the help and training are intensive and the coach is very involved. After the employee is settled in their position, the job coach is less involved but continues to offer ongoing support when needed.
"We have a lot of positive feedback. Employers like having people with disabilities working for them," said Boss. "It promotes customer mor-ale."
The government also provides some tax benefits for businesses who hire people with disabilities noted Boss.
PARC also has a work center where people with disabilities are trained and then work on projects that have been contracted with local businesses.
Those employees are involved in production projects. One of those projects is filling plastic bags with crafting cotton swabs. Workers fill orders for 15,000 cases of those bags each year.
The center provides a structured environment where employees develop skills that will help them reach their maximum potential.
Post a Comment
