The Arc’s Employment Preparation Program is an excellent way for Consumers to get the training they need to find…and keep a job in the community. Program participants work in groups of 6 with their Employment Trainer on the following activities:

learning to ride the bus
filling out job applications
practicing interviewing skills
computer skills
retail training
cash register
customer service
food service training
janitorial training
general office skills ( filing, sorting, faxing, answering phones)
using time clock systems
job fairs

Training is provided both on site and in the community and when the individual is ready, the job search begins! Employment Preparation Program Consumers who are hired in the community transfer over to our Supported Employment Program where they receive on the job training from their Job Coach.

The Arc's Work Activity Program (WAP) is a shelterd workshop, called Southeast Industries, which provides vocational training and counseling to adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Work is paid on a piece rate basis to package and label products for local manufacturers.

Consumers work together in cooperative groups under the direction of a Staff Supervisor to complete a wide range of jobs by the specified timetable. And while speed is important, The Arc Consumers have an excellent reputation for standards in quality and organization.

While Consumers enrolled in the Work Activity Program do not have a preset limit on how long they can work at Arc Southeast Industries, many prefer to use the experience as training for future employment in the community through the Supported Employment Program.

But the Work Activity Program is not all work and no fun! Birthdays, Holidays, and Special Occasions are a big celebration at Southeast Industries. The Work Activity Program offers a positive social environment to aid in developing social skills as well as job skills.