Job Training Program

Trev’s Trades is one mom’s effort to provide a work opportunity for her son who is limited in his ability to work independently. 

 

Trevor thrives with project-based learning so Trev's Trades helps to increase his job skills and further his education. Following Trevor’s interests and capitalizing on his attraction to soaping, we began to incorporate academic skills into making soaps. After several months of developing and implementing steps, the idea formed to expand Trevor’s interest in soaping to develop his job skills. 

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This work transition program gives Trevor a place to develop skills and contribute to a real-world product. He is instrumental in brainstorming ideas for soap, researching recipes, and planning out the steps necessary to make an actual product: reading, researching, measuring, managing a project timeline, working with molds and tools, assembling, packaging, and sales. Trevor gets to see how a business runs and plays an integral part in all stages of operation.

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The repetitive process of making soap teaches Trevor real-life job skills that ultimately could increase his independence. Already Trev’s Trades has boosted his self-confidence and exposed him to the world of business. The program incorporates behavior supports, functional academic skills, mobility training, life skills, employment skills, community engagement, self-advocacy, and independence. It grew out of Trevor’s educational needs. 

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He uses a scale to measure soap ingredients in both grams and ounces. He measures the weight of each finished bar to ensure the label is accurate. He understands Fahrenheit and Celsius as he measures soap temperatures in the soap-making process. Trevor reads soap recipes, directions, soap orders, emails, labels, notes, and social media posts. He writes his daily schedule, thank you notes, and emails. He operates the shrink wrap system for packaging and sealing each bar of soap. He searches the Internet to find soap techniques and recipes. He watches soaping videos on YouTube and he navigates multiple websites to find and purchase necessary soaping supplies. 

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In a nutshell, Trevor has gained skills in project planning, problem-solving, flexibility, financial literacy, budgeting, time cards, and more. 

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Trevor will always need support. His complex disabilities pose significant challenges to finding meaningful employment in a traditional work environment. Most people with disabilities like Trevor’s end up in one bedroom with a television or an iPad and that becomes their world. Trev’s Trades gives Trevor meaningful work while accommodating his complex needs. 

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