UNEX helps students to develop job skills, experience teamwork and even secure employment.
By Nicole Needles
FOR STUDENTS AT New Road School of Ocean County, education extends beyond the classroom walls. New Road School is a private school for students with learning, language, social, emotional or behavioral challenges aged 5 to 21. Through a forward-thinking career education program, the school has established partnerships that provide students with real-world work experiences, fostering independence and confidence. One of the most impactful collaborations is with UNEX, a leader in dynamic storage solutions. Since 2017, this partnership has allowed students to develop job skills, experience teamwork and even secure employment.
A Tailored Approach to Education
New Road School takes a personalized approach to education, tailoring programs to meet the needs of each student.
“New Road School prides itself on looking at each student as an individual and building a program around their needs,” said Vicki Grant, transitional educator at New Road School. “Our career education department prepares students for their future by implementing a variety of programs that will help guide them toward their future goals. We take into account that not everyone will follow the same path.”
Recognizing that real-world work experience is invaluable, Grant actively seeks partnerships with local businesses. This is how the connection with UNEX began.
“As the transitional educator, part of my mission is to provide work opportunities for our students,” she explained. “I reached out to Howard at UNEX, and he was open to working with us. We have had a partnership for several years.”
Howard McIlvaine, vice president of operations at UNEX, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the value of the program for both the students and his employees.
“The partnership with New Road School has been going well. Since 2017, students from the school have been coming to our facility. There are some breaks throughout the year, depending on the school schedule, but for the most part, they come in once a week. Occasionally, they have been here twice a week, depending on their student roster and who they feel would benefit from the experience.”
Hands-on Learning and Workplace Readiness
For the students at New Road School, working with UNEX is more than just a job placement – it’s a meaningful, skill building experience.
“This partnership gives our students a chance to work in a ‘real-life’ job, explore their likes, dislikes, strengths and improve their job skills,” Grant said.
By participating in actual workplace tasks, students develop problem-solving skills, responsibility and self-confidence. McIlvaine highlights the structured nature of the students’ work.
“The students primarily work on counting and assembling hardware kits. They count nuts, bolts, screws and brackets, place them in plastic bags and label them.
These kits are used for assembling our conveyor systems in the field. Interestingly, accuracy is one of the biggest challenges when asking employees to do this task. Many find it tedious and prone to error. However, students with various learning disabilities tend to excel in this area. Their attention to detail and ability to follow repetitive processes make them incredibly accurate. They enjoy the structured nature of the task, which benefits both them and us.”
McIlvaine also noted that integrating the students into UNEX’s shipping department has fostered a welcoming atmosphere.
“At this point, the program has become routine. Every Wednesday, two students come in with a coach and work in our shipping department, where they are safe and supported. The team in shipping knows them well and is always willing to help.”
Success Stories That Inspire
One of the most rewarding outcomes of the partnership has been the success stories that emerge. Grant shared a particularly inspiring example of a student who not only thrived at UNEX but transitioned into full-time employment there.
“We had a student who was ready to graduate and was interested in the possibility of working at UNEX upon graduation,” she recalled. “Howard took the time to work with me in having the student apply, interview and tour the facility. He understood the needs of this young man and hired him. He became gainfully employed as part of the UNEX team.”
While this particular employment opportunity did not work out long-term due to unforeseen challenges, McIlvaine stressed the importance of learning from these experiences.
“Unfortunately, it didn’t work out in the long run. We worked closely with the New Road School coach, the program director and his parents for about a year, but ultimately, we realized our company wasn’t the right fit for his needs. While it was disappointing, we learned a lot from the experience.”
Despite occasional challenges, the partnership has been overwhelmingly positive. “Our employees take pride in this partnership. Many of them speak highly of the program and appreciate the opportunity to contribute. It has also helped broaden their perspectives on working with individuals with disabilities. Some employees have personal connections to autism, while others have never been exposed to it before. This experience fosters understanding and empathy.”
The Road Ahead
“New Road is entering its 40th year. As a school, we have evolved with the times,” Grant said. “Our career education department is continually expanding and implementing new ideas and programs for our students to thrive as they move towards independence.”
McIlvaine believes the continued success of the partnership is due to several key factors.
“One major factor is proximity – we’re only two blocks away from New Road School, which makes it easy for them to integrate us into their schedule. But more importantly, they keep coming back. They’ve wanted to continue this partnership for the past eight years, which tells me they see value in it.”
For partnerships like the one with UNEX, the future is bright. With a shared commitment to preparing students for success, both organizations are making a lasting impact.
“At the end of the day, we continue this partnership because it’s the right thing to do. It’s good for the students, good for our employees and good for the broader community. And as long as New Road School wants to keep working with us, we’re happy to keep the program going,” McIlvaine said.
Keys to Success
If you’re interested in your business getting involved in a partnership similar to the one between UNEX and New Road School, or in the same vein as mentorship and student education, McIlvaine mentioned a few important points to consider to ensure your company has the time, staff and resources to help everyone involved flourish. These points are also what have made this partnership successful:
- Understanding the Company’s Capacity: Finding a balance between inclusivity and operational efficiency is crucial. UNEX keeps the students in non-hazardous environments, ensuring a safe and productive experience.
- Having a Designated Advocate: Someone within the company must be committed to overseeing the program, handling any issues that arise and ensuring smooth integration.
- Being Realistic About Fit: Not every company or department may be suited for this type of program. Experimentation and adjustments are necessary to find the best roles for students.
