Overview

The Arc Institute is a trade school certified by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development since 2001. Under the umbrella of the Arc Institute, The Arc Mercer offers the Pre-Vocational Training Program: a partnership with local Boards of Education providing a combination of traditional academics and community based vocational experiences designed to fully prepare students for life after high school.

The Pre-Vocational Training Program prepares students between the ages of 14-17 for employment through a combination of classroom trainings, work experiences and paid employment opportunities. Throughout the school day, students will receive a half-day of academics by qualified district teachers and a half-day of pre-vocational training from experienced instructors employed by The Arc Mercer. The instructors at The Arc coordinate with the district’s special education teachers to ensure a continuum of instruction, reinforcing academic skills learned through their practical application in the workplace.

Overview of Pre-Vocational Training Program

During the first eight weeks of school, students are assisted in identifying their vocational interests through a combination of vocational assessments and job shadowing experiences.
After completing individual career assessments and a week of practical experience in each of the six vocational curriculums, students make an informed choice to determine their track of interest.

Week 1: Career Exploration and Vocational Interest Assessment:

Students are assisted in identifying their vocational interests through use of standardized vocational assessment tools. Current vocational assessment tools include but are not limited to: Vocational Decision Making Interview and Envision Your Career Assessment tools.

Week 2 - 8: Job Shadowing for offered vocational areas:

Students are given hands on experience in the following vocational trainings to assist with informed decision making for future career track:

• Food Service
  
• Early Childcare and Health Services
  
• Custodial Services
  
• Landscaping Services
  
• Assembly Services (piecework)
  
• Gift Basket Assembly

On the Job Work Training

The goal of the Pre-Vocational Training Program is to offer students practical work experiences so they can make informed choices about career options. The on the job training immerses the student in a typical job site, allowing them to experience the work culture, complete expected tasks and learn appropriate social interactions with both their supervisor and co-workers. In this way, students are fully prepared to successfully enter the workforce after graduation.

After the student has chosen a designated career track based on their eight-week introduction to vocational options, he/she is connected with an appropriate job site based on their current skill level. Vocational sites are chosen based upon the demonstrated skill level of the individual student.

• Students demonstrating a need for basic skill training will be matched with a training site within an Arc facility to receive closely supervised, hands on training.

• Students who have acquired needed work skills through previous training and/or work experience will be matched with a community based job site. The Arc works with local employers to provide practical training and supervision for the student, with an emphasis on a typical work experience.

Paid Work Experiences

Students enrolled in The Pre-Vocational Training Program may be involved in paid work experiences with varying pay rates based upon their demonstrated level of skill.

For students completing work experiences within The Arc facilities, the supervisor will complete time studies and determine a fair rate of pay that corresponds with the individuals’ productivity on the job. Students employed in the community will be paid at a rate determined by the employers according to industry standards.

While The Arc Mercer strives to meet the needs of each individual student, paid work experiences in the community may be impacted by the student’s availability, employer needs and labor market. If a community job match is not successful, students may always choose to explore work experiences within Arc Mercer facilities.

Additional Services

All students attend The Arc Mercer five days per week (either in AM or PM session) and will participate in work experiences three of the five days. In addition to the specific job training received, each student participates in alternate activities that supplement their work skills training and teach additional skills needed for success in employment. These activities include:

• Weekly Computer Training - Students learn to use technology in the workplace. Using modern software, students develop resumes, refine job-searching skills, and learn effective use of the Internet and other work related activities.
• Weekly Community Experiences – Students learn basic life skills in relation to work through community experiences. Examples of planned experiences include: banking through Sovereign Bank, travel training for public transportation, budgeting money/effective shopping techniques and identification of community resources (i.e. local DVR office, municipal buildings)