Nautical prides itself on being a sustainable company on all fronts. From staffing to product manufacturing, it is ingrained in our culture to be as socially and environmentally conscious as possible. Partnering with Down Syndrome Innovations, a Kansas nonprofit organization that serves people with Down syndrome of all ages, helped us deepen our efforts when we welcomed young adults with Down syndrome into our fulfillment center for our Youth Apprenticeship Program. This registered apprenticeship through the state of Kansas is not only a first for us, but it’s also a first for Down Syndrome Innovations.
Apprenticeship Program Breakdown
Earlier this year, all levels of our organization welcomed 21 adults with Down syndrome into our Kansas City-based warehouse, so they could gain real-life employment experience. Made possible by the Kansas Department of Commerce and IWSI America, the apprenticeship was an idea that came to fruition through a partnership between Down Syndrome Innovations and our leadership at Nautical. Our shared goal was to create a solution that helped address two specific needs: providing employment opportunities to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have career aspirations and a desire to work, while also addressing a nationwide shortage of skilled workers.
The apprentices were integrated into the industrial work Nautical does every day. They not only gained hands-on experience and skills that can transfer to other industries, but they also learned the intangibles of being a part of the workforce like contributing to a team and company culture. Some of the tasks they accomplished during their shifts:
- Depacking & Packing
- Product Kitting
- Assembly & Labeling
Want to hear more about the experience? Check out this video:
Interview With Down Syndrome Innovations
I sat down with Amanda Myers, CESP, Employment Coordinator from Down Syndrome Innovations, to hear more about her experience with the apprenticeship. Amanda runs the Employment Program at Down Syndrome Innovations and worked directly with our team at every phase of the apprenticeship.
What Were You and The Organization Most Excited About Prior to the Apprenticeship?
“Down Syndrome Innovations was really excited about this opportunity because the apprenticeship allowed us to prepare individuals for employment and really get them ready and set up for success.”
Why is practical job experience so crucial for self-advocates (term used to refer to person with Down syndrome)?
“On-the-job work experience is really important; each individual gets to learn hands-on. It’s not just skills in a classroom—they are actually working at a job and learning all of those transferable skills in the actual setting and in the job environment.”
What unique perspective or skills do you believe self-advocates bring to the workplace?
“I think the unique skills and perspectives that adults with diverse abilities have are that they’re so motivated. They’re willing to work; they show up on time; they follow the rules and do their job; and they have so many skills and abilities, like the rest of us. They have so much to offer and I think they really fill a need that we have right now, since everywhere is really short-staffed and searching for people who are ready to work and willing to work.”
How does this apprenticeship align with Down Syndrome Innovations’ mission and goals for the future?
“Our mission at Down Syndrome Innovations is to provide life-changing support and services that enable people with Down syndrome to live to their fullest potential. We support individuals every step of the way. We also serve as the expert resource and lead community mobilizer, sharing knowledge and creating solutions for people with Down syndrome. A major focus of ours is to partner with families and make sure that together, we’re preparing individuals for a fulfilling adulthood with opportunities to live as independently as possible with career opportunities, a social life, and as contributing members of society.”
“The apprenticeship program directly aligns with Nautical’s goals for the future. We really pride ourselves in creating diverse workforce opportunities for people who may otherwise have been overlooked. Again, conventional wisdom sometimes suggests that these things are too hard to do or too expensive—and the truth is the opposite. And quite often, it’s easier to set up and create. And then the outcomes often far exceed what we see working with conventional labor sources.”
Impact of the Apprenticeship Program
Our apprenticeship has quickly gained attention from the local, regional and national community. Nautical and Down Syndrome Innovations were invited to discuss our partnership at an Employment Luncheon Roundtable with Kansas State Representatives and other regional officials, as well as the Kansas National Apprenticeship Week Summit to highlight the successes from our apprenticeship as we positioned individuals with IDD for career opportunities and employment equity.
Together, we hope that our apprenticeship inspires businesses to be more open-minded when it comes to employment in the future. The feedback we received is that we are paving the way!
