Work Opportunity Center, Inc.

Work Opportunity Center, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization located in Agawam, Massachusetts, U.S.A. It has been providing developmentally disabled individuals with vocational training and employment opportunities, while supplying a dependable work force to local employers since 1969.

WOC, Inc.'s offices and training facility are located in a 15,000 square foot custom designed building. It offers a comfortable work environment in a fully air-conditioned and handicapped-accessible facility. The cafeteria and picnic grove provide pleasant surroundings for lunch. The building is surrounded by 3.4 acres of professional landscaping.

The goal of Work Opportunity Center, Inc.'s training program is to provide individuals with vocational experiences which build confidence and self esteem. The vocational skills learned often lead to competitive and independent employment.

Work Opportunity Center, Inc. provides vocational services to one hundred ten consumers. WOC, Inc has twenty-five continuously trained staff members who design and implement individualized vocational programming for consumers. WOC, Inc. provides or arranges all vocational related transportation. Currently consumers reside in the following communities:

Agawam
Chester
Chicopee
East Longmeadow
Feeding Hills
Granville
Huntington

Longmeadow
Russell
Southwick
Springfield
Westfield
West Springfield

Work Opportunity Center, Inc. offers three vocational models:

Employment and Training
Enclave
Supported Employment

Employment and Training Program:
In this program consumers report to WOC, Inc. on Suffield Street in Agawam, Massachusetts. This on-site program provides individuals with a variety of light industrial, labor intensive assembly work with the opportunity of operating light industrial machinery. Consumers in production teams of five to ten are trained, supervised and paid directly by WOC, Inc.

Teams

Consumers receive a paycheck based on their productivity which is calculated on a piece rate basis. The piece rate is determined by using a formula from the U.S. Department of Labor that takes into account prevailing wage rates and industry norms.

Enclave:
In this program, consumers report to WOC, Inc. on Suffield Street in Agawam, Massachusetts where they are assigned to off-site production teams. These teams will report to work at businesses in the community. This off-site program provides individuals with a variety of light industrial labor intensive, assembly work with the opportunity of operating light industrial machinery. Consumers in production teams of four to eight are trained, supervised and paid directly by WOC, Inc.

Assembly

Consumers receive a weekly paycheck based on their productivity which is calculated on a piece rate basis. The piece rate is determined by using a formula from the U.S. Department of Labor that takes into account prevailing wage rates and industry norms.

Supported Employment:
In this program consumers report directly to their jobs in the community or to WOC, Inc. on Suffield Street in Agawam, Massachusetts where they are then transported to their jobs in the community. WOC, Inc. provides or arranges transportation. This program provides individuals with competitive employment in the community. In this program, consumers are hired by area companies and become employees of these companies. The consumers are paid by the companies that employ them.

The Supported Employment staff performs an evaluation and vocational assessment for each participant resulting in an Ideal Job Description. An Employment Specialist from WOC, Inc. approaches area businesses to find a job for the consumer which matches her/his Ideal Job Description. A job interview is arranged with the prospective employer. When an individual is hired, the employment specialist provides vocational training, follow-up services and case management. This support is provided as needed.