Despite having completed high school and graduating from Hutchinson’s Transition Assistance Program, an extended program for students with disabilities who require additional life skills training, Brock found himself largely unprepared for the working world. Aside from some minimal farm-related volunteer experience, he had no real employment history.

What Brock did have was a great deal of interest in the automotive industry. So, in the summer of 2019, his new employment specialist gave him an opportunity to explore that industry via a program-funded, 150 hour, paid work experience with a local auto repair shop – Car Shop, Inc. While things didn’t always go perfectly, for the most part, Brock performed very well. “I had fun working at the Car Shop and I learned a lot of new things I never knew before”, said Brock.

In addition to giving Brock more insight into the auto industry, this job gave Brock the chance to earn a professional reference. That reference, coupled with his new employment history, helped him land a part-time job at the local Walmart. Today, Brock stocks shelves and does some behind the scenes work in the store. He earns $11.50/hour, something that wouldn’t have been possible for him just a few months ago. Brock is looking forward to a brighter future, thanks to the opportunity provided to him by CMJTS and an understanding employer.