NW Works program prepares high school students for employment- The Winchester Star

Seven enthusiastic local high school students - Madison, Aden, Jorden, Vanessa, Kendall, Sarah, and Andrew (from left) - radiated joy and pride as they were honored with certificates at a recent commencement ceremony at NW Works in Winchester, marking the successful completion of a four-week Pre-Employment Transition Services program. Unfortunately, Evan, another accomplished student, could not join the celebration.

WINCHESTER — In Virginia, people with physical, emotional and/or mental challenges can remain enrolled in a public school until age 21. After that, other ways must be sought for them to stay active, engaged and productive.

NW Works, a local nonprofit that offers job training and placement services for people with special needs in the Northern Shenandoah Valley, recently developed a new initiative to help its younger clients grow from students to gainfully employed adults. It’s called the Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) program and its first group of eight participants graduated from the inaugural four-week session on Thursday morning.

High school students Aden, Andrew, Jordan, Kendall, Madison, Sarah and Vanessa were presented with certificates during a special commencement ceremony attended by families, caregivers and local business representatives at NW Works’ headquarters on Shawnee Drive. (The eighth student, Evan, was unable to attend.)

The Pre-ETS program was developed by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), which worked in partnership with NW Works, Frederick County Public Schools and Warren County Public Schools to organize and administer it. [READ MORE]