Supported
Employment Part Of Medtronic Culture
by Karen Quammen and Michael Valencia
As Developmental Disabilities
Awareness Month arrives, Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis,
reflects on its supported employment initiatives that have been a
part of its culture here in the Twin Cities dating as far back as
the late 1980’s.
Supported employment provides
opportunities to individuals who may not be able to work independently
the chance to work in the community by putting support systems in
place to provide a successful work experience. In 1988, Minnesota
was one of seven states selected to participate in a White House
forum titled “The Corporate Community Supported
Employment Initiative.” Medtronic enthusiastically became one
of the ten corporate representatives from Minnesota. This forum was
an opportunity for local businesses to share experiences of how their
companies had benefited from a supported employment partnership with
local vocational rehabilitation agencies. At that time, Medtronic
formed a partnership with Rise, Inc., a non-profit organization that
supports individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment.
Supported employment continues to have a positive impact in many companies
today including Medtronic because it still makes good business sense.
Medtronic understands that the number of potential employees from this
population remains largely untapped. Medtronic continues to build relationships
with organizations like Rise Inc., which has provided co-worker training
sessions, including general disability awareness training and etiquette,
and also provides on site job coaches for supported employees at Medtronic
Twin Cities locations. The relationship between Rise Inc. and Medtronic
is not only mutually beneficial to the organizations, but it also benefits
the community of people with disabilities. Employees hired at Medtronic
through Rise have become long-term, valued and productive employees.
Medtronic’s catering vendor, Bon Appetit, a subsidiary of Compass
NAD, has developed an excellent partnership with Opportunity Partners.
Opportunity Partners is a non-profit organization that plays a vital
role in the lives of adults with disabilities and other significant
barriers by facilitating employment, residential care and personal
enrichment opportunities. Opportunity Partners facilitated supported
employment for twenty individuals in many Medtronic locations through
out the Twin Cities Leslie Simmonds, Bon Appetit General Manager
for Medtronic’s Twin Cities locations said “It’s
about social responsibility and expanding our diversity goals as
a company; it’s about walking the talk.” Simmonds saw
this as a great opportunity to expand relationships within the
Medtronic and the Minnesota community by providing successful employment
situations in Medtronic food service operations.
Opportunity Partners staff
met on site to gain an understanding of Bon Appetit’s business needs and then provided both job coaches
and skilled employees to fill very critical positions for Bon Appetit.
Simmonds commented, “You can always count on these individuals
to be here and get the job done. We want Opportunity Partners to be
here and they want to be here. It’s a win –win for everyone
involved.”
Tom Butler, District Manager
for the Midwest Region of Bon Appetit, said, “There is a business case for diversity and our company
philosophy is one that is encompassing of all.” Simmonds noted
that he could not be happier with the success of this partnership
and that it is one of the best decisions they made for the Midwest
Region.
Everyone benefits by reaching out to the untapped labor pool of individuals
with disabilities. Bon Appetit has opened food service operations at
Medtronic Sofamor Danek, located in Memphis. They are looking forward
to building similar partnerships in Tennessee.
Medtronic, Inc., headquartered
in Minneapolis, is the leading medical technology company, providing
lifelong solutions for people with chronic disease. Medtronic’s
Internet address is www.medtronic.com.
