Canadian Association for Supported Employment

Manuel: Stacking Up a Career in Manufacturing. Facilitated by March of Dimes. Logos: March of Dimes, ODEN MentorAbility Canada, the Canadian Association for Supported Employment and the Government of Canada.

This MentorAbility Experience helped Manuel better understand the inner workings of the manufacturing and warehousing industry as well as the types of roles he could pursue in the future.

Manuel* came to the MentorAbility program through March of Dimes Ontario after finishing high school. With no work experience and unsure about his future, Manuel worked with his career counselor at March of Dimes to explore potential employment opportunities before settling on the manufacturing and warehousing sector. 

We paired Manuel with a local company known for its commitment to mentoring job seekers experiencing disabilities. Manuel toured the company’s warehouse, observed their production lines, and asked questions with the support of his mentor, Ian. This MentorAbility Experience helped Manuel better understand the inner workings of the manufacturing and warehousing industry as well as the types of roles he could pursue in the future. 

What began as a mentorship turned into a life-changing career opportunity, however, when Manuel prepared his application and applied for a position within the warehouse. Ian’s guidance and the company’s supportive environment played a huge role in helping Manuel feel prepared and confident about taking this next step toward employment. 

Manuel was hired shortly after applying and is now thriving in his role at the warehouse. Not only that, but thanks to his hard work and enthusiasm, Manuel was given extra hours and is on track to transition to a full-time position. 

Manuel encourages other job seekers to explore mentorship opportunities, highlighting how they can provide valuable experiences, build confidence, and open doors to new possibilities. Way to go Manuel. Congratulations on the new job! 

*For confidentiality purposes, we have used the names “Manuel” and “Ian” to share this story.