AMETEK MRO Avtech Donates to Nonprofit Organization, Helping Adults with Autism Perform and Excel
AMETEK MRO Avtech donates a $5,000 grant to a local nonprofit organization, Helping Adults With Autism Perform and Excel (HAAPE). HAAPE, pronounced “Happy,” receives the grant on behalf of the AMETEK Foundation for its new project for supply-chain professionals.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, HAAPE struggled to keep its avionics training and employment program moving forward due to temporary school closures and a hiring pause at many aviation companies. As a result, the organization shifted its model from in-person meetings to virtual.
As a community partner with Broward College, HAAPE opened a new program for supply chain/logistics training that includes 100% online study courses. This new program allows students to achieve up to eight supply-chain certifications from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. These certifications are a strong value-add on the resume of any job candidate.
While avionics and aviation jobs were on hold in 2020, HAAPE was able to continue supporting young adults with autism spectrum disorder in the south Florida community. HAAPE’s efforts in moving towards education and certification provide opportunities for its students to enter the job market with sustainable, rewarding employment. So far, students have entered the aviation market as well as other markets through jobs in warehousing, pick, pull, ship, warehouse operations, inventory planning, transportation, and customer service.
Additionally, HAAPE recently worked with Amazon’s newly founded affinity group, People with Disabilities, and — through its new Autism at Work campaign — the organization was able to place job candidates directly into Amazon’s workforce. HAAPE’s gains in an otherwise complicated 2020 have allowed the organization to redouble its efforts going forward, to enhance its community involvement, and to grow its avionics program even further.
The AMETEK grant was presented to the HAAPE board of directors by Ricardo Linares, division vice president for AMETEK MRO Avtech.