Finding the right job starts with finding the right fit.
At Via, workplace assessments are an important step in the employment journey, giving individuals the opportunity to explore careers, learn new skills, and gain hands-on experience in real work environments. These experiences help individuals build confidence while allowing employment specialists to better understand each person’s strengths, interests, and workplace preferences.
Behind every successful workplace assessment is a dedicated Employment Specialist working to create opportunities. Through ongoing outreach and relationship-building with businesses throughout the Lehigh Valley, Via’s Employment Specialists develop partnerships that allow job seekers to experience a variety of work environments and career paths. These partnerships not only help individuals gain valuable experience, but also allow employers to discover the skills, talents, and potential that individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce.
For many participants, workplace assessments become the foundation for future employment success.
Stanley discovered that through a series of community-based workplace assessments. Working with Via’s employment team, he completed assessments at DSW and Brandshopper, where he explored tasks related to stocking, packaging, and retail operations. Through these hands-on experiences, Stanley demonstrated strong skills and interests in warehouse and freight-related work. The assessment process helped identify an employment path that matched his strengths, allowing his job search to focus on opportunities where he could be successful. Ultimately, those experiences helped pave the way for employment in the warehousing field.
Workplace assessments also played a significant role in Olivia’s employment journey.
In 2024, Olivia completed a workplace assessment at Weston Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, where she folded, organized, and returned laundry. Through the assessment, she demonstrated strong attention to detail and a natural aptitude for laundry-related work. The experience helped validate her interests and identify an area where she could continue developing her vocational skills.
Building on that success, Olivia participated in a paid work experience in the laundry department at Holy Family Manor. During her 90-hour placement, she gained valuable hands-on experience while continuing to strengthen her skills in a real workplace environment. After completing her paid work experience, Olivia moved into job-finding services. When a laundry position became available with Sodexo at Holy Family Manor, she was already familiar with the work, the environment, and the expectations of the role. Her preparation and confidence helped her excel during the interview process, and she was hired.
For Sydney, workplace assessments provided an opportunity to explore a long-standing passion.
Interested in working with animals, Sydney was connected by Via’s Employment Specialists with Dogtopia, where she completed a workplace assessment and working interview. The opportunity allowed Sydney to demonstrate her enthusiasm, initiative, and ability to work in an animal care environment. Just as importantly, it gave both Sydney and the employer the chance to determine whether the position would be a good fit. Impressed by her performance, Dogtopia offered Sydney a position, and she recently began her new role.
While each journey is unique, these success stories share a common theme: opportunity.
Workplace assessments allow individuals to discover their strengths, explore potential career paths, and gain valuable experience in real-world settings. At the same time, employers have the opportunity to see firsthand the talents, capabilities, and dedication that individuals with disabilities bring to the workplace.
Employment success rarely happens by chance. It happens when preparation meets opportunity.
Through strong partnerships with local businesses and the dedication of Via’s Employment Specialists, workplace assessments help create meaningful connections between job seekers and employers. Stanley explored warehouse and retail environments. Olivia discovered a talent for laundry services. Sydney turned her passion for animals into employment. While their paths were different, each journey began with the same opportunity: the chance to learn, demonstrate their abilities, and discover the right fit.
By helping individuals build confidence, gain experience, and identify careers that match their strengths, workplace assessments continue to open doors to meaningful employment and brighter futures.
