Hawker Pacific Aerospace Recognized for Partnering with ECF to Employ Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Sun Valley, CA, October 29, 2017 --(PR.com)-- Hawker Pacific Aerospace (Hawker) has earned an “Excellence in Employment Award” from the California Disability Services Association for partnering with the Exceptional Children’s Foundation (ECF) to employ adults with developmental disabilities in a number of roles at their production facility in Sun Valley, California. Hawker began a pilot program with ECF’s Exceptional Employment Solutions four years ago to train, place and support three adults with special needs on their staff. Hawker quickly benefitted from their new employees’ unique abilities, and has since hired a total of 12 adults with development disabilities from ECF.

The California Department of Developmental Services reports there are currently over 317,000 people living with developmental disabilities in the state, and their utilization of supportive services has increased more than 50% over the past 15 years. While this population is living longer and increasingly open to community participation, they face an 83% unemployment rate – undermining their chance to live as independently as possible. ECF launched Exceptional Employment Solutions to address this issue, and partners with businesses like Hawker to create pathways to employment within local industry for adults with special needs.

ECF’s Exceptional Employment Solutions also supports participants post-hire with on-the-job coaching, at no cost to employers, to ensure their successful job performance. Another benefit to employers: most businesses also qualify for a Work Opportunity Tax Credit for hiring an ECF participant. “We gain staff that are enthusiastic about work, enjoy learning new skills and are eager to contribute to Hawker’s mission,” says Nora Frausto, Human Resources Manager at Hawker. When ECF clients have expressed interest in pursuing new opportunities within the company, Frausto and Hawker management have allowed them to train with and shadow employees performing similar duties. This opportunity has resulted in one employee with special needs transitioning into a scrap metal sorter job, another being trained in 3-D printing and a third hired to as a computer data assistant.

ECF participants report feeling proud of both the work they do at Hawker, where they are paid a competitive wage that empowers them to contribute financially to their households. “While Hawker has many options for addressing their staffing needs, they have repeatedly chosen to partner with ECF – a decision that demonstrates their commitment to do well by doing good,” says Dr. Scott Bowling, President and CEO of ECF.

About the Exceptional Children’s Foundation (ECF.net)
Founded in 1946, ECF serves more than 3,700 young children, students, adults, and their families each year from 15 program sites across Los Angeles. ECF is the only organization of its kind in California, offering a full continuum of lifespan services for children and adults with developmental disabilities and other special needs.

About Hawker Pacific Aerospace (Hawker.com)
For more than half a century, Hawker has been a leading independent international maintenance, repair and overhaul provider, specializing in the maintenance of landing gears and associated hydraulic components. Since 2002, Hawker Pacific Aerospace has been a 100% owned subsidiary of the Lufthansa Technik AG. Hawker employs a workforce of approximately 350 employees. At its 207,000-square-foot facility near the Burbank Airport in California, Hawker offers FAA- and EASA-certified services and products for all major commercial and regional aircraft types.

About the California Disability Services Association (Cal-DSA.org)
CDSA has been the voice of developmental disability service providers in California for more than 40 years, representing over 80 community‐based, direct care providers that help Californians with developmental disabilities lead productive and fulfilling lives of their choosing.