Purdue News

July 30, 1999 Help on 'TAP' for Indiana's sheltered workshops WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- With increased funding from GTE Foundation, the Purdue University Technical Assistance Program will expand its aid to not-for-profit, sheltered workshops around the state. TAP received a $30,000 grant from GTE Foundation to assist more sheltered workshops with new technology assessments, environmental compliance, factory modernization, manufacturing management and product development support. In Indiana, 75 sheltered workshops teach job skills to special-needs adults by employing them to work in production, service or light manufacturing operations. These workshops employ physically and mentally handicapped adults, individuals in welfare-to-work programs, and even some people with no special needs. Typical jobs are stuffing envelopes, providing janitorial services or assembling small parts. "These sheltered workshops have the same management objectives as other manufacturers -- cost reduction and productivity," said David McKinnis, TAP associate director. "At the same time, we must take into account the physical and mental limitations of certain employees and, in turn, design procedures and standards that eliminate opportunity for injury and still allow the workshops to remain competitive." Two years ago, TAP received a $10,000 grant from GTE Foundation and began working with Gibson County Area Rehabilitation Centers Inc. to ensure that its sheltered workshop near Princeton, Ind., meets ISO 9000 quality standards, the International Standards Organization's yardstick for quality control. The Gibson County agency must conform to these standards in order to continue doing business with its customers in the automotive industry. TAP was established in 1986 to support business modernization in Indiana, and it has helped thousands of Indiana companies increase their competitiveness. A group of 40 Purdue faculty, graduate engineers and staff from three campuses work with more than 400 companies each year. TAP estimates that by supporting jobs and earnings growth, it has contributed to the state's economy with $47 million in increased capital investments, $17 million in savings, $122 million in increased sales, $31 million in loss prevention, and 3,500 saved or added jobs. GTE Foundation ranks among the country's top corporate foundations in annual contributions. This year, it will provide more than $30 million in financial support to educational and charitable organizations. With 1998 revenues of more than $25 billion, GTE is one of the world's largest telecommunications services. Source: David McKinnis, (765) 494-6258; mckinnis@ecn.purdue.edu Writer: Jeanine Smith, (765) 496-3133; jeanine_smith@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page