Alpine School District's printing services department is building workforce skills and confidence for local students through a partnership with specialized post-high school programs, according to a September 23 statement.
Every semester, the department works with the Alpine Transition and Education Center (ATEC) and the Timpanogos Transition and Education Center (TTEC) to provide students with consistent work routines and real-world experience.
Students from both programs spend a couple of hours each day, Monday through Thursday, working at the facility. ATEC students attend during the morning shift, while a TTEC crew works in the early afternoon. Working alongside district print technicians and job coaches, students perform tasks such as collating, packaging materials, preparing items for district mail, and coil binding books.
Printing services employee Katie Potter noted that coiling is a primary task for the students. She stated that the students can fill two to three carts of finished books a day, sometimes producing 400 to 500 books in a single day.
Printing Services Supervisor Jake McDonald said the students are an important part of the team and help with everyday tasks in the department. He noted that the program helps students build confidence, learn new skills, and improve communication by providing hands-on experiences.
The printing services opportunity is part of a broader job skills initiative designed by ATEC and TTEC to prepare young adults with special needs for post-school life. In addition to the printing department, students rotate through supervised work sites in the local community, including Smith’s, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and the Orem Recreation Center. These rotations are intended to teach students how to navigate community environments, interact with teammates, and practice workforce expectations such as focus, endurance, and taking breaks.
The program aims to create a supportive environment where students feel valued. One student, Tannika, shared that the structured environment helps her focus and manage anxiety by providing meaningful work. Another student, Kai, described the environment as a work family.
