For immediate release

June 19, 2012

Kwantlen APPD graduates celebrate, top employers recognized at annual event

(Metro Vancouver, BC) - Earlier this month Kwantlen Polytechnic University hosted an Evening to Remember celebrating the graduation of students enrolled in the access programs for people with disabilities (APPD). The celebration not only recognizes the success of the graduates, but also Kwantlen’s partnerships with employers and community organizations.

Employers play a critical role in helping APPD students evolve in career development by providing work placement opportunities. During their placement, students are provided with on the job training that helps advance skills they would otherwise not learn in the classroom. Many employers say students discover talents they never realized they had while undertaking new tasks.

Each year APPD faculty and staff honour an Employer of the Year from each campus community for their commitment to providing APPD students with quality training opportunities. Employers selected for the 2012 awards were Dana Hospitality Inc. in Richmond, Dollar Tree in Langley and Whalley Daycare Ltd. in Surrey.

"Before we started working with APPD students from Kwantlen, my team and I had very little awareness on how to accommodate people with disabilities in our workplace," says Benji Chu, supervisor, Dana Hospitality. "We were so impressed with the students’ work-ethic, and just as they learned from us, we also learned from them to focus on ability, not disability. This was such a rewarding experience, and I would recommend it to any employer."

APPD has been running at Kwantlen since 1982, and celebrating graduates and employers at an Evening to Remember every year since 2001. The APPD program partners with over one thousand work experience employers who host students in Langley, Richmond and Surrey.

APPD programs and services provide post-secondary education for adults with various disabilities. These programs and services work together to prepare students for employment, volunteer work or further education. For more information about the APPD program please visit kwantlen.ca/aca/appd or email Barb Thomas–Bruzzese at Barbara.Thomas-Bruzzese@kwantlen.ca.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts and science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 17,500 students annually have a choice from over 200 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations.

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For more information about Kwantlen, contact:

Joanne Saunders
Director, Marketing and Communications
Tel: 604.598.6188
joanne.saunders@kwantlen.ca