Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 3, March 22, 2024
A. In order to successfully complete the Vending Facility Training Program, the client must possess the following basic skills:
1. Sufficient communication (verbal & reading) skills to complete the classroom work, outside reading assignments and the operation of a vending facility.
2. Basic mathematical skills necessary to make change, take inventory and to calculate costs, profits, markups and percentages.
3. The ability to distinguish between various denominations of coins and currency.
4. Adequate home management skills to complete cleanup chores and the organization and location of stock.
5. Sufficient home maintenance skills to provide routine preventative maintenance to vending facility equipment.
6. The self-confidence, self-assurance and public relations skills necessary to deal with the public.
7. Adequate mobility skills to allow for independent travel to and from a vending facility.
B. Prior to acceptance into the Vending Facility Training Program a client:
1. Must be evaluated at the Ellen Beach Mack Rehabilitation Center to determine their current skill levels in the above areas, and to insure that they have adequate skills for independent living. In those areas where a candidate is found to be deficient, a training plan with instruction in those areas must be satisfactorily completed prior to acceptance into the Vending Stand Training Program.
2. Must have an approved Individual Evaluation Plan for the Vending Stand Training Program.
3. Must have the written approval of the BEP Director following his or her review of the case records and an interview with the candidate.
4. Will sign the Blind Vendor Trainee Agreement (Exhibit 7) which specifies that they understand that the successful completion of the program and the receiving of a license will in no way be considered a guarantee of placement in a vending facility. Such placement is subject to the availability of a vending facility whose location and size are compatible with the client's desires and abilities. All selections of Blind Licensed Vendors are made by the bidding process.
5. An individual who is in training applying for or operating a vending facility must be verified as being legally blind and sign a statement that will read; "I agree not to operate a motor vehicle to and from a vending facility while in training or working at such a location.
C. The Vending Facility Training Program includes 2 months of classroom work and 2 months of on the job training in vending facilities. After three (3) weeks of classroom training, the on-the-job training will include one (1) week in a small facility and one (1) week in a vending facility. Upon the completion of another five (5) weeks of classroom training the student will complete his or her on the job training with an additional six (6) weeks of work. The classroom work will include the following:
1. Introduction to the BEP.
2. Merchandising Concepts.
3. Customer Service Concepts.
4. Financial Management Concepts.
5. Employee/Employer Relationships.
6. Health, Sanitation and Safety Concepts.
7. On-the-Job Training Elements.
Throughout the training program the student is given outside reading assignments, lectures on salesmanship, public relations, personal attitudes, and the importance of personal hygiene and appearance. The student is thoroughly briefed on the vending facility rules and regulations. Upon successful completion of the classroom training, the student begins the on-the-job training experience in an actual vending facility. The student will gain experience in both small and large vending facilities. The student will be under the supervision of the Blind Licensed Vendor and the BEP Trainer. The ServSafe course and test will not be used to determine licensing of an individual. Test scores should be given to the individual and the areas of deficiency noted. Test results should be put into a form by which the student can read (ex. Braille, large print or tape).
D. In those cases where a client has been licensed in another state, he or she will be evaluated at the Ellen Beach Mack Rehabilitation Center to demonstrate competency in the vending facility skills prior to being licensed by this Agency.
E. Upon the successful completion of the Vending Facility Training Program the client will be licensed by the Agency as qualified to operate a vending facility (Exhibit 8) and will sign a certificate stating that he or she understands the rules and regulation of the program (Exhibit 9).
F. Blind Licensed Vendors already participating in the BEP will be afforded the opportunity to acquire additional information for the purpose of upward mobility through the following avenues:
1. Regional meeting to be held periodically throughout the state for each respective region which will be conducted by the BEP Counselor responsible for that region. Guest speakers may participate in these meetings discussing subjects which will help to improve individual Blind Licensed Vendors job performance.
2. The Blind Licensed Vendors Annual Meeting will be held at the South Carolina Commission for the Blind Columbia Facility. Attendance will be required by all Blind Licensed Vendors and an attendance record will be kept for each annual meeting. This record will be kept on file in the BEP Director's office in Columbia. Credit for this annual meeting attendance will be awarded two (2) points under the BEP Selection Criteria. The South Carolina Commission for the Blind will allocate funds to provide lunch for this meeting.
3. An evaluation of a Blind Licensed Vendor's facility can be conducted by the Commission for the Blind at which time a member of the staff or a neutral party operates the facility to determine areas in which the Blind Licensed Vendor needs additional assistance. The BEP Counselor will be required to work with the Blind Licensed Vendor to improve any skills needed for advancement or promotion.
4. BEP Counselors are required to work with each Blind Licensed Vendor on an individual basis to improve merchandising skills, increase knowledge of inventory, stock control and stock rotation, improve customer service and improve operations and equipment maintenance. This individualized training should enable Blind Licensed Vendors to move upward to a more difficult or demanding vending facility.
5. Blind Licensed Vendors may attend the Rehabilitation Center for evaluation or for the acquisition of additional skills.
6. Programs for Blind Licensed Vendors may be aired through the Commission's closed circuit radio program to acquaint them with the new procedures and new business techniques.
G. If a Blind Licensed Vendor has been inactive for a period of three (3) years or more, the local BEP Counselor will be required to evaluate the Blind Licensed Vendor through the administration of a standardized evaluation test. When deficiencies are found as a result of the standardized evaluation test, a refresher course will be required. The BEP Counselor will submit a summary of the evaluation to the BEP Trainer and the VR Counselor.
(Special Note: The BEP Counselors, BEP Director and the BEP Vendors Committee will develop a standardized test to be approved by the Commissioner.)
