After concluding a 30-plus-year career with a single employer, Raymond Bond was uncertain about his next steps after that employer sold the business. With the combined support of NSITE and associated nonprofit agency IFB Solutions in Winston-Salem, N.C., he was able to return to meaningful work and continue contributing in a way that he shared is deeply important to him.
Raymond, a sewing machine operator, said he has deep appreciation for the support he received from both the IFB Solutions and NSITE teams throughout his recent job search. He expressed gratitude to Brent Burkholder and the IFB human resources team for being welcoming and supportive to both him and his wife, especially in assisting with their relocation from Nashville, Tennessee, to Asheville, North Carolina.
Having recently completed his first month on the job, Raymond said he is loving the work and feels energized by the opportunity to take on a new challenge in a role unlike anything he had done before. He also shared his appreciation for his on-the-job trainer, whom he described as instrumental in helping him get acclimated quickly and off to a strong start. Raymond said the quality of instruction made a meaningful difference, particularly because his trainer is also visually impaired and was able to explain concepts and tasks in ways that were practical, relatable, and tactilely relevant.
Raymond credited the NSITE Employment Services team for their consistent guidance and encouragement from his initial contact through his successful hiring. After first connecting with NSITE’s Senior Specialist, Talent Acquisition, Maurice Crittendon, Raymond worked closely with Stacey Pope, whose steady communication and encouragement helped him remain confident and grounded throughout the application and onboarding process.