Work Forward was created by The Connection Co. (TCC), a team with deep, real-world experience in workforce development, education, and disability employment services.

The program was developed by co-founders Alison Swan and Andrea Marty — both practitioners who have spent over a decade working directly with students, schools, and employment systems.

Alison Swan (MS, CRC) is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with 12+ years in disability employment services and workforce development, including developing state-approved curriculum and training programs.

Andrea Marty (M.Ed.) is a former special education teacher and transition coordinator with 12+ years of experience designing and leading school-based employment and transition programming.

Together, they bring over 25 years of combined experience creating practical, outcomes-focused programs grounded in real-world application — not theory.

Work Forward was built for youth and adults with disabilities who are preparing for employment, building workplace skills, exploring career pathways, and working toward greater independence and long-term career success.

Work Forward is fully self-paced, allowing participants to move through modules based on their schedule and needs.

Work Forward includes approximately 11–15 hours of learning content, but there’s no rigid timeline for completion.

Some VR programs use Work Forward as a pre-employment readiness resource before referring participants to job development services, while others integrate specific modules into existing employment, transition, or Pre-ETS programming.

The flexibility allows VR staff to adapt Work Forward to their program structure, participant needs, and service timelines — not the other way around.

Participants receive a certificate of completion that reflects their work and skill development — something they can share with employers, programs, or include in their employment planning.

Work Forward is designed to be easy to implement without adding extra workload.

VR staff can:

• Assign modules or lessons based on individual participant goals
• Use it during group instruction or workshops
• Incorporate it into Pre-ETS, transition services, or employment readiness programming
• Support career exploration and workplace skill development
• Track participant progress and completion

It works as a supplement to existing services or as a standalone curriculum.

No — Work Forward is designed for participants with little to no work experience, as well as those who want to strengthen their existing skills.

Many employment programs focus on career exploration and helping participants identify job interests. Work Forward goes a step further by helping individuals prepare for the realities of getting, keeping, and succeeding in a job.

Rather than focusing only on career awareness, Work Forward explicitly teaches the workplace skills, behaviors, and expectations participants need to achieve successful employment outcomes and long-term career growth.
Participants learn how to:

• Get hired
• Show up consistently and professionally
• Communicate effectively in the workplace
• Navigate challenges and workplace expectations
• Maintain employment
• Grow toward long-term career goals

Built by professionals with experience in workforce development and disability services, Work Forward provides VR programs with a structured, easy-to-implement curriculum that helps bridge the gap between career exploration and employment success.

The result: participants gain more than career knowledge — they develop the confidence, workplace habits, and practical skills needed to succeed on the job and build a meaningful career.