Delmarva Power and its parent company, Exelon are marking a five-year partnership with The Precisionists (TPI), a Wilmington-based organization focused on employment for adults with disabilities.
This employment program uses the talents from TPI’s neurodiverse workforce to tackle critical business needs across Delmarva Power and all of Exelon’s operating companies.
In May of 2017, to support its commitment to fair and equal employment, Delmarva Power was the first Exelon business unit to join forces with TPI. The initial pilot project was comprised of four members of TPI’s neurodiverse workforce, and the partnership has grown ten-fold from there.
The neurodiverse term is used to describe individuals with conditions that include autism. The group has an 80% unemployment or underemployment rate.
News of the impact from TPI’s neurodiverse employment model spread throughout Exelon, and the partnership has steadily grown over the past five years. What began as a four-person project has grown to 40 Precisionist consultants performing multiple projects for 13 Exelon business units within its six utilities, including Delmarva Power, Atlantic City Electric, Pepco, BGE, PECO, and ComEd.
“When properly assessed and trained, people with autism and other neurodiversities are extremely high-performing employees working in critical and challenging jobs such as administrative business functions, including scanning documents and data entry, software testing, website QA, and data analytics,” said Ernie Dianastasis, CEO of The Precisionists. “We are thrilled to be on this inclusive employment journey with Exelon, the largest energy utilities provider in the country. Through our robust partnership, we are creating jobs and enabling careers for individuals whose talents might otherwise be overlooked or underutilized. I am thankful for the past five years that Exelon has committed to this partnership with The Precisionists and am excited for what the future of our collaboration will bring to the inclusive employment movement. Together our organizations are impacting countless lives by enabling opportunities for dignity and independence that meaningful employment provides.”
“The partnership with TPI has provided incredible benefits in terms of productivity, efficiency and accuracy for the data heavy projects,” said Morlon Bell-Izzard, senior vice president and chief customer officer for Pepco Holdings, which includes Delmarva Power, an Exelon Company. “Most importantly though, this partnership is helping to provide careers for individuals who otherwise have been woefully under or unemployed. Diversity, equity and inclusion at our company means bringing different perspectives and approaches to the table, and this partnership is a perfect example of the real benefits of inclusivity”
The Exelon and Precisionists’ Autism Advantage Team was recognized by Exelon at its Innovation Expo, receiving first- place for Inspiration & Ideation in the fast-pitch Shark Tank-like contest beating out more than 250 other entries. The recognition included Shark Tank’s own Daymond John.
Individuals taking part in the neurodiverse employment program at Exelon are identified, assessed, trained, and employed by TPI. Those entering the program go through a comprehensive four-week training program. While supporting Exelon’s business functions, TPI consultants also receive ongoing direction, training, and support from their TPI project leader.
