Partnerships With Industry (PWI) was established in 1985, to provide supported employment opportunities to adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities living in San Diego County. Since that time, PWI has opened three additional offices, strategically placed to serve the entire county, and has helped 12,500 individuals find employment and thrive in a work environment.PWI’s mission is successfully building win-win partnerships between the San Diego County community and individuals with disabilities.
PWI clients have a wide range of intellectual, developmental, and/or other disabilities; however, at PWI, we like to focus on their many ABILITIES rather than disabilities. PWI is proud to partner with over 200 local businesses.
PWI is dedicated to providing the highest quality employment opportunities, and the highest quality of job training and support to those it serves so they can find meaningful and lasting employment, and move toward maximum independence.
A 30+ Year History of Helping
Our history began in 1985, when Partnerships With Industry was one of the first organizations in California to offer its clients the choice of “supported employment” opportunities in the San Diego County community. This program was developed to help individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities become self-sufficient and self-confident members of the San Diego County community. By the end of the first decade serving North County San Diego, we had expanded our services and served over 300 persons. This decade saw the formation of Group Services with organizations such as the Army and Navy Academy and the City of Vista. They are still business partners to this day.
Since that first decade, PWI has opened offices in Central, South Bay and East County San Diego. Helping over 1,000 individuals annually, PWI works with businesses such as QUALCOMM, UC San Diego, Home Depot, Sea World, Hoehn Mercedes, San Diego Zoo, City of Coronado and Legoland.
PWI received its tenth consecutive, 3-year CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accreditation in 2019. This accreditation recognized PWI for its exceptional achievement in commitment to our clients through quality programs and safety standards.
PWI continues to grow and expand our number of clients and business partners. By helping many more clients discover their rich potential and become contributors to society, and by expanding our educational and support services, we are making lasting changes in people’s lives, one person at a time, by helping these individuals achieve their vocational dreams right here in San Diego. PWI works with a diverse population of individuals who are on the Autism Spectrum, have Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, or have a visual or hearing impairment.