7/20/2011 10:32:00 AM
CEO's efforts bring IT job skills to those with disabilities
Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.comRaj Cherukonda, right, CEO of Wyvil
Systems in Lisle with Brian Aardsma, a mentor with SAP Business
Objects Solution Provider and Business Intelligence.
Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com
Raj Cherukonda, right, CEO of Wyvil Systems in Lisle with Brian
Aardsma, a mentor with SAP Business Objects Solution Provider and
Business Intelligence.
By Richard R. Klicki
Raj Cherukonda knows firsthand about the pain and frustration when a
family member suddenly loses the ability to be a breadwinner.
His father, an immigrant who worked hard to provide his family with
the American dream, was forced to go on disability at age 55.
Cherukonda said it was especially traumatic for his father, who was
suddenly unable to be a productive worker, provider for his family,
and giving member of the community.
When his father died two years ago, Cherukonda looked for a way to
honor his memory. As president and CEO of Wyvil Systems Inc. in Lisle,
a reseller of SAP business software, he came to realize that the
skills required to use his products were adaptable to those who were
disabled.
From that seed, Cherukonda has grown the SAP Knowledge Abilities
Network, a not-for-profit venture that provides SAP program training
for people with disabilities. Funding the project entirely from his
profits with Wyvil, he's developed partnerships with many area
business schools to provide classes and training opportunities.
The enterprise system programs created by German company SAP AG are
among the most widely used by medium and large firms, primarily
because of its ability to work within all major business functions.
It's that popularity, along with the technology's flexibility to be
used anywhere, that makes it a useful skill for those with
disabilities, Cherukonda said.
"They can be anywhere; they don't need to be physically at a building
to do this," he said.
Since he began SAP KAN, he's trained 25 people in SAP skills,
operating classes in partnership with schools such as DeVry, IIT and
Keller School of Management. In true "pay it forward" fashion, his
students are now teachers who conduct classes for others.
"We train the trainers," he said. "Our philosophy is that each one
should get up to speed on these tools, not only learning them but also
to help other people — to train them so that they get the knowledge
base and the skills that are very essential in corporate America."
Cherukonda notes that through learning the skills and in turn helping
others learn, students have improved their self-esteem and confidence,
and show a "can do" attitude that can help them find work.
One of Cherukonda's first students is Brian Aardsma, who was trained
in SAP BusinessObjects and is now one of SAP KAN's mentors. Aardsma,
who is restricted to a wheelchair, now teaches others how to use the
programs primarily through hosted webinars.
Aardsma said he always had an interest in technology and working with
the people at SAP KAN given him a feeling of worth and accomplishment.
"I've had a very positive experience," he said. "I'm happy that Raj
believes in me and it's a great thing to be a part of."
He adds that in addition to being a teacher, he is also a role model
to others with disabilities who may doubt their own abilities.
"They look at me and say 'if he can do this, then so can I,'" Aardsma said.
Aardsma and the other students are showcased at quarterly seminars
hosted by Wyvil, Cherukonda said. At these seminars, hiring managers
from various companies and educational organizations are invited to
meet the students and see what they an do.
"We use these seminars to showcase what these people are capable of
and what they've learned," he said. "If we can impress some of these
hiring managers, that's going to open up a lot of opportunities for
us."
Cherukonda said 10 percent of the Wyvil's yearly profits are directed
to the program, and at this point he does not solicit outside funding.
SAP KAN recently received its 501(c) nonprofit status, he added.
Cherukonda practices his philosophy at Wyvil as well, noting 20
percent of his staff are people with disabilities, including his key
assistants, Monica Luna, senior business development manager and Pre
Sales Manager Sue Martini.
Cherukonda spends much of his time networking with local schools,
businesses and social service organizations to make them aware of SAP
KAN, and in turn hopes to expand the partnership network to open up
more opportunities for training and employment.
His next goal is to find businesses that have a need for SAP-trained
employees and connect them to his network. Cherukonda notes he's
focusing in particular on government agencies at all levels. He notes
many of the agencies already use SAP software, and he hopes leveraging
that with federal ADA requirements will provide an edge to helping
find employment opportunities for SAP KAN students.
"The advantage is that these are government organizations and they
respect ADA," he said. "As a result, if there are some permanent jobs,
they can give us an opportunity, because we have people who know the
skills. We can say 'If you have some openings, we have some students
who are very eligible.'"
While SAP KAN provides hope and opportunities for many, its focus can
still be found in the corner of every slide of its PowerPoint
presentations, where Cherukonda has nestled a picture of his father.
"He was a great teacher," he said. "He taught us with tact and always
tried to pay a little back to the community. That's the major reason I
am so willing and passionate to help other people."
You can find more information at www.sapkan.org.
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