Quick work sanding fenders landed Aaron Burks a job at Southern Customs Collision and Restoration.

The then-Red Bank High School senior was in training at the auto body shop for only a week, but owner Doug Downey knew he had to hire him.

"I was sanding a fender and Doug said, 'He got it done pretty fast. I want him on my payroll,'" Mr. Burks said. "It blew my mind. I liked that he said that."

Mr. Burks, who is mentally disabled, has since graduated from Red Bank and works full time for Mr. Downey doing car assembly and disassembly, detailing, general maintenance and, of course, sanding.

Mr. Burks is part of a group of special education students that teacher Richard Long has placed at local Red Bank businesses so they might learn basic work and life skills.

The students are not paid for their work while they're in school unless, like Mr. Burks, they are hired full time once they graduate. The students typically spend about two years in the program, he said, and can have up to about four different job placements.

The program is in its second full year, and Mr. Long said the community is starting to realize the benefit to the students and to the businesses as well.

"Some (businesses) were hesitant at first. I'd tell them these were kids with some sort of disability and it'd scare them off," he said. "But then they found out they're a lot like other kids."

Mr. Long has placed students at businesses such as Save-a-Lot, Ace Hardware, Bi-Lo and Life Care Centers of Red Bank, and he hopes to add more.

His students, most of whom will not go on to college, make connections and build resumés through the work-based learning program, he said.

"They're starting to see that, if they do a good job, these businesses might hire them," he said.

As for Mr. Downey, he says he got more than just a solid employee in Mr. Burks. He got another son.

Each day, someone from the shop picks Mr. Burks up from his home on the West Side, then takes him home after work. But that setup may not last long, because they're working with Mr. Burks to get his driver's license.

"We hope he stays with us through the long run," Mr. Downey said.

"I believe if people would take on somebody like Aaron and have some patience and spend a little time with them," he added, "they'd have a really productive employee."