In the Beginning

In 1978, local radio personality and entrepreneur Dave Scott had an idea to pursue the proposed divestiture of the Lawrence General Hospital’s vocational rehabilitation services division. One year later, in 1979, three City of Lawrence residents, Dave Scott, James G. Hajjar, and Tom Connors founded what was to become American Training, Inc.

The Early Days

From its humble beginnings in 1979 as the Lawrence Rehabilitation Services Center, Incorporated (That name sure was a mouthful. Never mind spell it, nobody could pronounce it!) to Lawrence Rehab in 1982, and finally to American Training in 1987, the company has experienced consistent strategic growth and success.

Those early days were a challenge, to say the least. For eight long years, in an old plumbing warehouse, we faced challenges beyond belief. Unanticipated expenses, unexpected capital expenditures, and a main facility that leaked every time it rained resulted in many sleepless nights and physically tiring days. In fact, those leaky roofs flooded rooms (umbrellas became a fringe benefit). Throw in regular power shortages and a stolen car every once in a while, and we were totally convinced it was time to move on to bigger and better things.

Through it all, we never stopped believing in the ability of our family of dedicated and passionate colleagues to pull together and deliver the best… very best quality of services available. More than anything else, these colleagues were committed to the belief that every guest, student, and resident had within them the potential to make more out of their lives — potential that would give meaning to each life. That belief is also what drove each of us to “Make LIFEMATTER by Bringing Out the BEST in Everyone We Touch!” In fact, it became our mission, the reason why we exist.

What began as a team of 32 dedicated professionals and $800,000 in revenue that very first year, has grown over the past three decades to over 300+ colleagues and $17 million in comprehensive services to our communities.

Taking Giant Steps

As time went on and we made our mark for reliable and effective service delivery, this one-site, one-city company expanded into a regional source of opportunities for those needing our support. With current operations at 21 sites in 12 cities and towns north of Boston, we continue to demonstrate our combined passion for the people we serve.

Over the years, American Training has become a leader in the vocational rehabilitation and technical skill training fields with recognition as a past Presidential Award Nominee through the United States Department of Labor and as the longest consecutive Contractor of the Year Award winner through the Merrimack Valley Regional Employment Board (WIB). Our activities are licensed and accredited at the national, state, and local levels in recognition of the highest quality and satisfaction that every colleague is committed to delivering each and every day.

Looking Toward Tomorrow

Today, American Training has become a quiet leader in its efforts to introduce people from all walks of life to the rewarding potential that lies within each one of us. We provide education, training, support, nursing, residential, and transportation services in a manner that insists on respect and dignity, and follows our exclusive WOW! Principles. Each program encourages every guest, student, and resident to live more meaningful lives by showing them how much their LIFEMATTERS.

With this spirit in mind, we invite you to join us in continuing to make the New American Training a fun and entertaining place in which to work, learn, and live. Whether as a colleague, guest, student, resident, or partner, now is the time to become part of our efforts to truly become “World Famous”!