Boone Center, Inc. (BCI) has joined forces with Emerson, Watlow Electric Manufacturing Co., and the Wentzville School District to establish three new vocational training programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These programs provide participants essential skills and hands-on experience for competitive careers in high-demand fields.
The Emerson and Watlow programs are part of the Skills Center’s manufacturing curriculum. Emerson students will train to work as shop assistants at the company’s engineering facility on its Ferguson campus in St. Louis County. They will learn to build kits, stock lines, pack materials, and prepare shipments. The starting salary following graduation is $16 to $17 per hour, depending on the shift.
Students in the Watlow program will train to work as operators at the company’s Maryland Heights location in St. Louis County. They will learn to use an electronic sewing machine, sew by hand, read schematics and drawings, and cut materials using a laser cutter. The starting salary following graduation is $18 per hour.
The Wentzville School District course marks the launch of the Skills Center’s new custodial curriculum. In this program, students will train to work as custodians across any of the district’s 21 western St. Charles County schools. They will learn to clean classrooms, restrooms, and other high-touch areas, with a starting salary following graduation of $15 per hour.
Each new program will run for four hours a day over six weeks. Participants will spend one hour daily developing essential soft skills, including communication, teamwork, workplace expectations, and personal finance. To receive a job offer, students must successfully complete the course and all other pre-hiring requirements as outlined by the employer.
The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development has accredited all Skills Center courses. Tuition is usually covered by county or state funding, and scholarships may also be available.
“We are incredibly excited to partner with these exceptional organizations to bring new opportunities to individuals eager for competitive, integrated employment,” said Matt Jannings, BCI’s Chief Employment Services Officer. “These programs are not only about filling essential roles but also making a profound difference in people’s lives—and the impact we’ve seen for the individuals and businesses is nothing short of incredible.”
The BCI Skills Center offers a dozen unique vocational training courses in custodial, health care and social assistance support, hospitality, manufacturing, and warehouse. Since its start in 2019, the organization has successfully trained and placed 110 individuals into competitive careers.
For more information about these programs or to apply, visit boonecenter.com/skills-center/programs/.
