HR FORUM

This month we will have representatives from BCI and Pathfinders to share thier workforce programs and answer questions about how they can work with employers to utilize this resource. Descriptions below:

BCI Skills Center:

People with disabilities can accomplish amazingthings—and careers are no exception. That is why BCI established the SkillsCenter, a first-of-its-kind vocational training facility for people withdisabilities in St. Charles, St. Louis, and surrounding counties. Upongraduation from the Skills Center, students move directly into the competitiveworkforce where they work alongside non-disabled individuals, earning the sameopportunities, responsibilities, benefits, and pay. The BCI Skills Center isbased upon a unique model. We partner with local companies who share our beliefthat people with disabilities can contribute meaningfully to productivebusiness organizations. With each new partner comes a new vocational programand a new path to competitive employment for people with disabilities.Simultaneously, each new business partner gains a pipeline of well trained,qualified, dedicated employees.

Warren County Pathfinders:

Research shows that nearly two-thirds of Americans withdisabilities want to work, yet only a third participate in the labor force. Agap in employment opportunities and labor participation has long existedbetween those living with disabilities and those without disabilities.Pathfinders believes that people with disabilities can and should be includedin everyday life, including work, which has led to our growing interest inclosing this gap. Pathfinders recognizes that meaningful employment is defineddifferently for everyone. In addition, we believe in providing informed choiceand see it as a key factor in supporting someone with finding the best workingenvironment that fits their needs and desires. Our goal is to provide thesupports and opportunities needed for any individual who wants to work,wherever they want to work, and to help them develop their full potential.Supported Employment is defined as competitive employment in an integratedsetting or employment in integrated work settings in which individuals areworking toward competitive employment. Pathfinders is committed to supportingall individuals with having the opportunity to seek competitive employment andbeing a part of their community’s workforce.