Student with Disabilities

EQUAL ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Tech Training for
Individuals with Disabilities

There are 240,000 people under the age of 65 with disabilities in the LA Basin.¹ While job seekers with disabilities offer unique experiences, skills, and abilities that benefit employers, their unemployment rate is more than three times higher than people without disabilities. The LA Basin Workforce Network (LABWN) is working to change this, with one of the nation’s most innovative training programs. Partnering with local manufacturers and community colleges, we’re helping train people with disabilities, targeting Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), to meet the growing demand for hard-to-fill positions that require specialized skills

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

4.8%

of the LA Basin’s workforce includes people with disabilities¹

13.5%

unemployment rate for people with disabilities in LA County²

186,000+

people in LA County have disabilities¹

DEMAND FOR JOB SEEKERS WITH DISABILITIES

The LA Basin has a thriving manufacturing industry, with an increasing unmet demand for highly skilled employees.
To meet a specific need within this industry, LABWN connects individuals with disabilities to an innovative training program that equips them with the specialized skills to become Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machinists.* First launched by Verdugo Workforce Development Board, in partnership with Glendale Community College, Department of Rehabilitation, and Lanterman Regional Center, the academy-style training for this program has an 88% success rate. The program is now also being offered by the South Bay Workforce Investment Board and SELACO Workforce Development Board.

*The CNC Machinist Academy is funded by the California Workforce Development Board.

SIMPLIFIED ENROLLMENT

We’ve made it easy for job seekers with disabilities to enroll in the program, with a simplified application form and minimal paperwork to complete. This universal application allows for students to be co-enrolled with multiple programs to meet their needs, without having to complete additional paperwork. Dedicated case managers are also on hand to guide job seekers through this enrollment and application process, and help them successfully complete their training.

WORK READY

Participants receive on-the-job training, coaching, and mentoring to help them prepare for the workplace. Manufacturers regularly invite participates to their job sites, and interact with job seekers they’ll be hiring. This provides participants with a level of familiarity to make the workplace transition smoother.

JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE

Each participant works one-on-one with a dedicated job developer to find and apply to the right position. Employers also come to training classrooms to answer student questions, talk about available jobs, and conduct onsite job interviews — making the hiring process even easier. To date, 88% of Verdugo’s program participants are now employed in the field.

SUPPORT SERVICES

For additional support outside the training environment, participants have access to America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC) staff who are specially trained to assist and support job seekers with disabilities, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Tutors, job coaches, and in-class aides and counselors are provided to ensure that students successfully complete their technical training.

SHARING THEIR SUCCESS

“Every aspect of the CNC Machinist Academy training program, from the application process to the hands-on learning and employer interaction, is geared for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders to increase their success.”

— Jan S.
Dean, Workforce Development
Glendale Community College

To learn more about training programs for individuals with disabilities,
call (818) 409-0476

1. City of Los Angeles Department on Disability. Fiscal Year 2019-20. November 16, 2018.
2. Annual Unemployment of Disabled Persons in Los Angeles County.