BCI Skills Center Launches Partnership with Natoli

The BCI Skills Center—a vocational training facility for adults with disabilities that partners with local businesses to create custom programs—is currently accepting students for its latest manufacturing program in partnership with Natoli Engineering in St. Charles. The first eight-week course begins March 6 and prepares students for entry-level positions with a starting salary of $16-17 per hour.

Natoli manufactures tablet compression tooling, presses and replacement parts. The firm employs 100 people at its headquarters located in Missouri Research Park.

Students will receive three hours of instructor-led vocational training Monday to Friday. Two hours will cover hard skills such as how to read blueprints, operate precision measuring equipment and use basic shop math. In the remaining hour, students will master in-demand soft skills such as effective communication with supervisors and peers, navigating change and workplace expectations. A unique feature of this particular program is that students will also begin full-time, paid employment in the second week of training.

Tuition funding is available for students residing in St. Charles and St. Louis counties. Interested individuals can apply online at https://skillscenterstl.com/apply-now.

This is the Skills Center’s fifth manufacturing program. Other programs in health care support, hospitality and warehousing are also available. Since opening in 2019, the Skills Center has facilitated competitive employment for 66 individuals. Graduates work alongside non-disabled individuals and earn the same opportunities, responsibilities, benefits and pay. Average starting wages range from $14.50 to $18 per hour. The Skills Center has an overall job placement rate of 93.9% and a job retention rate after six months of 88.2%.

For more information or to schedule a tour, call (636) 875-5251 or visit https://skillscenterstl.com/.

The Skills Center is a division of Boone Center, Inc. (BCI) and is located at 2026 Trade Center Dr. in St. Peters, Mo. All programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International. The Skills Center receives funding from the Developmental Disabilities Resource Board of St. Charles County and the Productive Living Board of St. Louis County. These public taxing entities, commonly known as Senate Bill 40 Boards, enter into funding contracts with agencies that serve individuals with developmental disabilities.