Registration is Now Open for the Uniquely Abled Academy (UAA) Winter 2023 Cohort
We are excited to announce that the 4th Cohort Uniquely Abled Academy (UAA) CNC Fast Track Program is starting in January 2023.
A Partnership to Create Change
The Uniquely Abled Academy (UAA) CNC Fast Track Program is a collaboration between Jay Nolan Community Services and College of the Canyons to create an innovative vocational program aimed to meet the demand of the local workforce and offer an enhanced educational environment for people who experience Autism. The UAA CNC Fast Track Program is funded by both Goodwill American Job Centers of California (AJCC) and Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) making it free to eligible candidates.
The UAA was created to improve the alarming unemployment statistics for people with disabilities. At least 35 million people with disabilities in the United States are unemployment. The UAA focuses on skills people with Autism may possess that are highly sought after in the manufacturing industry, such as repetitive movements and attention to detail.
What is the Uniquely Abled Academy (UAA) CNC Fast Track Program?
The UAA is offered in the Economic Development Department at College of the Canyons. It’s a 12-week program that teaches adults with high functioning autism to be entry level CNC machinists. Karen Navarro, Program Coordinator of UAA and Manager of Department of Rehabilitation Services at Jay Nolan Community Services aids in the recruitment and onboarding of new trainees, as well as classroom support and assistance.
The robust curriculum is the same offered to every other trainee taking the CNC Fast Track program, but the UAA has offered additional support of a coordinator and lab assistant to help with one-to-one needs that might arise. The training program also includes 40 hours of soft skills training including the following, but not limited to dependability, effective communication, teamwork, adaptability, willingness to learn and problem-solving skills. Each trainee will also receive support to write a cover letter and resume to take with them after the training program. In 2022, 8 out of 10 trainees received job offers within 2 weeks of graduation.
How to Register for the Upcoming Cohort
The next Uniquely Abled Academy (UAA) CNC Fast Track Program will begin January 23, 2023 to April 21, 2023. Please join the UAA team at any of the 3 upcoming Open House at College of the Canyons, University Center, Room UCEN 107 (26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd. Santa Clarita, Ca. 91355). Attending an Open House is required for participants.
Download the Flyer:
Register to attend one of our required Open House Sessions for Cohort #4:
- Tuesday, October 24, 2022 6pm: https://tinyurl.com/UAA-OCT25
- Tuesday, November 15, 2022 6pm: https://tinyurl.com/UAA-NOV15
- Tuesday, December 13, 2022 6pm: https://tinyurl.com/UAA-DEC1322
For more information, please visit the following links:
Highlights of our CNC training program: https://tinyurl.com/UAA-Trilogy
Inside preview of the CNC making world: http://tinyurl.com/Autism-Meets-CNC
Sample tests for entry into the training program: https://tinyurl.com/Online-Practice-Tests
For more information, please reach out to Karen Navarro, Employment Manager of DOR services at Jay Nolan Community Services at 818-489-9805 or knavarro@jaynolan.org.
