MICC Careers Program proudly celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year’s theme is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.” NDEAM celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices.
“A strong workforce is the sum of many parts, and disability has always been a key part of the equation,” said Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy, Taryn M. Williams. “People with disabilities make up a wonderfully multifaceted group. By recognizing the full complexion of our community, we can ensure our efforts to achieve disability inclusion are, in fact, truly inclusive.” (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).
Employment is the principal source of such essential psychological needs as time structure, social contact, collective purpose, social identity/status, and activity and the ability to meet these needs correlates strongly with the individual’s well-being.
MICC Careers Program knows that employment is a vital piece of the puzzle to become and remain independent. More than financial freedom, employment provides a sense of purpose, social interaction, structure, and the ultimate ability to make decisions for yourself.
The Careers Program focuses on an employment-first model, ensuring participants are employed in the community and receive a competitive wage.
Participants enroll in Certificate Programs such as Culinary, Health Services, Hospitality, or Retail that are accredited by Century College and noted to have the best curriculum of its kind nationally. Our partnership with Century College has proven what we value, post-secondary education is for everyone.
MICC supports participants in finding meaningful employment aligned with their skills, interests, and preferences. When entering the workforce, participants experience a sense of belonging, personal growth, challenge, and confidence.
“A strong workforce is the sum of many parts, and disability has always been a key part of the equation,” said Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy, Taryn M. Williams. “People with disabilities make up a wonderfully multifaceted group. By recognizing the full complexion of our community, we can ensure our efforts to achieve disability inclusion are, in fact, truly inclusive.” (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).
Employment is the principal source of such essential psychological needs as time structure, social contact, collective purpose, social identity/status, and activity and the ability to meet these needs correlates strongly with the individual’s well-being.
MICC Careers Program knows that employment is a vital piece of the puzzle to become and remain independent. More than financial freedom, employment provides a sense of purpose, social interaction, structure, and the ultimate ability to make decisions for yourself.
The Careers Program focuses on an employment-first model, ensuring participants are employed in the community and receive a competitive wage.
Participants enroll in Certificate Programs such as Culinary, Health Services, Hospitality, or Retail that are accredited by Century College and noted to have the best curriculum of its kind nationally. Our partnership with Century College has proven what we value, post-secondary education is for everyone.
MICC supports participants in finding meaningful employment aligned with their skills, interests, and preferences. When entering the workforce, participants experience a sense of belonging, personal growth, challenge, and confidence.
To celebrate NDEAM, the Careers Program shines a spotlight on Wally, an MICC College Program graduate. Wally recently met with MICC Job Developers as a recruiting effort to discuss current open positions at the Walgreens he has worked at for six years. Wally shares his career path:
“Six years ago, I was a customer service associate, or CSA. They saw my potential for management. About two years later, I became a shift lead. About two years later, I became the inventory manager. This meant I was in charge of ordering product for our weekly truck and keeping track of inventory. Nearly a year later, I’m training to become an assistant manager on track for springtime.
Aside from my ASMT position, I also work in pharmacy filling prescriptions, ringing up pharmacy patients, help with their insurance, and more. I like it because it’s fast-paced. The role of the ASM is second in command.
When asked how MICC’s program prepared him for employment, Wally shared, “The internship and the retail course. My people skills have improved so much. I also have learned so much patience.”
“I can’t speak for all stores. But my store is incredibly supportive and welcoming. We’re very close knit since we’re such a small store. When one of us is gone it basically brings down the atmosphere of the store. We joke around with each other, buy each other stuff, and feel comfortable sharing personal stuff.”
“Some workplaces say ‘We’re a family’, but here, it’s actually true. Since our store is so small with only maybe 10 front-end employees total, it’s easy to chat during lulls and get acquainted with each other. Some of us even go out to dinner together on our off days. We welcome new employees, as well as keep our regulars not only happy but interact with them on a friend-like basis.”
“I was welcomed in 6 years ago and I share that same welcoming to all my coworkers. I hope that [store number] 2509 can get some dedicated employees that want to work for a small close-knit store.”
Congratulations to Wally on his employment success!
Learn more about MICC's Careers Program on their newly updated site.
“Six years ago, I was a customer service associate, or CSA. They saw my potential for management. About two years later, I became a shift lead. About two years later, I became the inventory manager. This meant I was in charge of ordering product for our weekly truck and keeping track of inventory. Nearly a year later, I’m training to become an assistant manager on track for springtime.
Aside from my ASMT position, I also work in pharmacy filling prescriptions, ringing up pharmacy patients, help with their insurance, and more. I like it because it’s fast-paced. The role of the ASM is second in command.
When asked how MICC’s program prepared him for employment, Wally shared, “The internship and the retail course. My people skills have improved so much. I also have learned so much patience.”
“I can’t speak for all stores. But my store is incredibly supportive and welcoming. We’re very close knit since we’re such a small store. When one of us is gone it basically brings down the atmosphere of the store. We joke around with each other, buy each other stuff, and feel comfortable sharing personal stuff.”
“Some workplaces say ‘We’re a family’, but here, it’s actually true. Since our store is so small with only maybe 10 front-end employees total, it’s easy to chat during lulls and get acquainted with each other. Some of us even go out to dinner together on our off days. We welcome new employees, as well as keep our regulars not only happy but interact with them on a friend-like basis.”
“I was welcomed in 6 years ago and I share that same welcoming to all my coworkers. I hope that [store number] 2509 can get some dedicated employees that want to work for a small close-knit store.”
Congratulations to Wally on his employment success!
Learn more about MICC's Careers Program on their newly updated site.
Minnesota Independence College and Community is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vocational and life skills training program for young adults with learning differences and autism spectrum disorders. Since our founding in 1996, MICC has remained dedicated to helping our students make successful transitions towards independent living and self-sufficiency. MICC is proud to be recognized as one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune.
Media inquiries can be sent to marketing@miccommunity.org.
Media inquiries can be sent to marketing@miccommunity.org.
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