El Camino College will receive funding from a California Economic Development Department (EDD) grant awarded to the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB) to develop and provide CNC Machine Operator career development programs for people with disabilities in partnership with the Uniquely Abled Project. The $350,000 Disability Employment Accelerator grant works in partnership with El Camino College and Harbor College to provide future graduates with disabilities 100 hours of paid work experience and assistance with transitioning into employment. Employer partners committed to providing the work-based learning opportunities include Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Haas Factory Outlet, Protech Knives, LLC, Advanced Theoretical Concepts, Inc., and Edelbrock, LLC.
At El Camino College, the Industry & Technology Division's Machine Tool Technology program, in partnership with ECC's Community Advancement Division, will provide training to 18 individuals on the autism spectrum. The SBWIB will use its collaborative network of employers in high-growth industries and training/education partners to develop "earn and learn" strategies that include paid on-the-job training, transitional jobs and work experience. The strategies will enable businesses to customize skills training for people with disabilities that can lead to employment, career advancement and economic independence.