Custodians play some of the most vital roles in a school. School districts like Wentzville are now reaching out to the community in an effort to provide opportunities to those who may want to be a part of a huge role.
The Wentzville School District has partnered with Boone Center Inc; a vocational training center that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) find fulfilling employment opportunities that align with their skills and interests.
The hope is that BCI will help the district recruit new custodians. Prospective students enter a six-week program where they will learn vocational and soft skills. These skills include communication, teamwork, personal finance, and expectations for an hour a day.
Students who choose to join this program will train for four hours a day, Monday through Friday from 2:30-6:30 p.m. The starting wage for the students will be around $15/hour. This will help them feel a sense of independence and allow them to work on their financial management.
“These programs and trainings are life changing for these clients,” Darcell Fleeman, the Director of Vocational Training for Youth Programs for BCI, said. “They learn independence, they are contributing to society and for some of them they will be able to live independently.”
Students who are a part of the program will not only be cleaning, they will also take part in presentations and discussions. When they are doing hands-on learning, however, they will train at not only middle schools but elementary and middle schools. This will allow them to find the best fit for them and see what environment works for them.
Classrooms, restrooms, and offices are just a few of the environments that these students will be cleaning. These opportunities don’t just help them learn a trade they could potentially use in their job life but also allow them to be able to be independent in their own life.
Once students finish the program they will be able to start a custodial career in the Wentzville location. This will only be available however if people are looking for employees. Students may only be able to get a job though if they meet the pre-hiring requirements beforehand.
Training for the program is accredited by the Missouri Department of Higher Education. Typically county or state funding will be able to cover the costs of tuition, in the case it can’t however they offer scholarship funds.
“All you have to do is go to our website and fill out an informational form, our transition manager will set up an intake meeting to discuss options. It’s that simple,” Fleeman said.
If you wish to learn more or apply you can call Darcell Fleeman who is Director of Vocational Training for the Youth Programs for BCI at (636) 875-5272 or email at dfleeman@boonecenter.com. You may also visit the boonecenter.com/skills-center to enroll today.
