Count Me In

Training and Education for Individuals with Disabilities

Chris Gonzalez, 2024 graduate with an A.A.S. in Hotel and Restaurant Management, and Assistant Chef certificate.

SUNY Schenectady's Workforce Development & Community Education division provides training and education opportunities that lead to sustainable employment for individuals with disabilities. This program focuses on two major tracks: Entrepreneurship and Employment. Count Me In is designed to help community members make informed and empowered decisions about becoming business owners or pursuing career paths, along with understanding the requirements to achieve these goals. The program supports students throughout the education and training process and provides access to the necessary resources along the way. Funding will support training at SUNY Schenectady and other education and training providers in the Capital Region, depending on an individual's interests.

Intake and Assessment

Candidates will be advised to develop online career profiles, assessing their employment experiences, skill interests, and credentials. In-person meetings with our assistant director will also help students gain a better understanding of the options available to them.

Initial Training

Offered by the SUNY Schenectady Office of Workforce Development, the initial training will cover critical components, including professional skills on effective communication, active listening, workplace discipline, time management, conflict management, and financial literacy. In addition, courses on computer skills such as Microsoft Office and Quickbooks will be offered on an as-needed basis.

Some of the training opportunities:

Two people working at an easel, one in a wheelchair with a laptop, the other standing writing on the paper.

  • Start Up and Grow Your Business
    By leveraging existing courses offered under the Entrepreneurship Certificate, we offer a cluster of 5 courses that would be recognized as a stackable micro-credential:
    • Introduction to Business
    • Business Plan Development
    • Marketing
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Sales and Service
  • Culinary
    Elements of Baking, Sanitation Tech for Food Service, and Commercial Baking I offered by Culinary School will prepare you for employment in the Baking Industry.
  • Medical Coding and Billing
    With Medical Insurance Customer Service and Medical Insurance Claim Processor Courses, you will be ready for employment with an insurance company in claims processing.
  • Information Technology
    Courses offered both as non-credit and/or for credit are provided based on results of assessment and choices made by the participants.
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