Count Me In

Training and Education for Individuals with Disabilities

SUNY Schenectady's Workforce Development & Community Education division and Our Ability, Inc. have partnered to provide training/education opportunities that lead to sustainable employment for individuals with disabilities. This pilot program focuses on two major tracks: Entrepreneurship or Employment. Count Me In is designed to help community members make empowered decisions about becoming a business owner and/or pursuing a career path along with what is required to achieve these goals. This program supports students through the education and training process and provides access to the resources needed along the way. Funding will support training at SUNY Schenectady and other education/training providers in the Capital Region depending on an individual's interest.

Intake and Assessment

Candidates will be advised to develop online career profiles via the Jobs Ability portal, assessing employment experiences, skill interests, and credentials. The portal is designed to interact with participants, presenting employment options and connections. There is a job readiness training library to explore as well.

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:

• Start Up and Grow Your Business
  By leveraging existing courses offered under the Entrepreneurship certificate, we offer a cluster of five courses that would be recognized as a stackable microcredential:
  • 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 the School of Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism will prepare the student for employment in the baking industry.
• Medical Coding and Billing
  With Medical Insurance Customer Service and Medical Insurance Claim Processor courses students will be ready for employment with an insurance company in claims processing.
• Information Technology
  Courses offered both as non-credit or for-credit are provided based on results of assessment and choices made by the student.