Vocation Skill Building and Job Coaching: The Nicholas Center
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College & Employment Supplement 
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“The most motivated and driven individuals, our participants truly value every ounce of work they do, making a profound impact on both their community and themselves.” ~ Norma Jean Miller
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Speaking with Norma Jean Miller, the passionate and experienced Director of Supported Employment Programs at SEMP Cert, The Nicholas Center.
Not every child can benefit from college; some may do better with vocational skill-building. Some students who attend college may also benefit from these programs. While many programs help kids get career skills and jobs, they often provide only two weeks of help before they’re done. That is not usually enough time to help someone succeed, especially for the first job.
Programs like The Nicholas Center inspire, encourage, and motivate communities to promote inclusion and offer opportunities. As Norma Jean Miller from the center explains, they work directly with businesses to offer employment to individuals. They help participants learn critical life skills, improve social and communication abilities, receive vocational training, and get on-the-job experience that can help them grow and thrive.
The Nicholas Center’s mission is to innovate how adults with autism live, learn, and work in their communities through innovative programming such as the supportive employment program. By supporting participants through learning their interests, skills, and abilities and matching them with internships and jobs that incorporate those factors, they help them achieve success. Some of the areas of focus include:
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Role-playing
- Transitioning between tasks
- Personal hygiene
The result is newly gained confidence, fulfillment, responsibility, and pride in a well-done job. Parents and employers share how well-motivated, driven and accomplished the program participants are. Inclusive businesses often express the impact it has had on their coworkers and team, increasing collaboration and teamwork.
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This post originally appeared on our September/October 2024 Magazine
