BCI Skills Center Launches Latest Partnership with Newco Enterprises
Program is a pathway to competitive work for adults with disabilities
(St. Louis, Mo., October 6, 2022) The BCI Skills Center—a vocational training facility for adults with
disabilities that partners with local businesses to create custom programs—is currently accepting students for its
latest manufacturing program in partnership with Newco Enterprises in St. Charles. The first eight-week course
begins October 24 and is open to five students.
The program prepares students to accept assembler positions with a starting salary of $14 per hour.
Headquartered in St. Charles, Newco is a leading manufacturer of commercial coffee and tea brewers, coffee
makers and other equipment for the office coffee supply industry. The firm employs 160 people at its facility
located on New Town Boulevard near Highway 370.
“Newco is excited to partner with BCI to further expand our efforts to hire individuals with disabilities,” said
Human Resources Manager Theresa Matlock. “These individuals are an important and under-utilized talent
pool. They come to work excited, have above-average attendance and fulfill essential functions to assist in
meeting our production goals.”
During the course’s first six weeks, students will receive two hours of instructor-led vocational training Monday
through Friday at Newco. Students will learn how to assemble commercial coffee equipment, perform
subassembly tasks using hand and power tools, follow standard operating procedures, maintain supplies,
prepare packaging and box finished products. Students will spend an additional hour each day mastering in-
demand soft skills such as effective communication with supervisors and peers, dealing with change, working
independently, and workplace expectations. During the final two weeks, students will actually begin working at
Newco while receiving the last of their instructor-led training for two hours a day.
Tuition funding is available for students from St. Charles and St. Louis counties.
“The Newco partnership diversifies the manufacturing job opportunities offered at the Skills Center and
provides a new career path for our students,” said Executive Director Todd Streff. “This is definitely a mission
moment for us as it signifies one more new way for adults with disabilities to move into the competitive
workforce. Furthermore, with 86.8% of our graduates still successfully employed after six months, we know
they’re coming in under a skills identification and training process that works.”
200 Trade Center Dr. W, St. Peters, MO 63376
Founded in 2019, the Skills Center is a first-of-its-kind vocational training facility for people with intellectual
and developmental disabilities and other barriers to employment. The Skills Center co-creates its custom
programs in partnership with local, inclusive-minded businesses. Upon graduating, students join the partner
businesses where they work alongside non-disabled individuals while earning the same opportunities,
responsibilities, benefits and pay. Headquartered at 2026 Trade Center Dr. in St. Peters, Mo., the BCI Skills
Center currently offers programs in health care support, hospitality, information technology, manufacturing and
warehousing. All Skills Center programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation
Facilities (CARF) International, which assures a commitment to program and service quality with a focus on the
satisfaction of those served.
Interested individuals are encouraged to apply soon since space is limited. The application form is available at
https://skillscenterstl.com/apply-now. For more information or to schedule a tour, call (636) 875-5251 or visit
http://skillscenterstl.com.
The BCI Skills Center receives funding from the Developmental Disabilities Resource Board of St. Charles
County and the Productive Living Board of St. Louis County. These public taxing entities commonly known as
“Senate Bill 40 Boards” enter into funding contracts with agencies that serve individuals with developmental
disabilities.
