How long have you been a BAMA member?
MacDonald Training Center (MTC) has been a member of BAMA for about seven years. In this time, we have participated in BAMA’s monthly tours of manufacturers in the area that has helped us in creating and implementing training opportunities for people with disabilities in order to strengthen and enhance their skill set that lead to integrated and competitive employment. MTC has also assembled souvenir bags for BAMA’s annual golf tournament for the last several years.
What do you like most about being a BAMA member?
BAMA is an unparalleled resource for MacDonald Training Center. Being a member of BAMA has helped MTC network and cultivate relationships with other manufacturers in the industry. These relationships have led to business partnerships that aid in generating revenue for our mission. Being a member of BAMA has led to partnerships that have provided employment opportunities for clients of MTC, opportunities that have allowed people to obtain a career in their own communities and achieve independence in their own lives. Lastly, being a member of BAMA has provided us with an opportunity to receive advice from industry experts that has guided our training curriculums so that we capture industry standards and prepare students to meet those standards and find success in their own careers that are integrated and competitive.
Tell us about MTC and how your company can assist manufacturers?
With exponentially increased online shopping and shipping as the nation continues to practice social distancing for the near future, employers will need workers with logistics training and certification to meet demand in the post-COVID-19 economy. The Certified Logistics Associate and Certified Logistics Technician courses are a part of MTC’s educational and vocational certificate programs. All of the curriculums taught in the certificate programs have been created with assistance from college educators and industry experts; and all programs provide students with opportunity to become certified in a globally accredited program. MTC’s certificate programs are offered during the day, in the evenings, on weekends, and virtually so that individuals looking for career and professional development assistance can find a class that best suits their schedule.
Each certificate program provides services, supports, and experiential opportunities, with the aim of enhancing skills that will prepare individuals with disabilities to succeed in workplace and postsecondary education settings. Communication and interpersonal skills leading to job performance; financial literacy; public transportation management as well as job-seeking skills; and other “soft” life skills necessary for employment are integral to the training platforms.
All of MTC’s certificate program classes teach curriculums developed to provide pathways to employment in the fastest growing sectors in Florida: Technology, Manufacturing, HealthCare and Hospitality.
For those who would like to learn and work in the manufacturing industry, MTC offers the Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) and Certified Logistics Technician (CLT) courses. The CLA course teaches and certifies students in the critical elements of the logistics industry such as material handling, inventory management, shipping & receiving material, quality control, pick & pack, safety principles, work communication practices, use of computer systems, and equipment safety.
The Certified Logistics Technician (CLT) course teaches and certifies students in the following elements of the industry: how to receive products, stock products, process orders, prepare shipments, maintain inventory, and how to handle hazardous materials in a safe manner, and prepares students for a supervisory role in logistics.
These courses can help manufacturers in raising the level of performance in their workforce and will help employers ensure their workforce increases the company’s productivity and competitiveness.
How has your involvement with BAMA influenced your businessr?
MTC enjoys many long-term established working relationships with businesses and employers throughout Tampa Bay. Few have had the impact that BAMA has had on the trajectory of the organization.
In 2016, MacDonald Training Center asked BAMA to join a focus group exercise where we met with 6-10 business leaders from the bay area and asked them to help identify skills and competencies most needed in their workforce. From these meetings, MTC developed a training curriculum that could ensure that students, who have barriers to employment, would be job ready and would become a successful team member in their employer’s workforce. These meetings, that BAMA helped MTC coordinate and facilitate, became the first blue print of what is now known as our Certified Logistics Associate and Certified Logistics Technician courses.
Business leaders and hiring managers from BAMA took the time to sit down with us and give us incredible information on what employers are seeking in a new hire and what qualifications stand out when they choose their next employee. We learned that the manufacturing industry in this area is thriving and businesses need to find qualified employees now more than ever. We learned that turnover is a huge concern; and that finding people who are already trained in computer systems, machinery, or industry best practices can be a huge advantage to the employer. This advantage is especially true if the person understands what the role is like and has determined, through training, that they enjoy the work. We learned that people being trained in safety is so important to businesses, because it means that the person will be mindful of how the job is done. Finally, we learned that as a training center, MTC could help many businesses find excellent talent that will commit to that company’s mission for a long time.
After these meetings, MTC began to look at globally recognized certifications that could be taught to students who are interested in a career in the manufacturing industry. This search led us to the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council’s CLA and CLT courses. Once we found the certification, we focused on developing a team of instructors, coaches, and training opportunities that would help these students enhance their knowledge, fine tune their skills, and graduate with a certification. Finally, this meeting led us to combine two areas of service- education and employment, to create a pathway to a career for students, and for businesses- we could help them find the right team member that will meet their expectations and help achieve success.
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment to date?
MacDonald Training Center is a connector, a catalyst for change, not only assisting individuals with disabilities to navigate an inclusive workplace, but providing resources and diversity training to employers. MTC has proudly placed thousands of people with varying disabilities into employment in the Tampa Bay region.
After 67 years of advancements and advocacy for people with disabilities, we are very proud of the innovative certificate based programming developed with the input from BAMA and other subject matter experts. Among our greatest accomplishments is collaborating with other businesses and service providers in an effort to develop the certificate programs and help people with disabilities from Florida, this program is the first of its kind. We hope to help other service providers in developing a similar model so that more people with disabilities get an opportunity to find their career and independence.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Do not give up, stay agile, and find the right team that believe in the mission.
What is the most important skill you have developed?
Learning to adapt to a changing situation. If this year has proven anything, it has proven that being able to adjust your service delivery or model is so important. Whatever challenges you face, can ultimately be an opportunity to become better than before.
