Interested in a behind-the-scenes look at a typical day for students at the BCI Skills Center? If you or someone you know is exploring vocational training programs for adults with disabilities in the greater St. Charles area, we’ll walk you through the journey. We hope you’ll gain an understanding of how our courses are structured and what makes them unique — so you can better determine if it might be a good fit for your own personal and career goals. Let’s get started!

Vocational Training for Disabled Adults at Boone Center, Inc.

Arrival, Check-In, & Soft Skills

Students arrive at their program’s vocational training facility. Learning onsite provides a real-world setting in which to build skills and achieve workforce standards. While each vocational track has its own specific hands-on curriculum, all programs include daily instruction in soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and workplace expectations. Soft skills are a key component of our vocational training for adults with disabilities and are key to long-term vocational success.

• 7:45 AM: Students arrive, check in, and get settled.
• 8:00 AM: Students begin the day with instruction on soft skills. A lesson could consist of an instructor facilitating role-play scenarios, such as “how to greet a supervisor” or “how I should respond to feedback.”
• 9:00 AM: Students transition to core skills training, which will occupy the remaining class time. Most Skills Center classes run for four hours a day, five days a week, over six weeks.

This routine provides each student with a clear schedule to follow, which is another essential skill to develop when entering the workforce. The structure builds confidence, reinforces the importance of attendance and engagement, and then moves into hands-on, job-specific skills training.

Hands-On Training in Your Chosen Track

The heart of each day is the hands-on vocational learning tailored to each student’s chosen track and learning preferences. Our offerings include Manufacturing, Health Care & Social Assistance Support, Warehouse, Hospitality, and Custodial programs. Across all tracks, the growth that takes place during the course is significant.

Below is a glimpse of three tracks from a student’s point of view:

• Manufacturing Program: Students meet at the BCI Skills Center training facility in St. Peters, in a classroom outfitted as a replica of a True Manufacturing production line. Daily coursework could include:
  • Identifying parts and using air or power tools during a sub-assembly activity.
  • Practicing a quality inspection.
  • Working as part of a team on a mini production line, divided into stations.
• Health Care & Social Assistance Support Program: Hands-on training for students in the Health Care program takes place at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital in Creve Coeur. A typical day might consist of:
  • Practicing the correct order of tasks for sanitation procedures, such as cleaning a patient room after discharge.
  • Participating in role-play scenarios, such as “how to clean a spill in the lobby area.”
  • Walking the hospital with an instructor to visit key areas and observe and receive feedback on different tasks.
• Warehouse Program: In this learning track, students may build boxes, load or unload shipments, or work with automation at Distribution Management in St. Peters. The day could also include:
  • Taking products and building packaging as if it were in a fulfillment line.
  • Using a pick list to locate, scan, and pack items for shipping.
  • Participating in a session focusing on warehouse safety and efficiency.

Daily Wrap-Up & Looking Ahead

After the core program training, students gather for a reflection session to share what they have learned, how they have improved, and what they will focus on the next day. When the day ends, instructors encourage students to rest and prepare for the next day. There may be recommended reading, a short video on workplace safety, or a peer check-in system where students encourage one another.

Throughout the course, instructors frequently meet with students for one-on-one check-ins. These coaching sessions provide students with a safe space to discuss their feelings, while helping staff identify any necessary supports or accommodations. This individualized attention is one of the reasons Boone Center stands out — and how we help students achieve long-term career placement success.

Boone Center: Apply For a Vocational Training Program

The vocational programs at BCI offer more than just job training; they provide a path toward confidence, independence, and meaningful employment in the integrated workforce. From the moment students arrive, they are working toward their future goals. Whether they are assembling components on a manufacturing line or mastering housekeeping standards, every lesson is a stepping stone to a real job.

If you or someone you know is ready to explore vocational learning opportunities for adults with disabilities in the greater St. Louis region, we invite you to reach out and schedule a meeting.

Ready to take the next step? Apply for BCI Vocational Training today and learn about upcoming start dates, program tracks, and eligibility requirements.