Mr. Michael Bastine, South Central Coast Region Deputy Sector Navigator for the Advanced Manufacturing Sector, and Director of College of the Canyons’ Uniquely Abled Academy (UAA) in Santa Clarita, California, was named the recipient of the NCATC Innovative ATC Workforce Development Award at the 2019 National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC) fall conference. The award sponsored by NOCTI, Nocti Business Solutions (NBS), and NCATC recognizes outstanding workforce development professionals and industry colleagues who make a significant contribution to the education and training of today’s advanced technology and manufacturing workforce.
Mr. Bastine established the UAA located at the College of the Canyons’ Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT). The UAA’s career preparation program prepares individuals with high-functioning autism for a career as a Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machinist in industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical device, and manufacturing. Individuals accepted into this program go through a vetting process and once in the program, participate in a 400-hour training program where they can earn three industry-recognized credentials. The UAA’s goal is to change thinking from “disabled” to “uniquely abled,” which is exactly what they have done by placing 100% of individuals completing the program in jobs in which they have been trained to succeed.
NCATC, NOCTI, and NBS congratulate Mr. Bastine on receiving this national honor and applaud his contributions to career and technical education.
