Claiming independence: Machinist program for Utahns with autism graduates inaugural cohort

SALT LAKE CITY — This holiday season is already far more festive for Addie Morley.

The Salt Lake County resident took a major step Friday toward independence and a promising career in a high-demand industry.

Morley is one of six adults with autism who graduated as part of the inaugural cohort of the Utah Uniquely Abled Machinist Program — a 12-week computer numeric control machine operation training program.

Morley and her fellow graduates now possess the training, skills and confidence needed to step into entry-level positions in one of the Beehive State's most high-demand manufacturing sectors.

"I was given a job offer on Wednesday with Boeing; it's a great opportunity," she told the Deseret News.

Morley will be making computer numeric control parts for Boeing aircraft.

The Utah Uniquely Abled Machinist Program operates through a partnership with Columbus Community Center, the Utah Manufacturers Association and Salt Lake Community College.

The program is funded through a Return to Work Grant from Talent Ready Utah that brings a nationally proven training model to Utah that helps prepare uniquely abled adults — specifically individuals with autism spectrum disorder— for skilled careers in advanced manufacturing.

The program's support model, according to Columbus Community Center, includes 300 hours of technical machining instruction provided by SLCC — which is then coupled with job readiness, coaching and workplace preparation from the Columbus Community Center.

Nationally, the Uniquely Abled Academy averages an 85% job placement success rate. Working with Utah manufacturers, program managers determine what specific positions are needed in the workforce.

Typical jobs include computer numeric control operators, machinist apprentices and mill/lathe technicians.

For Morley, the program has allowed her to overcome challenges that once stood between her and a career she loves.

"I have a hard time learning, and this program has made it so I can learn," she said, adding that the program connected her with instructors "who can take their experiences and teaching and take it to (a place) where I learn."

'An industry starving for quality machinists'

A key element of the Utah Uniquely Abled Machinist Program is connecting graduates such as Morley with employers seeking their newly acquired skill sets.

Richard Ballentine is the owner of Salt Lake City's Complex Fabricators. His company, he said, makes a variety of products while also anchored to a community-based ethos. "We exist to do good. … We want to bless the lives of our employees. And we want to bless the lives in our community."

Hiring program graduates, said Ballentine, "is a way to give back and to benefit, because our industry is starving for quality machinists."

Being a machinist, he added, offers paths to a solid, long-term career. "You'll always find employment — and it's something that you can grow and progress in."

Ballentine said he plans to hire at least two of the program's graduates, "and maybe more."

Doug Richter teaches machine and computer numeric control technology at SLCC, diving into "all the ins-and-outs" of machining.

"We took this cohort and tried to give them the best opportunities that we have available to teach them how to operate and set up CNC machines — and how to apply that to industries like aerospace, medical machining, and machining in general," said Richter.

"They excelled."

Richter said working with program students requires a modified instructional approach.

"We like to communicate clearly with examples that they can refer to, as well as demonstrations of the tasks that they'll be doing beforehand.

"So it's very similar to what we do in other machining classes, but we just make sure we're very rigorous with the demonstrations and the details behind what's expected."

As an educator, Richter said it's thrilling watching people thrive in new opportunities to learn and develop high-demand employment skills.

"I feel like I'm the one that's been blessed with more than anything I've done for those we've educated."

'The perfect first cohort'

During Friday's graduation ceremony, Columbus Community Center CEO Kristy Chambers said innovation, persistence, collaboration, competency, execution and results were all required for the inaugural Utah Uniquely Abled Machinist Program to be successful.

She saluted Friday's graduates —calling them the "perfect first cohort."

"This doesn't happen without you," Chambers told the students. "You took the time, the energy, and you applied for this. You put yourself out there, you were vulnerable. You came into us, and you said, 'I really want to explore this.'"

Results, she added, are not simply measured by productivity numbers or completed tasks.

"Results are people gaining confidence. Results are individuals earning new skills, earning wages, building routines and the experience and the pride that comes from meaningful work.

"Results are employers discovering talent that they may have overlooked. Results are families and growing stability and possibilities.

"And these results are not just for today, but for the future, because every success builds on that momentum."

Johnny Ferry, the president and CEO of Utah Manufacturers Association, said Friday's graduates reflect Utah's pioneering spirit.

The Beehive State is a friendly place for manufacturing. It's one of the state's largest industries.

"It's a quiet giant of an industry — and that's what you're about to enter," he told the graduates.

Future opportunities, Ferry added, are numerous.

"You'll be given opportunities to try other things, to do more, to increase and enhance your skill set —and that's what is so exciting about what you've just started into as a pioneer."

Pathways to independence, claiming dreams

Amy Herbert was a proud mother Friday. Her son, Mitchell Akin, was numbered among the graduates.

"I believe now that he can be as independent as he has always dreamed of being," she said.

"Mitchell's always had a goal of just simple independence like having his own place and having his own pets and having his own transportation."

Akin hopes to travel to Japan one day. Now that's a more realistic possibility.

"He's actually starting to believe that he's capable of creating the life that he wants to design," Herbert said of her son.

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