A New Career in the New Year Provides New Hope for Those Currently Receiving Government Support
For many people, the New Year is a perfect opportunity to explore new career opportunities, but lack of training or education to transition to a new field often serves as a barrier. Eckerd Connects’ Workforce Development program is proud to contract with local state workforce boards to operationalize Title I Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Services (WIOA). This partnership helps adults, dislocated workers and out of school youth ages 16 to 24, who experience barriers to employment, gain a successful career pathway to improve economic stability.
Through a strong network of community services, eligible participants are taught the skills needed to obtain jobs in today’s competitive labor market. “The program is focused on leading participants to careers that provide sustainable living wages, so they can in turn provide for themselves and their families,” said Richard Semancik, Eckerd Connects’ Chief of Program Services.
“I’m so grateful for the doors this program has opened for me,” said 22-year-old Pauline, a recent Eckerd Connects’ Workforce Development graduate. She says the program changed her life. “If not for Eckerd Connects, I wouldn’t have this job that I love. I’m waking up happy to go to work.”
Pauline says the program will prepare participants by helping them access employment, education, training, and supportive services to achieve self-sufficiency. “If you feel like you are lacking in an area, they will work with you and help get you back on track. In the very beginning they laid out everything I needed to know clearly and easy to understand. They let me know that if I needed help in any way they would do everything they could to make sure I succeeded.”
Eckerd Connects currently offers Workforce Development in California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and the District of Columbia. Paid training is offered in most locations.
Eckerd Connects’ Workforce Development offers the following:
- Job readiness training
- High school equivalency preparation and credit recovery
- Portable credential or certification
- Career Coaches for support
- Transportation assistance
- Occupational skills training
- Subsidized child care referrals
- Apprenticeships/Pre-Apprenticeships
- Referrals for substance and mental health treatment
Who qualifies?
Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs: Available to all individuals seeking services in the one-stop system and includes services such as eligibility determinations, outreach, intake, and orientation, initial assessment of skill levels, job search and placement assistance, labor market and information and referrals to other programs.
Youth Programs: Youth who are not attending any school, 16-24 years old and one of the following:
School dropout
Within the age of compulsory school attendance but not attending school
Has a secondary school diploma or equivalent and is low income, and is either basic skills deficient or an English language learner
Offender – juvenile or adult justice system
Homeless, runaway, in foster care or aged out of foster care
Pregnant or parenting
Has a disability
Low income and requires additional assistance to enter or complete education program or to secure or hold employment
For more information or to file out an application online go to www.Eckerd.org/Workforce-Development