COVID can’t stop our Workforce Development team and their clients!
During this past winter, 12 youth participated in an eight-week job readiness program, which focused around the hospitality industry. Course trainers, guest speakers and facilitators served as teachers, training youth in the food service, customer service and marketing industries, all geared toward preparing youth for a job in hospitality or retail.
“It’s been great. It’s helped me with a lot,” explained Tyra, a participant. “I learned some physical skills, some emotional skills – all types of skills!”
The youth met three times a week for workshops and classes taught by industry professionals, in which they learned the basics of marketing, safe food management, customer care, public relations, special event planning, product styling and merchandising. At end of the eight weeks, youth received a ServSafe certification and a Customer Service certification recognized by the National Retail Federation.
But getting a job is more than having certifications. The youth also were trained in enhancing their interviewing skills and perfecting their resumes. At the end of the program, youth participated in job interviews that were arranged for them.
The goal of our workforce training programs is to set youth on a pathway to a career, whether it be teaching soft skills, technical skills or even connecting youth with jobs.
“It was exciting to experience a new type of job,” said Tyra.