The WorkPlace Mobilizer - December 2005
Home health aide takes global career leap
In 2004, Stamford resident Mary Isureal decided to change her career but needed financial assistance and the ability to choose a program that would be flexible to her needs.
We are seeking company managers with knowledge of which job and career opportunities are in demand within Western Connecticut and willingness to participate in a Business Advisory Council.
The Metal Manufacturers' Education and Training Alliance (METAL) and Housatonic Community College (HCC) have formed a training and educational alliance for manufacturing using a distance learning platform.
Do you or have you ever performed work from home or some other fixed location that would normally be done in a central location and includes the use of a computer, telephone or other communication device? Yes? Then you are a telecommuter!
The impact of technology is all around us, and most jobs in the future will require a higher level of computer literacy and ability to learn new applications.
We thank our recent contributors for their support of WorkPlace projects.
Home health aide takes global career leap
In 2004, Stamford resident Mary Isureal decided to change her career but needed financial assistance and the ability to choose a program that would be flexible to her needs.
A per diem home health worker, Isureal heard a radio advertisement that sparked her interest in global customs. The Academy for Career Advancement gave Isureal the support she needed.
“Everything that I tried to do prior wasn’t happening. When The Academy came into my life, it offered me a chance to take advantage of something that I had a great interest in,” said Isureal.
Isureal enrolled in The City College of New York’s Adult & Continuing Education Global Trade and Export Studies to obtain a customs broker’s license.
The curriculum consists of three courses and the Customs Broker License Test. Customs Brokers’ starting salaries are in the $40K range. Upon employment in her new field, The Academy for Career Advancement will have helped Isureal triple her gross annual income from 2004. She is currently awaiting results of the Customs Broker License Test.
“Once I got into it, I was asking questions and it sparked something,” said Isureal. “I’m looking forward to great things: getting job leads in global trades and export studies.”
The Academy for Career Advancement, a project of The WorkPlace, Inc., gives workers in Southwestern Connecticut the opportunity to build the essential skills needed to advance into higher-paying jobs within their company, or make a profitable career change, while maintaining their current employment.
For info, contact Angela Porter at (203) 610-8542.
We are seeking company managers with knowledge of which job and career opportunities are in demand within Western Connecticut and willingness to participate in a Business Advisory Council over the next several years.
“Western Connecticut’s Project with Industries”, a U.S. Department of Education grant won by The WorkPlace, Inc., seeks to leverage the resources of the CTWorks system in serving people with disabilities and employers in the 61 cities and towns of Western Connecticut (20 Southwest and 41 Northwest).
The project’s scope includes establishing a self-sustaining agency based on a fee-for-service business model that will serve businesses by providing them with skilled workers who have disabilities. Please contact Adrienne Parkmond, Esq., V.P. Operations for more information about becoming a BAC member: (203) 610-8506 or aparkmond@workplace.org.
The WorkPlace, Inc. is dedicated to helping youth become valuable, self-reliant members of the community. Contracted provider/partners deliver innovative training programs that provide educational and occupational opportunities to low-income youth, ages 14 to 21, who require specialized services and support.
One of the strengths of these youth programs is the flexibility of the tracks available to participants. Youth can choose from seven types of occupational training (including medical office assistant, computer technician, sales/marketing/retail, and entrepreneurship). The programs also provide tutoring, mentoring, leadership, and volunteering opportunities.
Out of School Youth receive occupational skills, job placement, and follow-up support. Relevant choices, delivered well, help youth become empowered and motivated to achieve. We strive to keep youth in school through graduation, and to provide youth of all ages and situations with the preparation they need to begin meaningful careers.
For the current year (July ’05-June ’06), we have secured capacity to serve 210 youth across the region. Recruitment and training are underway, and we look forward to providing you with periodic updates.
Telework
Do you or have you ever performed work from home or some other fixed location that would normally be done in a central location and includes the use of a computer, telephone or other communication device? YES? Then you are a telecommuter!
Are you an employer who has decreased costs, increased profits and retained staff by investigating, introducing and integrating Telework work options into your organizational structure? YES? Then you are a Telework employer!
The WorkPlace, Inc. is one of three organizations selected by the U.S. Department of Labor to develop and manage a three-year Telework/Telecommuting National Pilot Research Project.
The research will investigate the extent to which 1) employers across the country have integrated Telework options into their human resource structures; and 2) telecommuting work opportunities could enhance the employment options for recently returned service members and veterans with disabilities.
What have we learned from employers?
What have we learned from service members or veterans with disabilities?
The WorkPlace, Inc.’s Upcoming Products
For more info, contact Susan Kintner, Ph.D. at (203) 610-8548
The President's Report by Joe Carbone
The impact of technology is all around us, and most jobs in the future will require a higher level of computer literacy and ability to learn new applications.
The Wall Street Journal’s David Wessel recently wrote about the paradox that, even as major layoffs continue, many U.S. manufacturers report a lack of skilled workers. Wessel comments that the issue isn’t filling factory jobs that rely on muscle and a willingness to show up for work on time; those jobs are going either overseas or to automation. The issue is jobs like this one advertised by Pneumatic Scale Corp., which makes high-speed packaging equipment in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio: “Experienced assembler capable of performing diversified electrical and mechanical assembly of intricate machines. The successful candidate will have an understanding of PLC/PC-based (hardware/software) systems, utilizing Real Time Process Control applications (using C+++, Visual Basic, and Windows NT) and instrumentation.”
For Connecticut businesses to compete, they must be able to rely on a prepared labor force. We must encourage younger and older workers alike to become conversant in technology so that the new economy does not pass them (and us) by.
Thank you!
We thank our recent contributors for their support of WorkPlace projects.
- Bank of America
Bigelow
Bridgemill Foundation
Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation
Hyperion
Lew and Jean Miller
Mohegan Sun
Near & Far Aid Association
SBC
The Inner-City Foundation For Charity & Education
United Illuminating
Wachovia
Webster Bank
Xerox
Coach delivers toys and job skill training
The CTWorks Career Coach will visit the Bridgeport, Stamford, and Derby CTWorks locations on December 22, 2005. CTWorks staff (Career Resources) will be distributing toys and holiday treats and Coach staff will be providing career info. For info contact: Joyce Barcley at (203) 610-8520.
Disabilities Task Force Quarterly Meeting
January 13, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Lois Rosenwald and Stacy Hultgren, of the CT Autism Spectrum Resource Center, are the presenters. For info contact: Susan Kintner, Ph.D. at (203) 610-8548.
Community Job Fair
March 23 at Housatonic Community College. For info contact: Joyce Gonzales at (203) 334-5627 x398
