The WorkPlace provides access to a variety of workers with skills needed for green occupations.  Through the Southwestern Connecticut Green Jobs Partnership we offer training opportunities to Southwestern Connecticut workers and job seekers interested in “ green careers ” in energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental protection. Incumbent worker training is also available to employers who seek to embrace innovative green methodology and technology. 

Additionally the Southwestern Connecticut Jobs Funnel prepares individuals for careers in the construction field.  It provides participants pre-construction training that will lead to apprenticeship opportunities.  Participants received OSHA 10 training, work readiness, and occupational training.

The Bridgeport Environmental Job Training Program provides workers with skills and credentials in brownfields remediation and solid waste management including residential and commercial building deconstruction.  Training includes 40-Hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER), Underground Storage Tank Leak Prevention, and Solid Waste Management and Cleanup.

For more information on the availability of workers through our green training programs contact: Diana Napier, (203) 610-8552

The Southwestern Connecticut Health CareeRx Academy provides healthcare employers with qualified candidates.  Most of the Academy's services are at no-cost to employers.  All of its services help to save on the expense of finding qualified workers with occupational and work-readiness training.

The WorkPlace has resources available to pay for internships granted to Academy participants.  Past internships have typically consisted of 20 hours per week for 6 weeks and ranged from entry to mid-level skills like general office work, medical billing, and patient care.  This is an opportunity to "preview" candidates for your most pressing recruiting needs at no cost to you.

The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.

For more info, contact: Judy Ursini (203) 930-1644

Add Us In/DiversityWorks aims to help small employers in Southwestern Connecticut to hire and leverage the talents of people with disabilities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals with disabilities.

Benefits to small employers hiring through the Add Us In/DiversityWorks program include access to qualified, vetted and job-ready talent; a Business Toolkit, including a new employee On-boarding and Peer Mentoring program that can increase both new and existing employee productivity and retention; one-on-one continued support for new employees; and access to resources for an expedited on-line process to apply for new state tax credits.

Diversifying your workforce with candidates who are trained in the competitive skills your business seeks will provide opportunities to increase your brand and revenue stream through access to new markets.

Contact: Dawn Hebert (203) 610-6556

For more Add Us Information on ODEP’s website, please visit  www.dol.gov/odep/addusin/

The WorkPlace’s Platform to Employment program addresses the need for the long term unemployed to return to work and the employer need to recruit skilled workers. The program is a public-private partnership which gives businesses a risk-free opportunity to evaluate and consider hiring candidates during an 8 week work experience program.

We offer individuals a 4-6 week preparatory program, including skills assessment, career readiness workshops, employee assistance programs, coaching and more. Upon program completion, we match job seekers with open positions at local companies and place participants in positions on a trial basis, paid for by The WorkPlace. Expectations are that if the company is satisfied with the performance of the candidate, a full-time job offer will ensue.

For more information, visit www.platformtoemployment.com

Platform to Employment Information for Employers

Read the Investor Update (March 2012)

For more information contact: Michael Morgan, (203) 610-8572

Offering Just-In-Time Staffing Solutions For All Your Staffing Needs

We provide an array of consulting services to examine your unique business, the skills and competencies required to achieve success.  We examine the labor market in context with your business and expectations.  Collaboratively, we develop a focused, workforce solution. Our recruitment systems become a strategic, seamless extension of your HR Operations. 

For the past 28 years, The WorkPlace has been matching local talent with just the right skills with businesses. Engage Staffing is the regional leader in cost-effective services, providing a highly qualified workforce that knows their industry. We provide a full range of recruitment solutions that can be customized to meet your immediate business needs.

Engage Staffing offers a full variety of staffing options:

• Temporary
• Seasonal or Project Specific
• Temp-to-Hire
• Direct Hire

For more information contact: Jana Rahrig (203) 610-6554

Subsidized Training and Employment Program

Hire an employee and receive wage reimbursement from the state.  The program promotes job creation and worker opportunity for Connecticut small businesses and unemployed workers.

• An initiative of the CT DOL and regional partners
• Subsidized Training and Employment Program
• Small Manufacturer Training Grant Program
• Both programs apply to “new hires”
• Eligible small businesses, 100 employees or less (can only utilize one program for each eligible new hire)
• Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment Program (similar to Wage Subsidy program)  is available to eligible employers of any size that hire an unemployed veteran

For more information contact: Carmen Nieves (203) 610-8478 or click here.

The WorkPlace leads several partnerships which serve both male and female veterans who have been referred by the VA Connecticut Health System, CTWorks One-Stop Career Centers and community organizations.  Veterans can receive skills assessments; individual job counseling, labor-market information; classroom or on-the-job training; skills upgrading and retraining; and re-employment assistance at no cost.

Our programs prepare veterans for a number of careers.  Those successfully completing training, in this industry, acquire skills to begin work in Brownfield Remediation, performing Energy Audits, Deconstruction, HVAC and Weatherization.

For more information contact: Joyce Barcley, (203) 610-8520

YouthWorks assists youth in obtaining their diplomas or GEDs while providing occupational training. It helps local youth, choose and prepare for a career while providing employers with a pipeline of talented workers. Contracted training providers deliver innovative education programs that increase the capacity of young workers and enhance their ability to enter the workforce. Training is provided in a variety of fields including but not limited to: Microsoft Office Specialists, Customer Service, Emergency Medical Technician, Certified Nurse’s Assistant, Dental Assistant, Veterinary Assistant, and Pharmacy Technician.

For more information contact: Nestor Leon, (203) 610-8556

Our YouthBuild program not only assists young people in obtaining education and skills, but also gives them a sense of accomplishment and empowers them as they give back to their communities. While acquiring leadership skills and participating in community service, youth build and renovate affordable housing within their communities. Giving youth wrap around supports and services provides them the chance at success and supplies local businesses with a skilled workforce.

For more information contact: Samone Wright, (203) 610-8590