The WorkPlace Mobilizer - June 2006

WorkPlace recognizes outstanding workforce achievements in Southwestern Connecticut


From left, Director of City of Milford Employment & Training, Lisa Streit and Most Successful Graduate, Shavonda Fuller.

Shavonda Fuller is a successful graduate of the City of Milford’s Employment Training program for Certified Nurses’ Assistants (CNA).
Fuller began the CNA tract in October 2005 and graduated in December 2005.
“The program helped me learn how to have patience,” said Fuller, who now works for Golden Hill Health Care Center in Milford. In fact, Fullers patience, dedication and hard work earned her the recognition of Most Successful Graduate at the 12th Annual WorkPlace Awards.
Over 200 people gathered in the auditorium in Westport Town Hall on Monday, June 26, to celebrate individual educational achievements in career education, and the companies that contribute to workforce development in Southwestern Connecticut.
Individuals were nominated by The WorkPlace’s approved training providers for demonstrating excellence in job skill programs. A Most Successful Graduate has achieved job success, pursued career goals and has a positive future in the workforce.
City of Milford Employment Training Director Lisa Streit nominated Fuller. “She had perfect attendance and a warm friendly personality,” said Streit.
The 2006 Awards recognized over 80 businesses and individuals in eight categories: Most Successful Student, Outstanding Student, Company Partner of the Year, Individual Partner of the Year, Advocacy Award, Diversity Award, Lifelong Learning, and Professional of the Year. Commissioner Patricia Wilson-Coker of the Connecticut Department of Social Services received The President’s Award.
Bridgeport Hospital, Equinox Home Care of Stratford, and William Raveis Real Estate are three of 13 organizations named Company Partner of the Year for their extensive efforts in partnering with local organizations to provide workforce training and assistance.
Job Developer Peggy Jean received an Advocacy Award for tireless promotion of lifelong learning, training and recruitment of candidates and quality providers.
“This is wonderful because it’s part of my life’s work: to advocate,” said Jean. “I wasn’t looking for the award, but it’s nice to be acknowledged by my industry peers.”
Jean ironically found her current job at the Bridgeport Housing Authority after responding to an ad posted at the Bridgeport CTWorks Career Center – a project of The WorkPlace, Inc. - four years ago. She now assists housing authority residents with employment and training.
“The WorkPlace’s extensive provider lists, assist me to be able to do my job better,” said Jean.

Youth Focus: Program redesign frees providers to focus on training

Out-of-school youth in Southwestern Connecticut who need occupational training will have a better chance to learn skills and become valuable, self-reliant members of the community thanks to The WorkPlace Inc.’s redesign of its youth program structure, and implementation of YouthWorks.
YouthWorks is an innovative approach to connecting youth to workforce development services. The model was devised in response to and to compliment new “Common Measures” of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment Training Administration.
“The model strengthens our connections to both youth and providers thus creating a seamless delivery of services to the youth of Southwestern Connecticut.” said Manager of Workforce Development Nestor Leon.
Previously, the core activities for serving youth were placed in the hands of contracted providers. The process frees providers to focus on training, and gives The WorkPlace, Inc. an increased xxxxx for individual youth participants.
The WorkPlace, Inc. created a team of Youth Workforce Specialists: Aimie Fairfax, Kameo Parks, Latrecia N. Conyers and Janiese Void. The YouthWorks team will provide services directly to youth including: recruitment, xxxx, referrals, and job placement assistance.
“Our Youth Workforce Specialists continue in-depth follow-ups with each youth and create a lifetime connection to the services of the CTWorks One-Stop system,” said Leon.
The 2006-2007 providers include: Career Resources Inc., Marrakech, Inc., City of Milford, FSW, Inc., Literacy Volunteers of Southeastern Fairfield County, Bridgeport Area Youth Ministry, Inc., NEON, Corraro Center for Careers and the Yearwood Center, Inc. Youth will have the opportunity to receive educational and occupational training as Emergency Medical Technicians, Hazwoper/Asbestos Workers, Microsoft Office User Specialists, and in human services, sales and customer service fields.
YouthWorks seeks to recruit 238 youth from 20 towns in the Southwestern Connecticut region. For more information, contact Nestor Leon at (203) 610-8556.

Grant helps homeless veterans find housing and jobs

Homes for the Brave is located on Park Avenue in Bridgeport.

A one-year U.S. Department of Labor grant ensures that homeless veterans living in Southwestern Connecticut will continue to receive vital services that help them develop job skills, secure employment, and acquire a secure place to live. The new grant, awarded to The WorkPlace for the fourth consecutive year, provides continued funding for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.
We are very pleased to be selected to continue our work -- together with Homes for the Brave and other partners -- helping veterans develop job skills, employment, and a secure place to live," said President & CEO of The WorkPlace, Inc., Joseph M. Carbone. The one-year grant from U.S. Department of Labor provides $296,000 and is renewable for two additional years, pending good performance, potentially bringing its value to nearly $900,000.
Over the past three years, 103 homeless veterans have obtained permanent housing and have been placed in full-time employment.

During the coming year, the grant will enable the partners to serve 100 veterans, with a goal to enroll 60 in training and to place 93% of those in employment.
The WorkPlace has leveraged other funding to meet the program’s requirement of providing 85% of participants with occupational skills training, enabling HVRP funds to pay for counseling services, job development and support, and assistance in providing permanent housing to these veterans.
“We are now able to provide a fully integrated service to our participants in our efforts to provide them with a stable and productive lifestyle,” said Program Performance Manager Frank Moore.
"Our thanks go to Congressman Christopher Shays for his support of this opportunity for us to make a real difference for veterans in Southwestern Connecticut," said Carbone. For information, contact Frank Moore at (203) 610-8538.

The President's Report by Joe Carbone

Across our region, and across America, businesses are lamenting the lack of basic work readiness of job applicants, recent hires, and early career employees. Our Community Audit & Needs Assessment, just completed, validated this as one of the top workforce development needs across sectors.
Just as there is not one single cause, there will be no single solution. But all point to the importance of a strong educational foundation, high expectations, and progressive “work” experience during formative and teen years.
The basic ingredients for success in the new global economy are increasingly important in jobs at all levels and in all industries – communications, initiative, collaboration, adaptability, and computer proficiency.
We will keep you posted as we refine strategies to address this priority area, and, as always, I look forward to your input.

Thank You to our Recent Contributors!

We thank our recent contributors for their support of WorkPlace projects.
2006 WorkPlace Corporate Contributor Award Recipient: Connecticut Light & Power.

Chris Swan of Connecticut Light & Power with The WorkPlace Inc. Vice President of Operations, Adrienne Parkmond.