Ground-Breaking Employment Program Putting Connecticut’s Long-term Unemployed Back to Working
Connecticut participants of the nationally recognized Platform to Employment (P2E) program will celebrate their graduation at a ceremony tomorrow. P2E empowers individuals, fosters self-sufficiency and focuses on performance improvements with measurable outcomes. Over 27% of this graduating class has already secured employment.
P2E includes a five-week preparatory program including skills assessments, career readiness workshops, employee assistance programs and other support services. Career coaches work with participants to leverage their professional experience and to develop effective job search strategies. Upon completion, P2E helps participants find open positions at local companies and covers the cost of wages during a trial period where employers can evaluate if a candidate is a good fit for the job. The expectation is that a full-time job will result if the employer is satisfied with the performance of the candidate.
P2E’s success is unparalleled. Since its inception, the program has helped over 800 Connecticut residents find employment. Nearly 80% of Connecticut preparatory program participants take the next step into a work experience at a local company. Of this population, nearly 90% have moved to employer payrolls. This success has led to replication in more than a dozen states across the country.
“P2E was a lifeline and re-emergence of hope, about becoming gainfully re-employed after my long period of unemployment,” said Donna Buzik, a participant from the from the Waterbury cohort who will graduate tomorrow. “P2E taught me how to modernize my approach to the job search process with my resume, personalized cover letter and sharpened interviewing skills. I am now ready to pursue employment in today’s more competitive environment. More importantly, I have regained my confidence and know I will be an asset in any organization”. Members of the media are invited to meet with Donna and other program participants from the Hartford, Waterbury and Bridgeport cohorts.
WHO: Joseph Carbone, President and CEO, The WorkPlace
State Representative Mitch Bolinsky, 106th District, Newtown and Sandy Hook
State Representative Larry Butler, 72nd District, Waterbury
State Representative-Elect Stephanie Cummings, 74th District, Waterbury
Altia Lawrence, Director of Human Services, ICES, Inc., a Naugatuck employer who hired a P2E graduate
Kathleen Roehrich, Employed Participant, Platform to Employment
WHAT: Graduation for Platform to Employment Program
WHERE: Mattatuck Museum, Performing Arts Center, 3rd Floor, 144 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06702
WHEN: Thursday, December 8th, 2016, at 10:00 a.m.
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About The WorkPlace
The WorkPlace conducts comprehensive planning, and coordinates regional workforce development policy and programs to prepare people for careers while strengthening the workforce for employers. As national leader in the field, The WorkPlace regularly shares ideas and best practices with lawmakers, foundations, think tanks and other workforce development organizations around the country. For more information, visit www.workplace.org