The WorkPlace administers the Jobs First Employment Services program, a collaborative initiative that helps people gain and maintain independence from state financial assistance. Jobs First Employment Services is a balanced work first model which offers intensive, short-term occupational training abd job readiness, as well as support services to assist you in securing employment.

Non exempt recipients of cash assistance under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program can get help in one or more of the following:

• Occupational Skills Training
• GED Preparation
• Subsidized Employment
• Occupation Skills Training
• Support Services
• Transportation/Childcare Benefits
• Job Search Skills Training
• Case Management
• Life Skills Training

Contact: Nestor Leon, (203) 610-8556

Jobs First Employment Services is a partnership among the Dept. of Labor, Social Services, and Connecticut's Workforce Investment Boards.

The Southwestern Connecticut Health CareeRx Academy provides no cost training and support to help participants get a career in the growing healthcare field.  Benefits and services include:

• Skills Assessment
• Job Readiness Training
• Healthcare Workshops
• Occupational Training
• Distance Learning
• Internships (limited)
• Career Development Plans
• Job Placement Services

Eligibility requirements: meet family income limits applicable for program entry OR be unemployed (27 weeks or longer) and have a high school diploma or a GED AND reside in Southwestern Connecticut

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: Joe Ercolano (203) 610-8504

Are you looking for a career in the field of weatherization? Receive training to become a Weatherization Technician, BPI Building Analyst, Energy Auditor, Lead Abatement Supervisor or Environmental Technician/Consultant. The WorkPlace’s Weatherization Training Program will provide you with access to a variety of education, training and services, which help you prepare for the green workforce.
Download an enrollment application.

Jobs Funnel
Receive job-readiness training as well as basic training in the construction industry.  You will learn construction terminology, tools and materials identification, basic math/measuring, as well as OSHA, and opportunity to earn certifications in asbestos abatement, the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER), and Building Analyst.

For more information on our weatherization and Jobs Funnel training programs, contact: Michael Stokes (203) 610-8588

Registered Apprenticeship Program
If you’re between the age of 16 and 27, have a documented disability, and interested in a career as a carpenter or other trades, you may be eligible to become a registered apprentice.  Pre-apprenticeship training is provided as well as apprenticeship opportunities. 

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

State Energy Sector Partnership Grant
As part of the CT Green Jobs Partnership, The WorkPlace oversees activities in Southwest Connecticut to build the capacity of skilled workers to meet the demands of employers in Connecticut's energy efficiency and renewable energy industries and industries that clean and enhance the environment. If you are a Southwestern Connecticut resident over 18 years of age, you may be eligible for "green energy” training such as:

• Water Treatment Operations
• Water Distribution System Operations
• Clean Water Management 
• BPI Building Analyst training
• Green Collar Champion training
• Municipal Building Official training

For more information contact: Diana Napier (203) 610-8552

Weatherization Works Training Program
The program is designed to provide a career pathway for entry-level weatherization workers.  Individuals who have successfully completed basic weatherization training may qualify for more advanced programs including: Building Analyst, Envelope Professional, and Multi-Family Building Professional. These programs offer the opportunity for certification by the Building Performance Institute.

For more information contact: Diana Napier (203) 610-8552 or Michael Stokes (203) 610 8588 

Are you looking for a career in the Environmental field? Our 8- week classroom and hands on preparation will prepare you for careers like: Lead Inspector, Hazwoper Technician, Asbestos Supervisor, Lead Abatement Supervisor or Environmental Technician/Consultant and many more!

For more information contact: L. Nicole Solomon (203) 610-8566

Green-Up Bridgeport is a USDOL funded grant focused on guiding participants into the emerging and promising “green” economy sector. Bridgeport residents* who are unemployed, an ex-offender, or have dropped out of high school can train for in-demand “green” jobs and receive job placement assistance. Participants gain exposure in:

• Resource Management
• Transportation
• Green-Energy 
• Building-Energy 

For more information, contact:
Olga Coleman-Williams (203) 610-8564

*This program is limited to people residing in the following zip codes: 06604, 06605, 06606, 06607, 06608, or 06610

If you have a mortgage and are at risk of home foreclosure with a household income of less than $120,000, you may be eligible for this program that will help you become more financially stable by increasing your job skills and earning potential. Participants must be at least 60 days past due on a mortgage for their primary residence in Connecticut.

In addition to job training and placement assistance, the Mortgage Crisis Job Training Program staff provide access to financial literacy and credit counseling services.  They will also work with housing counselors and other support agencies to help improve your financial stability with lenders.

For more information or to apply:
Call 1-866-683-1682 or email a Mortgage Crisis Job Training Staff Member. 

Financial Fitness Counseling for Mortgage Crisis Job Training participants is offered in Norwalk, Stamford and Bridgeport and provided by Connecticut Housing Finance Authority. For more information, click here 

Program Partners:
Connecticut Housing Finance Authority
Capital Workforce Partners

Specialized services for jobseekers with disabilities include:

• Benefits counselors give job seekers information geared specifically to each individual’s situation.
• One-on-one counseling - to help guide your search and instruct you in the use of adaptive equipment.
• Ticket To Work- to increase your self-sufficiency and reduce your dependence on SSI/SSDI cash benefits through counseling, guidance, and occupational training.  The Assisted Services Center in Bridgeport is an official Ticket To Work site.
• Sign Language - Interpreters are available in the Bridgeport center upon request.

Visit the CTWorks One Stop Career Center for more information on all of the specialized services and benefits you are entitled to, or go to: www.ctworksSW.org/disability
Or contact: Nestor Leon, (203) 610-8556

The Add Us In/DiversityWorks program supports small businesses in Southwestern Connecticut to hire and leverage the talent of people with disabilities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals with disabilities.

Through strengthening the connections among small minority-owned businesses, disability serving organizations, the local workforce investment board, and youth serving organizations we have built a network of advisors to create and implement strategies, models and promising practices for success.

Contact Dawn Hebert (203) 610-6556

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

If you have or are on the verge of exhausting unemployment benefits, The WorkPlace’s Platform to Employment program can help you further define your abilities, your value proposition to a potential employer and ensure access to resources to put you in the best position to re-enter the labor force, regardless of skill your skill level.

After a 4-6 week preparatory program, including skills assessment, career readiness workshops, employee assistance programs, coaching and more, you will be placed in a paid work experience program for up to eight weeks. The work experience will be with a company that has a job opening. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your skills as a steppingstone to full-time employment.

For more information, visit www.platformtoemployment.com or call us toll free at 1-888-683-5221.

Platform to Employment Brochure Complete the Platform to Employment Application

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

Consider job training in the STEM field and increase your potential to earn more money!
The Connecticut STEM Careers program is designed to provide career counseling and training services to help you get a job in a high growth, in-demand field. This program provides career counseling, retraining, mentoring, certificate programs, access to financial resources, online classes through the STEM web portal and more.

STEM careers include jobs such as:

• Accountant 
• Computer Support
• Engineering Technician 
• Graphic Design 
• Forensic Science Technician

For more information visit ctstemjobs.org or contact: Angela Porter, (203) 610-8542

Funded under the title of the Older Americans Act, MaturityWorks is a program that helps people find employment by providing paid training assignments and other job search assistance. To be eligible for this program, you must be 55 or older, unemployed, with a total household income that is lower than the federal poverty guidelines. MaturityWorks will help you develop a customized Employment Plan to assist you with the goal of getting a job. As a participant you will receive:

A Community Service Assignment: Working at a non-profit organization or municipality, an average of 20 hours per week, you will have an opportunity to train and learn new skills in a real world environment. During this time you will be paid minimum wage.

Job Search Assistance:
 An experienced job developer will work with you to find a job. You will also have access to workshops (e.g. resume writing and computer classes) and may qualify for additional training.

To find out if this program is right for you, contact:

Greater Bridgeport area:  (203) 953-3246 or 953-3247
Greater New Haven area: (203) 610-8514
Greater Waterbury area: (203) 574-6971 ext. 434

Questions? Contact: Joyce Barcley, (203) 610-8520

If you have or are on the verge of exhausting unemployment benefits, The WorkPlace’s Platform to Employment program can help you further define your abilities, your value proposition to a potential employer and ensure access to resources to put you in the best position to re-enter the labor force, regardless of skill your skill level.

After a 4-6 week preparatory program, including skills assessment, career readiness workshops, employee assistance programs, coaching and more, you will be placed in a paid work experience program for up to eight weeks.  The work experience will be with a company that has a job opening. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate that you are fully capable of doing the job with expectations that it will be a steppingstone to full-time employment.

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

The Veteran’s Workforce Investment Program provides veterans with job training and re-employment assistance. In-demand fields of employment include “green”, energy efficiency, building performance, energy audit, weatherization and renewable energy.

You will receive skills assessments, individual job counseling, labor-market information, classroom or on-the-job training, skills upgrading and retraining, as well as placement assistance and follow-up services. National and state certifications are included.

For further information and eligibility requirements, contact a program manager in your area:
Southwestern Connecticut - Carlo Leone 203-610-8518

South Central Connecticut - Tom Zielinski 203-624-1493 x269

Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor/Veterans Employment and Training Service

Program Partners:
Workforce Alliance
South Central Workforce Investment Board

The goal of Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program is to provide supportive employment that will enable veterans to achieve personal and economic sufficiency. If you are a veteran that has recently been released from prison or are near release, The WorkPlace can help you transition into employment through the Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program and you can receive:

• Skills assessment
• Job training
• Employment assistance 
• Supportive services (such as housing assistance)

For more information, please call:  Alan Gopian 203-610-8538

The Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) provides services and training to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force in Southwestern and South Central Connecticut.  Each Veteran can receive occupational skills training as well as classroom training in core skill competencies and employability skills that are required for long term employment success. Funding is by the U.S. Department of Labor/Veterans’ Employment and Training Service.

Program Partners:
ABRI / Homes for the Brave
Columbus House, Inc.

For further information, contact: L. Nicole Solomon 203-610-8566

YouthWorks connects Southwestern Connecticut in school and out-of-school youth to workforce development services. If you are between 14 and 21,  and face barriers to employment such as deficiencies in basic skills, lacking a high school diploma or GED, are homeless, a runaway or a foster child in an unstable living environment, or have a criminal record, YouthWorks can help. Occupational skills training, education remediation and job placement are available.

You will also receive comprehensive counseling and guidance as well as follow-up for at least 12 months. 
Contact YouthWorks at (203) 416-8487

The YouthBuild Bridgeport program assists at risk, out-of-school youth obtain their diplomas or GEDs while providing vocational training in the construction industry. If you are 16 to 24-years old and live in Bridgeport, you can get your high school degree or GED while building and renovating affordable housing within your community - and learning a valuable trade through The WorkPlace’s YouthBuild Bridgeport program.
 
By following the Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT) of the Home Builders’ Institute (HBI), you will earn a PACT certificate giving you skills to secure entry-level employment in your chosen trade -- carpentry, electrical, plumbing, landscaping, masonry, and facilities maintenance – as well as other related residential and light commercial construction careers, including “green” building techniques and retrofitting existing homes.  Successful completion of the YouthBuild Bridgeport program will also qualify you to enter apprenticeship in the Carpenter’s Union Local 210 as a second year apprentice.
 
Download and complete the application.
After receipt of your application, you will be contacted to determine eligibility for the program.
For more information call: 203-610-8574.

The program is made possible by an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor.

Career Connections provides Bridgeport youth parents and community members with up-to-date information and help with post-secondary education options and work experience opportunities at the Career Connections website. Click here.