Fredericksburg Workforce Center Success Story
The initial meeting with GW who is a dislocated worker and was very unfamiliar with how to do a job search. GW had worked for the same company for over 11 years. When she started her job search she realized how out dated her skills were. GW was an Access Control Specialist where she maintained conference rooms and worked with the security activities.
GW was informed of the WIOA program. GW completed all of the requirements for the program. GW then attended Germanna Community College and took computer classes. The classes she took included Excel, PowerPoint and MS Word. All of these classes were needed in order for her to be able to return to the Workforce. GW found in her job search these were the skills employer were asking for. GW completed all of the classes. After she completed all of the classes she became very frustrated because she was not finding any job opportunities.
The case manager spoke with the OJT manager and informed her of GW’s frustration and also gave her a resume for review. The OJT manager spoke with GW and gave her some interview points and arranged an interview with an OJT partner.
The interview went very well and GW has returned to full time the workforce. GW is working for the Rappahannock Goodwill Industries on Market Street in Fredericksburg as a Customer Service Representative/Cashier. The job is very close to her house and she likes the commute.GW is enjoying the job and is very thankful for the WIOA and OJT programs.
Job Assistance Center Northern Neck Success Story
37-year-old C. was released from prison in December 2016, after being incarcerated for 17 years. He was homeless and desperately seeking employment. He came into the Job Assistance Center for help. He spent most of his days applying for jobs. He applied online and walked or rode his bike from place to place. He received multiple invitations for interviews, but his background consistently held him back. Finally, a local business agreed to give him a second chance, and we enrolled him in on-the-job training. He is working 40 hours a week, earns $9.00 an hour and receives a full benefits and retirement package. He has since added a second job, working another 35 – 40 hours a week. He loves his job and is determined to be successful. He has bought a car and established a checking and savings account.
C. is very interested in going back to prison, as a guest, and telling his story. Although he had heard of the difficulties associated with re-entry, nothing had prepared him for the reality. He wants other offenders to be informed and prepared before their releases.
Job Assistance Center Middle Peninsula Success Story
A Lancaster County man was released from jail and was unable to secure employment. He was previously enrolled in our LEAP Program. We certified him 4/8/16 and started immediately with job readiness training. We talked in depth about interviewing and how to answer questions about his conviction as well as problem solving skills. We were able to discuss and solve problems unique to ex-offenders as he was experiencing them.
Initially he was not sure what he wanted to do but did feel like training could benefit him. He did labor market research on welding, HVAC and an electrical certification. During his researchhe prepared for the Career Readiness Certificate and became Flagger Certified in hopes of expanding his job options while attending school. He scored a Silver on the CRC. He did some temporary work with Labor Ready. He was able to get rehired at Art-On-Products full time effective 7/17/16 at $13.50/hr. He was employed there before his incarceration. He spoke to his boss and was encouraged to take the Electrical course offered by Rappahannock Community College so he could possibly assist with maintenance and repair of their electrical machinery. He completed the electrical course in October. He continues to work at Art-On-Products and is doing well.
Eastern Shore Workforce Center Success Story
T.I. first met with the WIOA case manager as an adult client in need of his Commercial Driver’s License. He had to earn this credential to be eligible for a position as an Apprentice Lineman with Choptank Electric Cooperative. While he had experience as a lineman, this particular company only hires lineman who possess a CDL. He successfully completed ESCC’s CDL program in the spring of 2016 and was hired for a full-time position with benefits earning $22.61 per hour.
Employment Resources Incorporated Youth Success Story
J.D. enrolled in the WIOA Youth program in the spring of 2016 as an In-School client. He was attending an alternative day school in Fredericksburg as a result of his depression and ADHD. His case manager and the school staff worked with him diligently to help him remain engaged through graduation. After graduating from post-secondary education and training was discussed with J.D and despite receiving a $1,000 scholarship from the local Rotary chapter, he was not ready to attend any type of post-secondary education or training, he just wanted to work. J.D. was offered competitive employment with the business where he participated in a paid work experience at the end of the school year. Unfortunately, soon after starting his employment and obtaining the necessary tools and equipment his employment was terminated. J.D. immediately contacted his case manager and informed her that he had lost his job and needed help looking for another. He quickly secured employment at another automotive shop, and expressed interest in starting his ASE certification training through VCCS.
He was initially interested in taking classes at the Northern Virginia Community college, but after looking at the different requirements for Northern Virginia Community College versus Germanna Community College, he ultimately decided that Germanna was a better fit for him academically because it culminates into a certificate in contrast to NOVA which requires students complete an associate degree rather than the certificate. J.D started the classes necessary for his ASE certification in January and will have completed a total of 10 credits and is 50% complete with his certification. Depending on course offering J.D. may complete his certification by December of 2017. Due to the schedule of his classes currently he is unable to secure employment because he attends classes from 8-12:30 every day. He will be looking for work once his classes are over in May, for the summer and then his classes will resume in August.
Rappahannock Community College Youth Success Story
JB was referred to Youth Services by DARS. He was a quiet eighteen-year-old young man who dreamed of a career as a video game tester/developer. After some career counseling with the WIOA case manager, JB decided that a more realistic, but still related, occupational goal would be computer repair.
JB has a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and had an IEP in high school. He is a very intelligent person who learns best in a quiet environment. His challenges included social interactions with others, adjusting to sudden or unexpected changes, controlling his emotions, and working in groups.
As part of JB’s Individual Service Plan, he was placed in RCC’s Tutoring program to prepare him for training that he would later receive through Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center (WWRC). He was able to achieve a gain in his Educational Functioning Level in math which assisted him in obtaining a Gold Career Readiness Certificate. Additionally, he was placed in a Work Experience at a local library. With guidance from his WIOA case manager and DARS worker, JB was able to improve his social skills and interactions with others at the library, while also learning time management skills. JB began learning crucial life skills such as how to respond to others without becoming angry and how to appropriately take suggestions from peers and co-workers.
In November, 2016, JB entered the Life Skills Transition Program at WWRC. He did well with the educational training and continued to show improvement with social interactions. He is now nearing the end of his Computer Support Services training at WWRC. He is learning, and working on, more difficult repairs and has done well replacing laptop motherboards. He continues to improve with his interactions with customers and peers. He is on track to complete the program in July 2017, after he tests for his A+ Certification.
After graduation from WWRC, WIOA will support him while transitioning back home and transferring to his local community the social skills and behavior management gains that he has achieved. WIOA will assist him with finding employment where he can utilize his computer skills and certification, as well as his increased social skills.
Eastern Shore Community College Youth Success Story
C.S.is the definition of determination. She has two babies, both under the age of 2. She has worked diligently to keep up with school and received home bound instruction for a time in order to stay in school. She has managed to earn A's & B's in all of her classes for the past two years, complete schoolcommunity service, and raise her family. She will be attending ESCC in the Fall where she will major in Nursing. In addition, she has been working on job applications.