Organizational example:
Training, Inc.
Organization/Program |
Training, Inc. |
Program Purpose |
To create work-based training and employer partnerships that will help low-income individuals develop the job skills, life skills and confidence to succeed in living wage-employment. |
Program Description |
Training Inc. is a network of programs that started in Chicago in 1975 and now has a national office in Indianapolis. The programs serve an urban population including individuals who are unemployed and underemployed, minority populations, immigrants, refugees, persons with disabilities, veterans, ex-offenders, etc. The training programs last three to four months, running 30-35 hours/week. Operating under the core principle of simulating the workplace, the programs use work-based projects to develop skills in business communication, keyboarding, customer service/receptionist, Microsoft Office skills, etc. These simulations also help the participants with soft skills such as teamwork/cooperation and staying calm in stressful situations. Training, Inc. has relationships with various service providers for referrals and they rely on over one hundred business and community volunteers to review resumes, do mock interviews, make class presentations about the workplace, conduct workshops, etc. They partner with over 500 employers who provide job opportunities as well as assistance in developing industry-driven training curricula. Staff members include job developers and trainers who also serve as “trainee supervisors.” Just as employees in the real workplace do not have case managers, trainees at Training, Inc. work with their staff supervisors in a problem-solving process to assess their support service needs and to focus on issues that keep them from being “work ready”. |
Progress |
In 2004, the national average for job placement in programs was 85% of graduates, with 80% of employed graduates still working after one year. The average starting wage ranged by location from $20,000 to $28,000 annually. |
Contact Information |
Martha Miles, Director |
Information from Martha Miles of Training, Inc. and Elsa Bengel of YMCA Education and Training. Information also from DHCD, 2003 and Houghton & Procsio, 2001.