OUR PROGRAM
The need for quality employees in Shelbyville is staggering. Employers are willing to train the individuals they hire with the hard skills they need to do the job, but they aren’t willing to train folks in the soft skills (attendance, respect, teamwork, etc.) With manufacturing and the trades being two of the largest employers in Shelbyville, we’re going to use our wood shop as a training ground to prepare folks for meaningful employment.
Our goal is simple.
Prepare folks to get a job and maintain a job.
step 1: starts with Job Readiness
Individuals will learn about the purpose of work. That there is dignity in work. That work is how we support ourselves, our families, and our community. Individuals will receive guidance in resume writing, participate in mock interviews, and learn how to talk about their difficult past life experiences with potential employers.
Step 2: Growing Job Skills
Attitude, attendance, and achievement are three key criteria that employers use when evaluating employees. Being punctual, being respectful, and doing the task at hand are keys to success at any job. Through work in both the classroom and the wood shop individuals will be assessed on these criteria. When an individual graduates we’ll have several months of “work experience” we can use to help participants grow and to pass along to potential employers.
Step 3: connecting employees to potential employers
Having a great resume or being a hard worker won’t do you much good if there isn’t an employer willing to give you a chance. We’re working to build a growing network of employers willing to hire individuals with difficult past life experiences.
What makes this work
What makes this program so effective is that every participant is paired with a champion. Our champions attend every class and walk with participants through the classwork as well as act as a cheerleader during the hiring process. Having a support system is one of the most important aspects of what we do.