WORKING WARDROBES FOR A NEW START (3)

Home Browse Search

7. Preparation for Postsecondary Education and Training A.The Rebuilding Careers for Young Adults program equips participating youth with the skills and resources necessary for high-wage careers through career exploration, mentorship, and connections with Supportive Adults in high-demand sectors.Through these mentors, participants will be exposed to industries offering an average starting wage of$23/hour and long-term growth potential, including healthcare, IT, manufacturing, hospitality, and logistics. They will be connected to WIOA-approved education and training programs in these high- demand fields, such as construction, manufacturing, IT, culinary arts, and transportation, leading to the attainment of a postsecondary credential or secondary school diploma.These programs will provide up to$1,000 in tuition assistance to cover costs like tuition, tools, clothing, and equipment.The Career Navigator will assist participants in selecting and enrolling in the appropriate certification programs, offering support through facility tours and enrollment sessions. If a GED is required but not yet obtained, the Career Navigator will connect participants to alternative education programs, such as those through Santa Ana Community College Continuing Education,to ensure they meet enrollment prerequisites. B.The Career Navigator will assist participants in identifying and enrolling in WIOA-approved postsecondary credential or secondary school diploma programs that align with their career goals. Through its other City of Santa Ana-funded contract (Prison to Employment program), Working Wardrobes has successfully helped clients enroll in programs at institutions such as North Orange County Education (NOCE), Santa Ana College, Healthstaff Training Institute, H.B. CDL Training(Driving School), CTM Welding Training & Certification, and more. Working Wardrobes will leverage these established partnerships to identify suitable programs for out-of- school youth. C.The Career Navigator will work with participants to create individualized employment plans based on each youth's career interests, strengths and assessments. For clients uncertain of their career path, the program will provide access to the B-Unbound platform (b-unbound.org), connecting participants with volunteer mentors from high-demand industries. Mentorship activities between participants and B-Unbound Supportive Adults include: • Informational interviews. • "A day in the life" workplace tours and job shadowing. • Passion and skill-building exercises. Upon being matched in the B-Unbound platform, participants will have six months to access the platform and request up to 5 mentorship connections.The Career Navigator will ensure the mentorship is a good match and assist with navigating the platform, coordinating meetings, and fostering connections. Supportive Adults working with minors will undergo a background check before starting mentorship activities.