As part of our extended strategic plan to help more people across Palm Beach County, we're implementing new ways to enhance our Job Training Program.
BHH's holistic, "one-stop-shop" approach to job training and combating poverty helps unemployed clients find work and employed clients keep their jobs while building skills for long-term success.
We cover the cost of 11 vocational training programs to prepare clients for specific careers. Most recently, we added three apprenticeship programs that will allow students to earn while learning to become a plumber, electrician, or HVAC technician.
All newly admitted Job Training students must first successfully complete BHH Job Readiness. This one-week course imparts workplace soft skills like time management, conflict resolution, customer service, health and wellness, financial management, and a resume building workshop with Job Mentor Greg Morency.
At the end of 2021, we started implementing "booster" classes that will reinforce all the topics learned in Job Readiness as well as provide practical methods for motivation, goal-setting, and confidence building.
After Job Training graduates complete their educational training, they're paired with a BHH Job Mentor to look for jobs, fill out applications, work on their resume, and prepare for interviews.
At the beginning of the year, BHH Job Mentors participated in enrichment training to ensure they provide guidance based upon the curriculum that students have learned and practiced.
BHH recently onboarded a second Admissions & Care Coordinator to help provide students with moral support and connect them with wraparound services if needed, such as vouchers for healthcare, hunger relief services, and financial assistance.
To improve graduates’ chances of gaining employment, we've brought on Volunteer Community Liaison Dr. Sarah Lochner, who identifies companies that align with our programs and could be potential partners. She looks for employers that could offer job placements and information on how to better prepare our students to meet industry job requirements.
In 2021, 86 clients secured employment through the BHH Job Training and Job Mentoring programs. With our additional enhancement components, we aim to keep increasing our program employment numbers. Through new partnerships, we hope to connect more students with potential employment opportunities that are a good fit for them while also filling the needs of local employers.
Supporters of the Boca Helping Hands Job Training Program include the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, The Goldberg Family Foundation, and The Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller of Florida, Inc.
