Each March during Women’s History Month, we reflect on the courage and strength of individuals who are succeeding and persevering. Penny is one of many women who—through hard work and determination—have taken the first steps into their ideal careers by attending the building maintenance training program at JEVS’ career training school, Orleans Technical College.
Penny previously received an undergraduate degree in physical therapy, but realized after her externship that the career was too mundane for her, as patients would always come in with the same issues. After moving to the patient services side of healthcare, she eventually became a senior secretary in the pathology department, but when COVID struck, she decided that was enough.
“COVID hit, and I decided I didn’t want to be here,” said Penny. “However, I didn’t want to go back for more school. We bought our first house in January 2020 and since it needed work, my interest in becoming a carpenter was piqued.”
Penny in the shop classroom at JEVS’ training school, Orleans Technical College.
Real estate investing has always intrigued Penny, so she officially became a realtor in 2021 and decided a trade would help provide a better understanding of the field. Torn between training courses for carpentry or building maintenance, she chose the latter and is thrilled because now she has learned a multitude of basic hands-on skills in the trades and can utilize that knowledge to start investing.
“I was extremely excited to learn that I was receiving a scholarship from Home Depot. I am grateful that a company like them is investing in the education of women in a male-dominant field. I am also thankful because attending Orleans Technical College was a leap of faith. I resigned from my job in healthcare to attend Orleans and go after my passion and a skill set that will ultimately help provide financial freedom to my family and me.”
Penny is one of 46 women who have graduated from Orleans Tech’s various trades training programs since 2017. As far as getting a job after graduating from her training program this month, she’s undecided on which direction to go. She enjoys electrical and carpentry, so she may explore those options further.
“I’ve been sharing my story and so many people are getting excited about the trades. It doesn’t matter how old you are. You can change careers and do something different. I love the idea that I’m learning something that no one can take from me. I can have opportunities no matter what.”
Penny’s story is very inspirational, especially for undergrads who have a bachelor’s that they aren’t content with or can’t find jobs in their fields of study. She chose the trades because she found deep interest in it, not because it is a male dominated trade, but because it’s something she wanted to do. Penny is an example that gender and age shouldn’t determine your interest in what you want to do in life. Penny found her new passion in her trade, and we’re happy that we were able to “make (her) hope happen.”
We sat down with our new President and CEO, Cynthia Figueroa and asked her a few questions. Here’s what she had to say with nearly one month on-the-job at JEVS Human Services.
You have had a distinguished career in the human services sector. What led you to this work?
It is in my DNA. So much of my identity comes from my family’s story, which is one of social justice, equity, opportunity and giving back.
My parents grew up very poor, especially my mother, who was born and raised in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. She didn’t see limitations in her circumstances. My mother and I learned to speak English at the same time, only I was 5 and she was almost 40. I realize now that she made very specific decisions to change her life’s path. At its core, that is what human services work should be about – helping people to find their path, regardless of circumstances.
As difficult as my parents’ lives were, there was a strong sense of responsibility to help others. Our home was open to others who were in transition, and there was always an extra plate for someone who needed it. The collection basket at our church was my earliest sense of philanthropy. Some Sundays my father would put in a dollar, some Sundays it would be five dollars. We were taught that it was always possible to give, despite our own challenges.
And now you’re at JEVS Human Services. What excites you about the opportunity to lead here?
Since its founding, our mission has been about access and maximizing opportunities. The vision of the board of directors and the staff to embrace a leader like me speaks to the true legacy of JEVS. There are so many beautiful, shared experiences of struggle and triumph between Jews [those of whom JEVS was founded to serve] and [we] Latinos. I feel that connection to the organization’s founding values and mission – and with those I’m working with at JEVS.
Beyond the mission, JEVS is poised to grow in so many ways because of the quality of its work and the talent and commitment of our staff and volunteers. My own experiences, working directly with women and children, align so well with the programs and services here. It is thrilling to be leading an organization like this, especially at time when our region needs us more than ever.
Speaking of the needs in the region, JEVS Human Services will no doubt be key as we rebound and recover from the COVID crisis. How do you see JEVS’ role?
The pandemic certainly impacted the non-profit human services sector. Demand went up, clients had emergency needs, and we all had challenges delivering on our mission. Through all of it, JEVS responded with creativity and commitment to those we serve.
So, what’s next? I see a lot of opportunity ahead. What work looks like, how we prepare and match jobseekers to opportunities, and our relationships with employers have all evolved in the past two years. In addition to helping people find and keep work, we are a large employer, so we’re adjusting too. Talking about the future of the workforce involves all of our programs and services, including those programs we haven’t traditionally thought of as “jobs” programs, like our programs for young adults who are disconnected from school and our mental health services. With our range of offerings, plus our own experience as a major employer, we are well-positioned to address the hiring needs of employers and skills gaps that keep people getting hired in the first place.
With a few weeks in your new role, what have you recognized as a key strength at JEVS?
It is the extraordinary staff and volunteers on our board of directors, including many past chairs. All are committed to our mission and all work very hard to make sure that we continue to meet our mission.
We hear you are a big Philadelphia sports fan (we’ve seen the tweets). How are you feeling about the 76ers with James Harden in the line up?
I’m not the walking sports encyclopedia that my son is – he can quote player stats – but I’m super excited about the trade! Harden is bringing some new excitement to a town that loves its sports teams. He’s a superstar and fitting in seamlessly with other leaders on the team. If his first few games with the 76ers are any indication, it is going to be fun to watch. I must add that Doc Rivers is a great coach on the court and leader off the court on issues like racial equity.
We hear these similar stories at JEVS Human Services. Over and over.
“I don’t know what I want to do with my life. I don’t see myself in a career.”
“I can’t afford to go to college. I don’t want to go into debt.”
“I decided to go right to work after high school. Didn’t seem like many other options for me.”
“I dropped out of high school. It wasn’t for me. But now I want to get my life back on track.”
“I tried [college, training, etc.] before and it didn’t work out. I’m scared to go back.”
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for these scenarios. There’s not one magic program we offer that can solve the personal challenges of all of our clients. But, what JEVS has put into place is an expanding portfolio of career and technical education (CTE) offerings that:
teach skills-based careers
create opportunities for individuals to “enter into” JEVS and take advantage of multiple options—paving a pathway—of success.
All with the goal of preparing them for meaningful next steps in life. February is celebrated as Career and Technical Education Month in America, acknowledging a nationwide commitment to equipping students and workers with the skills necessary to fill the jobs our economy is creating and to enable them to reap the benefits of successful careers.
While JEVS’s hallmark CTE programs aim for post-secondary success, we also offer a variety of other initiatives targeting those who may want to eventually obtain a degree, as well as programs working with unique populations toward the goal of self-sufficiency. (See “CTE Programs” section below.)
Students at JEVS’ Orleans Technical College showing their work to an employer who hires dozens of grads, Horizon Services.
JEVS’ Orleans Technical College JEVS’s flagship CTE program operated since 1974 is Orleans Technical College, recognized in 2018 with a national “School of Distinction” honor by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. This post-secondary school prepares adults for careers in the building and construction trades. Students receive intensive, real-world, hands-on training in a curriculum that is informed by local employers and evolves as new technologies, new tools, new ways of doing things, come along. Orleans Tech also partners with local high schools to provide career exploration opportunities in the skilled trades.
Orleans Tech has forged partnerships with service companies and contractors throughout the region to provide entry-level jobs to graduates of the school. As an example of this commitment to workforce development, 78% of the 60 graduates* of one of the school’s training programs were placed into related employment. (* Began electrical training between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020.)
Student participating in the pharmacy tech training program at JEVS EduConnect.
JEVS EduConnect Whether an individual wants to launch a new career or advance in his/her current job, JEVS EduConnect truly has options for everyone! The program connects individuals in Southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware (and beyond!) to short-term or accelerated career education.
With access to accredited degrees—associate, bachelor’s and master’s—through University of Massachusetts Global, certification programs through Clarion University, and training offerings through education partnerships, JEVS EduConnect provides individuals with flexible, affordable, and achievable post-secondary learning that, in turn, may lead directly to in-demand industry credentials, job placement in higher wage positions, or coveted apprenticeship opportunities.
Both online and hybrid modes are available, and courses include a variety of in-demand fields, such as health care, business, management, communications and education. Working with a personal success coach from JEVS, students will be supported toward graduating/completing the career education program with low or no tuition debt.
JEVS will expand its IT training offerings this spring—thanks to a partnership with Jobs for the Future’s initiative to provide access to education in today’s high-wage, high-demand careers. The certification program is free to students, who will train online for 12 weeks, prepare for the leading industry credential CompTIA A+, and have a direct pipeline to employment.
JEVS equips young adults to prepare for industry certifications, such as CompTIA A+, as a starting point for a career in IT.
JEVS Human Services also offers several career and technical education programs where students experience career pathway/career exploration through a comprehensive curriculum, including:
• hands-on skills training
• mentorship & career coaching
• professional development
• community work experiences & internships
This group of young adults represent the new 2022 cohort of JEVS Project WOW. They work on obtaining their GEDs, while gaining hands-on career skills in property maintenance.
These programs combine in-classroom instruction, as well as work-based learning opportunities outside the classroom. In most cases, at the end of the program, participants—many of whom are youth or of disadvantaged populations—may be equipped with certifications, credentials and skills to then move on to a registered apprenticeship, employment and/or higher education (including JEVS’ Orleans Technical College and JEVS EduConnect Program). Some programs are open to young adults without a high school diploma and help them to prepare to take the GED test or high school equivalency, before they complete the program and move on to the next stage.
More information can be found on each by clicking on the program name:
JEVS operates several programs that provide employment support and services, while connecting clients to career and technical education opportunities—whether they are seeking new skills or need to upgrade their skills to succeed in a competitive job market. Examples include hireAbililty, E3 Power Center City, Work Ready, and The Choice is Yours. PA CareerLink in Suburban Station, Center City Philadelphia, operated by JEVS, also connects individuals who have been laid off or who are out of work to JEVS programs or other CTE providers throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.
Still not sure if CTE is right for you? Meet Melissa and learn how CTE worked for her!
Meet Melissa, a mother of four who decided at 43, that she wanted to hone in on her passion for working with her hands so she took a leap and enrolled in JEVS’ Orleans Technical College’s A/C Refrigeration & Heating program in 2018. Watch her video below and read her story in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
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As JEVS Human Services continues to partner with employers—throughout Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey—to facilitate opportunities and hiring solutions for the regional skills gap, we will also continue to evolve Career and Technical Education offerings and connections to prepare students from all walks of life for high-demand employment and/or pathways to career success.
February is Career & Technical Education Month. JEVS Human Services’ flagship program, Orleans Technical College, is considered a Career & Technical school because it is focused on teaching real-world job skills that prepare adults for employment opportunities in growing careers.
People come to Orleans Tech for a number of reasons. For one, Orleans delivers results. Another is that JEVS has been operating the school—serving the Greater Philadelphia region—for over 45 years. Hundreds of students will walk through our doors this year pursuing post-secondary education so that they can get ahead, support their families, and earn a credential that will make them very marketable in the building and construction trades workforce.
Here are seven reasons to consider career and technical education at JEVS’ Orleans Technical College:
1. Job placement
Orleans Tech has a great track record of assisting students to begin their careers. In fact, this is a main component of each training program. Employment specialists work one-on-one with each student to ascertain his/her strengths, put together a résumé that highlights training and skills, then match the student with a local employer offering job openings. Each month, company presidents and HR managers contact Orleans looking for qualified students to come join their teams. This provides an excellent advantage to our students.
2. Learn by doing
Aristotle said, “For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.” Students are taught practical, hands-on skills that are essential for the jobs they want. They get right in there–and get dirty!–experiencing first-hand how to accomplish a task or technique. Instructors teach students the tricks of the trade and how to use their tools and equipment properly. This gives Orleans students a head start in the workforce, because they’ll know WHY and HOW to get a job done. They leave the classroom with the confidence and readiness to jump straight into the workforce.
3. Industry-experienced instructors
Trade school teachers are teaching theory and going through content in the textbook. True. But, their experiences working in the field become invaluable to students’ classroom lessons. (Safely set up at this point per COVID guidelines). Orleans Tech’s instructors bring knowledge and skills from learning on the job. They share their successes and talk to students about how things get done in the real world. Nothing beats an instructor who is passionate about his or her craft (and enjoys sharing it with others).
4. Job demand
Orleans Tech is a vocational school that provides training in areas that are in high demand in the regional workforce. Orleans currently teaches five different courses in the building trades industry where job openings are due to increase by 4-8% over the next decade. Wondering which of these trades might be best for you? Take our quick, fun quiz to see.(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, “Occupational Outlook Handbook,” 2020 Edition)
5. Cost
For the 2020-21 academic year, the average cost for one year of a college degree education (including tuition and fees) was estimated to be $11,171 at public institutions. This is comparable to the cost to complete a career training program at Orleans Tech. What a return on investment! With the concerns these days of keeping student loan debt low, a trades education may be a wise, and more affordable, choice for many. (Source: U.S. News & World Report, 2020)
6. Time
An associate degree can take 2 years, a bachelor’s 4. Orleans offers 6-month programs of intense training. This quick turnaround is very doable for those whose current jobs or family obligations may prevent them from going to school for years on end. Plus, our CTE school offers training during the day or evening to accommodate life’s busy schedules!
7. Rolling admissions
Unlike traditional academic calendars with classes starting in September and January, every month Orleans Tech is starting a new class. This means that applications are accepted and reviewed all year long. Admissions and financial services representatives work with each student individually to help them navigate the enrollment and financial aid processes so that they can focus on starting their training sooner rather than later.
Learn more about Orleans Tech’s career and technical education in this video:
How can JEVS help you to look ahead toward positive possibilities? Here are 6 opportunities to make 2022 the year of YOU!
2020 and 2021 were years like no other. While the flip of the calendar doesn’t make the pandemic and other challenges go away, JEVS Human Services does have many exciting educational opportunities and employment services to help you look forward to a light at the end of the tunnel.
Be sure to click on the link at the end of each paragraph to get more info.
1. Career Training for Young Adults
We are enrolling for two different, no-cost programs starting in January 2022 that help those ages 18 to 24 build career pathways into in-demand fields. Our IT Pre-Apprenticeship program assists individuals in gaining job training in information technology. Students can earn industry certifications, benefit from a paid internship, and have direct access to apprenticeship opportunities. Our Project WOW (World of Work) program is for Philadelphia residents who did not complete high school and offers high school equivalency test preparation, hands-on skills in property maintenance and repair, industry certifications, and job placement. > Click here to request IT Pre-Apprenticeship info > Click here to request Project WOW info
2. Certifications for Those Seeking Health Care Careers
Thinking about how you can get a well paying job in the health care field, without a degree? JEVS EduConnect is starting two certification programs in January that can be completed in a quick period of time. Both our medical billing & coding training program and pharmacy technician program are offered online with the support of a success coach to keep you motivated and on track with your assignments. The programs offer a direct pipeline to employment upon completion. Plus! Opportunities to earn a national or industry-recognized credential that could help with you move up the corporate ladder or land you a promotion!
Whether you want to launch a new career or advance in your current job, you can pursue a degree through JEVS EduConnect and our network of accredited universities. This opportunity features online project-based learning, multiple degree paths (associate, bachelor’s or master’s), and in-demand courses of study. All with an affordable price tag! The main feature of this unique program is the built-in support system…a success coach…who mentors and guides students through every step of their educational journey. With rolling admissions, you can get started on enrolling and beginning the program right away.
PA CareerLink® Suburban Station, operated by JEVS Human Services, provides comprehensive services to those seeking work. Career counselors assist individuals to create a customized career plan, and can guide you through the process of accessing any supports or benefits you may be eligible for, as well as connect you with job openings that would be a good fit for you. CareerLink also assists individuals to navigate available resources specifically for veterans, persons with disabilities, 55+, youth and young adults, immigrants, returning citizens (reentry), and more.
Through JEVS’ 3 Cups of Coffee® program, you can be paired with a compatible mentor who will provide you with supports to help you through that last step in the process of finding the perfect job. Almost 80 percent of jobs today are filled through connections before the job is even posted. Whether you are unemployed or underemployed, mentors can connect you with those in your field of choice to grow your professional network in 2022, and find that inside edge.
JEVS Career Strategies program has a great lineup of free virtual workshops this January 2022 to help those looking to change jobs or careers, or who want a fresh start in the new year. With topics like writing a winning resume and improving your virtual interviewing, individuals will learn how to effectively focus on achievements and tell impressive success stories that really stand out. One webinar, “Staying Motivated and Setting Goals for Your Job Search,” will help people learn how to manage job search anxiety and foster a positive attitude.
In our Executive Q&A series, we talk with chief leaders across JEVS Human Services about programs, services and initiatives that are “making hope happen” for our clients and those in need throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. This month, we spoke with our new Senior Vice President of Career & Technical Education, Christine Gillespie.
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Q. What attracted you to JEVS Human Services?
A. My entire career has been dedicated to promoting self-agency and encouraging preparation for life’s opportunities and responsibilities. Part of the equation for long-term success in the labor market is education, which can mean foundational skills, technical skills or even advanced degrees or certificates. JEVS was founded to assist those in need to find and keep good jobs. Today JEVS is a critical support network, focused on helping individuals realize their vocational and personal potential. JEVS is the perfect place for me to bring the passion for my life’s work.
Q. Your role at JEVS is about creating opportunities for job seekers to build skills to get ahead. What challenges do you see in helping people rebound from pandemic-related unemployment?
A. The pandemic has forced us to reevaluate so many aspects of our day-to-day lives, both at work and at home. One of the biggest challenges of these times is to accept that the choices we made five or ten years ago may no longer work for ourselves and our families. While difficult, this is a great opportunity to reexamine our values and goals and adjust. When thinking about your employment options, you might ask yourself:
Can I support myself and my family as I would like in my current situation?
What talents and skills do I have to offer to an employer or others?
If I choose to make a change, what am I willing to do? Do I need to acquire new skills? What about work-life balance and the “logistics” of employment such as commute time?
Who can help me develop and implement my plan? What supports will I need to make a change?
Q. How does life-long learning fit in?
A. Now more than ever, investing in ourselves to support life-long learning is critical. We must all continue to be curious, learn new skills and stay current in whatever field we choose. While no job is “pandemic-proof” some fields have withstood the challenges of the past two years, like the building trades. Our Orleans Technical College is a great place to acquire skills that are in high demand in the various trades careers. These jobs can also be a springboard to entrepreneurship, management roles or higher education.
For others, life-long learning is about building new skills to get ahead in the field in which they are already working. In this case, finding flexible, affordable ways to learn like with our EduConnect program can help you to advance on your chosen career path. Finally, there are many so-called white and grey-collar apprenticeship opportunities with companies that need employees and are willing to hire them now and train them on the job. These jobs allow workers to earn and learn in a new field.
Q. Since it is January, we must ask…any New Year’s resolutions to share?
A. It is not a New Year’s resolution per se, but since I’m new in my role at JEVS, this year I’m focused on encouraging an innovative environment for my team to collaborate and share resources, creating leading-edge programs and opportunities for those we serve. I want to be sure we are capitalizing on what we do well and providing seamless pathways for jobseekers to build the skills they need to connect with regional employers. And I’m hoping to have my original 1991 Miata roadworthy in time for that first warm day this spring!
You know that feeling when you’re patiently standing to the side as your prescription is filled at the pharmacy.
Or, waiting to hear whether your insurance company will cover the medicine your doctor just ordered for you.
Or, visiting the drive-thru late at night to buy the right remedy for a loved one sick at home.
All of these scenarios rely on the skills of a workforce dedicated to helping Americans have a better quality of life. Individuals who have the enormous responsibility of dispensing prescription medication to customers or health professionals…in a precise and often fast timeframe. They work in pharmacies, including those found in drug stores, big box retailers, grocery markets, and in hospitals, as well as mail-order fulfillment centers. With increased demand in medications, especially as our society ages, so will the demand for pharmaceutical goods and services.
To meet the rising need for pharmacy workers (with a projected job growth average over the next ten years of four percent*), JEVS Human Services began a pharmacy tech training program to feed the talent pipeline. The program prepares students to become Certified Pharmacy Technicians through classroom instruction, 165 hours of training, and job placement assistance. Serving more than 25,000 program participants each year—representing populations such as low-income adults, veterans, returning citizens and individuals with disabilities—JEVS is well positioned to provide a diverse pool of candidates for pharmacy technician careers that constantly need filling.
JEVS’s first cohort of pharmacy technician trainees are half-way through a 10-week program, that includes online instruction, as well as hands-on practice in a mock pharmacy. Students are supported by the guidance and motivation by success coaches in the JEVS EduConnect program.
For Nasriyn M., a 31-year-old from the Germantown neighborhood in Philadelphia, the opportunity for training–which is currently at no cost thanks to grant funding from CVS–couldn’t have come at a better time.
“I had been taking classes at Community College of Philadelphia for early childhood education, but stopped when my children switched to remote learning,” she said. “I’ve done the home health care job, but it’s a lot of physical demand. This career path is very appealing.”
Nasriyn is determined and excited about this new direction in her life. She recently started a small lemonade business with her 5 and 9-year-olds and have had some success getting it into local shops. But, the idea to start a new career while she pays down her college loan debt? “Pharmacy techs are in demand, and I could go anywhere with it, she said. Once you get your foot in the door, there’s a lot of potential.”
For Patricia, at age 50 after working the last 20 years for 9-1-1, a pivot to a new health care related profession was much needed. “I’ve been on the line with many sick, injured, you name it. I need this new career path to put my energies into helping people to get better.”
Instructor David London, who has worked for Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for 33 years, explains “Once you learn the skill set and understand the process involved—from the time someone receives a script to the time you hand it to them—there is more than enough work for you. My students are seeing the inner workings from the other side of the counter. I’m not only covering the metric system for medicine in-depth, but the computer data system, insurance look-up, dosing/packaging, and, most of all, customer service.”
Nigel Huenke, an apprentice at Neu Dynamics Corporation, who is close to completing the program using a CNC Machine.
One year ago when the pandemic hit, and Americans were applauding the lifesaving efforts of our health care workers, all eyes were also focused on manufacturing. How fast could production go for essentials like respirators, personal protection equipment (PPE), and germ sanitizers, as well as items we needed at home like paper products and food.
In these cases, factories were working overtime. And, today, demand continues for production workers, machine operators, logistics and more as manufacturers rethink and refocus how to sustain in an industry rocked by COVID.
Aligned with our mission to assist individuals in obtaining employment, JEVS Human Services has been working with small to medium-sized manufacturing businesses in the region to feed the pipeline of a diverse workforce with apprentices. Through our innovative Tri-State Apprenticeship Program, we currently support four manufacturing occupations: Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Machine Operator, Machinist, and Tool and Die Maker. Positions projected to grow 13 percent over the next ten years, with annual mean wages in Pennsylvania of $50-56,000*.
How Does it Work?
As an apprenticeship intermediary, JEVS collaborates with employers to train, develop, and support their employees. The apprenticeship includes 144 hours of related technical instruction, structured on-the-job-learning, and mentorship that ensures the apprentice obtains an important credential in the manufacturing industry, the journey worker certificate.
JEVS is able to leverage grant funding to offset some of the employers’ training and onboarding costs. Presently, we have funding from the state and the U.S. Department of Labor to support employers hiring new apprentices. Therefore, the cost is minimal to the manufacturing business, and they gain trained workers with the potential to grow and advance within the company.
JEVS Tri-State Apprenticeship Program has facilitated apprenticeships with the following manufacturers:
Tri-Kris
Neu Dynamics Corporation
H-V Industries, Crown Cork and Seal
CHL Systems
EKL Machine
ifm prover
KMM
Milton Roy
New Way Air Bearings
Southco
Dennis Murphy, plant superintendent with H-V Industries, Crown Cork and Seal, mentors Vince Dando with the support of JEVS Tri-State Apprenticeship Program. Dando is training for a machinist position.
“I started out as just a shipper/receiver,” said Dando. “The opportunity came up to learn a trade and further myself in a career where I could eventually have a full-time job as a machinist and hopefully move on to other things from there. I love seeing and knowing about the different machines coming into the shop, so I can get excited to learn how to run them and different aspects of what the machines can do.”
Services to Employers
The post-COVID economy will benefit from individuals, like Dando, who possess the technical skills manufacturing employers need to rebound and grow. To push the concept of apprenticeships further—as an approach to talent development that fuels businesses with diverse and knowledgeable workers—partnership and dedication are key.
“JEVS is working with business owners, educators, individuals in workforce development, as well as key individuals in the public and private sector, to cement pathways to in-demand employment for so many in our region,” said Edison Freire, director of gateway initiatives at JEVS.
“Our mission is to be innovative and collaborate with manufacturers to offer optimum savings with economies of scale solutions.”
JEVS Tri-State Apprenticeship Program provides the following in support of employers building a highly qualified workforce specific to their needs.
Technical assistance to develop new manufacturing apprenticeships and to prepare workforce development applications for on-the-job learning funds.
Administration and tracking of the Registered Apprenticeship reporting requirements.
Sourcing of candidates; evaluation of potential barriers of apprentice candidates and assisting in the mitigation of those barriers.
Comprehensivementoring training and ongoing support for new and experienced mentors, as well as support to ensure a productive apprentice/mentor pairing.
Access, setup, and orientation to an online training solutions, providing apprentice and their mentors access to over 500+ industry-recognized courses.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — West Philadelphia residents in need of technology support during the COVID-19 pandemic got some help Thursday from the city.
Edison Freire, with the not-for-profit JEVS Human Services, says 15 laptop computers were distributed to community organizations in the area.
“The Chromebooks are donated through the city’s effort, PHLDonateTech,” he said.
PHLDonateTech is a city initiative that gathers donated computers from residents and businesses to give to families and people in need across Philadelphia.
When the pandemic hit, Drexel University outreach coordinator Jeffrey Jordan said, he had to close down his office. He turned his porch into his office. That’s where he distributed the computers.
“I give community leaders stuff to distribute with everything from bleach to masks to toys,” he said. “And now, Chromebooks.”
Jordan says these computers are not for kids.
“We’re giving (the Chromebooks) to adults who would normally be active in the community,” Jordan said.
Pamela Andrews, chair of West Powelton Saunders Park Registered Community Organization, was among those who picked up a laptop for her organization. She says she will use it to help organize financials and help engage people through virtual meetings.
“It is extremely important right now,” she said, “because that’s pretty much the only way people are going to have pretty much any face-to-face contact.”
Perhaps even more valuable than the devices is the tech support on offer.
Charmain Ramey is one of about 20 volunteers on the tech support crew for the Chromebook recipients. It’s their job to help disadvantaged people unlock the value of these digital resources.
She enumerated some of the many applications for the training they provide.
“Being able to find a job, to being able to find affordable housing, to being able to find medical resources, mental wellness resources, find ways to socially connect,” she said.
She says they’re starting from the basics to help bridge the racial, socioeconomic and generational divides that have been so apparent through the COVID-19 crisis.
“Some people have iPhones but don’t even have an idea of all the capabilities of the iPhone,” Ramey said.
She and the other volunteers will help make sure recipients know how to navigate the devices, how to send email, even how to go online and make purchases.
