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Programs JEVS Care at Home About Support JEVS

Author: Jade Daniels

Preparing Students for In-Demand Healthcare Careers: Stephanie’s Story

Posted on by Jade Daniels

JEVS Human Services offers short-term healthcare certification options to prepare you for a variety of healthcare careers. Participants like Stephanie can take hybrid courses to become a Sterile Processing Technician, Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA), or Phlebotomist. Read more about Stephanie’s experience in JEVS EduConnect below. 

What made you want to enroll in the Sterile Processing Technician program at JEVS? 

I wanted to get into the healthcare field, but I didn’t want to be working directly with patients. I also love to clean and keep things organized so I knew that this program would be perfect for me. 

Did you find the hybrid schedule helpful for you? 

As a single mom the hybrid schedule was definitely helpful. I was able to work a part time job, be a mom, and attend the program. 

Did you benefit from having a support coach? 

I definitely benefited from having a support coach. He was always available whenever I needed anything.   

What was your experience like? 

I had a great experience. I really loved learning about the body and surgery instruments. The teacher even at one point had a mock decontamination demonstration during one of our labs and it really gave me an idea of what I would be dealing with in the field. 

What advice would you have for someone interested in enrolling in the program? 

My only advice to anyone enrolling into the program would to be make sure that you are available to be working evening or night shift because I don’t know why but for some reason, I didn’t know that there aren’t many day time shifts available. They usually hire the more experienced techs for the day shift. Which turned out to be fine for me because my family is really supportive and going to help me with child care. Also, no everyone in the class is guaranteed an externship. You need to really stand out by showing up early, and answering every question first while at the same time being a team player and help others. 

Where are you working now and do you feel like the program prepared you to be successful? 

After my externship at the University of Pennsylvania I was given a job offer to start this May. The program definitely set me up to be successful, but I also worked really hard for it. If this isn’t something that you’re fully committed to then I wouldn’t recommend it because it’s hard work.  

If you’re ready to start training for in-demand healthcare careers visit this link and get started today! 

Training Philadelphia Students for Rewarding Healthcare Careers at CHOP

Posted on by Jade Daniels

JEVS Human Services trains Philadelphia high school students for rewarding and in-demand healthcare careers.

Through an initiative from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Mastery Hardy Williams High School will combine healthcare career knowledge and job-training with a high-quality, well-rounded high school experience for students in Philadelphia. JEVS is working with this project as a certification partner offering training and externship opportunities to seniors at Mastery schools giving students interested in healthcare the skills they need to succeed.

Students are trained as Clinical Medical Assistants and Sterile Processing Technicians and graduate from Mastery with relevant skills, experience, and an opportunity for an industry-recognized credential. As part of their training, select students will have the opportunity to be considered for hands-on experience through externships at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Currently, several students from the program have passed their certification exams and immediately began the onboarding process at CHOP.

JEVS’ mission is to work with individuals to create sustainable paths to independence and economic security, and this initiative helps Philadelphia youth, and their families achieve that goal.

Learn more about career training opportunities at JEVS.

Learn more about the Health Institute at Hardy.

Empowering Industry: How Apprenticeships Shape Manufacturing’s Future

Posted on by Jade Daniels

JEVS Human Services hosted a group of local employers and workforce development professionals for a roundtable discussion. The discussion focused on how apprenticeships shape the future of manufacturing and how companies benefit from adding apprentices to their workforce. 

JEVS Director of Apprenticeships, Valry Leroy, led the conversation about JEVS’ role as an intermediary in the Philadelphia apprenticeship ecosystem. She also shared how we provide training for in-demand skills through our Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs like Orleans Technical College, Project WOW, and IT Pre-Apprenticeship.  

The roundtable also shed light on the variety of benefits employers gain from hiring apprentices like developing a highly skilled workforce, enhancing their productivity, and gaining a competitive advantage. Philadelphia Works, Inc. (PWI), also shared a variety of services they offer to businesses who have registered apprenticeships, one of them being help with finding funding.  

This employer roundtable created an environment of collaboration, discussion, and opportunity around apprenticeships.  

If you’re interested in finding highly skilled apprentices to join your company, visit this link to contact one of our apprenticeship specialists: https://www.jevshumanservices.org/program/apprenticeships/  

Senator Jimmy Dillon Announces Grant to Support Security and Connectivity at JEVS Orleans Technical College

Posted on by Jade Daniels

Senator Jimmy Dillon announced $3,000,107 in Local Share Account (LSA) funding for five essential projects across Northeast Philadelphia. These projects are supported by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and aim to support a healthy environment, job training, arts education, historic preservation, and community services. JEVS Human Services will receive $52,132 to enhance security and connectivity at Orleans Technical College through the installation of electronic scan card systems, security cameras, and wireless access points.

Click here to read the full announcement.

Going Above and Beyond Teaching Youth and Young Adults: Meet Keiana 

Posted on by Jade Daniels

JEVS Project WOW is a program designed to meet Philadelphia youth where they are. Our program provides out-of-school youth with their high school diploma equivalency and property maintenance and repair training at our trades school Orleans Technical College.  

This program is not possible without supportive and dedicated team members like Keiana, the Academic Facilitator for the program. She has taken the role even further by becoming a safe space, support system, and mentor for participants. We talked with her about why she chose this path and what participants can expect when enrolling in WOW.  

  1. What is your role at JEVS?

I am the Academic Facilitator for Project Wow. I would say my role is multifaceted. My primary role is to effectively teach students fundamental skills that align with the curriculum and educational standards to help them earn their high school diploma. In addition to teaching, I serve as a mentor, role model, and much more. 

  1. Why did you choose to work with youth programming at JEVS?

I have a sincere passion for working with young people. I have always pursued a career in education, that positively impacts society. I believe JEVS’ mission and vision to help people connect to opportunity and cultivate independence aligns perfectly with my values. Teaching gives me the chance to make a difference in someone else’s life – and that is something money cannot buy. Watching them grow as individuals is such an incredible and rewarding experience. 

  1. What can participants expect to gain from Project WOW?

Participants can expect to gain valuable and essential life skills that will empower them to become more self-sufficient and capable of managing their own lives. Participants can also expect to gain improved confidence and self-esteem, a sense of belonging, and a wonderful team to support them through their journey. 

  1. What advice do you have for Philadelphia youth trying to find their path?

The best advice I can give is to embrace the unknown and be open to change, don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone to try something new. It is also very important to find an adult mentor, someone who you know has your best interest at heart and can offer a helping hand. Lastly, it is never too late to start over, you have the power to turn your life around and design it the way you want. 

  1. What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is the positive teacher-student relationships I have made with each one of my students. There isn’t a one-size-fits- all when it comes to building bonds with students. Each student has a unique story, which deserves a unique relationship. Without a solid foundation, respect, and trust learning can’t take place. I am honored that my students trust my judgement to help guide and navigate them through a crucial development stage as they transition into adulthood. 

If you or a loved one could benefit from JEVS Project WOW, visit this link to get started today! 

Sisters Creating Bright Futures  

Posted on by Jade Daniels

JEVS Human Services and Orleans Technical College provide programs that help Philadelphia youth and young adults learn skills, gain their high school diploma, and discover career pathways. 

This remained true with sisters Francheska and Chasidy, who completed JEVS Project WOW and enrolled in the Clinical Medical Assistant program at Orleans Technical College. Both sisters did not complete high school but knew they wanted to continue their learning and find a new path for their future. Francheska affectionately known as Frenchie, made the leap into WOW first and Chasidy followed two years later.  

Both sisters attribute WOW to being the reason they stayed motivated and completed both programs, “WOW was amazing, they gave me so much support and pushed you to succeed. This program will change your personality and make you want to work harder for yourself. They really become family,” they shared.  

Though they learned property maintenance and repair skills in WOW, the sisters knew they had a passion for healthcare especially after spending so much time with their sister in the hospital. This led them to enroll in the Clinical Medical Assistant program at Orleans Tech where they got to learn medical skills to prepare them for a rewarding healthcare career. When asked what is needed to thrive in the healthcare field they shared, “Be empathetic and passionate about the work and people who need help. Some people just need someone to be kind to them and you can be that person.” 

Now Chasidy is headed to an externship at Temple Health while Francheska is headed to Penn Medicine. Both have been fully equipped with the support and training to continue learning and growing in their respective careers and create their own bright futures.  

Pre-Apprentices Preparing for Rewarding Healthcare Careers 

Posted on by Jade Daniels

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offered by JEVS Human Services are designed to provide individuals with in-demand skills that employers are looking for. Our programs include apprenticeships where students can earn while they learn and healthcare programs for students interested in careers as pharmacy technicians and phlebotomists. 

Through a partnership with JEVS EduConnect and Apprenticeships programs and our employer partner, CVS Health, we are preparing a new group of pre-apprentices with professional development services before they head to experiential learning with CVS Health. This partnership provides our students with opportunities to enter apprenticeships as full time CVS employees while preparing for the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam. 

JEVS CTE programs offer a wide range of skills training for individuals with one shared goal of getting them employed. 

If you’re interested in exploring CTE pathways at JEVS, visit this link to get started today! 

Explore Your Creative Passions at JEVS Design Lab 

Posted on by Jade Daniels

In the JEVS Design Lab, the sticky note sketcher, the small business starter, and the creative designer within us all can bring ideas to life.  

Whether you have a passion you want to explore, an idea you want to build, or a skill you want to develop, our makerspace brings out the creator in you. Our communal workshop is the only one of its kind located in Northeast Philadelphia. We welcome our community members to come and work on projects.  

Each month we will hold workshops in vinyl cutting, laser cutting, 3D printing, and more. Each workshop allows participants to create projects that they can walk away with. Available machines include: 

  • Laser cutters 
  • Vinyl cutters 
  • CNC machines that cut wood  
  • 3D printers that use many different plastics including PLA and Nylon  
  • Sublimation printers which print on fabric  

JEVS Design Lab draws an intersection between technology, art, and career skill. It is also an ideal location for after-school programs and teambuilding activities. 

If you’re interested in attending workshops at JEVS Design Lab, visit this link to register today! 

From IT Training to IT Intern: Meet Khandaker  

Posted on by Jade Daniels

JEVS Human Services (JEVS) provides free IT training for qualified individuals interested in obtaining their CompTia A+ and Google certifications. Both certifications provide you with the skills to start your IT career. 

Individuals like Khandaker chose to enroll in JEVS EduConnect’s IT training courses to help him gain skills and guide his career path.  

Khandaker completed the CompTia A+ certificate and credits the skills he learned to his current internship with JEVS in the Information Technology department. In this role, he works directly with JEVS staff to help with technical issues and getting new employees’ computers set up.  

While in his internship, his supervisor encouraged him to enroll in the Google certificate course which is made up of modules, practice questions, labs, and assessments entirely online. He also completed this certificate successfully while maintaining his internship.  

With both certifications completed, Khandaker can integrate the skills he learned into his role at JEVS and throughout his IT career.  

Get started on your free IT training today!  

Learn While You Earn: New Electronic Technician Upskilling Program

Posted on by Jade Daniels
By Saptarshi Dutt, City of Philadelphia Office of Human Resources

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) recently launched a new upskilling program for its Electronic Technicians. This initiative is designed to empower entry-level City employees with advanced skills necessary for the evolving electronic industry, with the goal of creating a highly competitive and productive skilled workforce.

On June 26, 2024, employees from the Airport, Water, and Streets Departments kicked off this new series, facilitated by a partnership with JEVS Human Services and Orleans Technical College.

This six-month, hybrid program is offered at no cost to participants and aims to equip City employees with advanced skills in the electronic industry. The curriculum is meticulously designed to cover a range of skills, including the design, installation, troubleshooting, replacement, upgrade, and maintenance of electrical equipment in various settings such as residential, commercial, and public establishments.

The program structure includes:

  • In-Person Training: 25 three-hour electronics classes and 25 four-hour electrical classes.
  • Online Training: 10 hours of OSHA training and 65 hours of Tooling U courses.
  • On-the-Job Training (OJT): Specialized skill-based training.
  • Methodology: A combination of lectures, labs, case studies, simulation software, interactive workshops, webinars, and hands-on training.
  • Assessments: Quizzes, tests, and projects to evaluate progress and proficiency.

Participants will also benefit from supervised on-the-job training, mentorship, tutoring, career advice, and job placement assistance. They are provided with necessary tools and equipment, including laptops, to support their learning journey.

The first cohort’s classroom session saw enthusiastic participation, and the OHR plans to continue hosting these upskilling programs for a wide variety of employees in the future including an upcoming program for Surveyor 1 level workers. This initiative represents a significant step towards building a future-ready workforce in Philadelphia.

Along with our upskilling programming the City of Philadelphia will soon be launching our first ever City College for Municipal Employment (CCME). It’s being developed to help future employees get the skills they need, and also a great way to start a career with the City of Philadelphia. Careers here come with good salaries, opportunity for growth, great benefits, and much more!

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