During the Fall 2010 term, the Education Exchange, a non-profit provider of adult education and job skills training programs in southern Rhode Island, initiated a Job Readiness Program, funded through a grant from the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program. The Job Readiness Program was developed to help undereducated, unemployed, and under-skilled workers in Washington County become more productive members of the workforce through literacy skills development, computer training, and job skills training.
Eight adults successfully completed the program, which included: academic training, computer skills training, career exploration, a presentation and discussion with an HR representative from a large local employer, participation in mock interviews conducted by the Education Exchange Board and staff, and preparation of portfolios of work samples from the program (including job applications, resumes, and cover letters).
Participants also made final presentations to their peers and members of the Education Exchange staff and Board of Directors. The presentations included powerful testimony about the impact of the program. Mr. Nate Price (who earned his GED with honors while participating in the program) expressed a sentiment shared by many of his peers when he said, “[this program is] going to move me forward to what I want to do in life.”
Based on the success of the pilot program funded by the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program, the Education Exchange will continue to offer work readiness training, with support from a South Kingstown Community Development Block Grant. The organization is also seeking additional funding to support outreach efforts to local employers, which will allow the Work Readiness instructor to incorporate additional workplace training opportunities, including informational interviews, job coaching and mentoring, and job shadowing.
The Work Readiness program also complements the Education Exchange Transition to College & Career program, by providing basic skills training while allowing participants to explore the opportunities available to them if they pursue additional education and training. The program offers previously underserved residents of Washington County the opportunity to pursue the 47% of Rhode Island job openings that are projected to be for “middle skill” jobs – those requiring more than a high school diploma, but less than a 4-year degree – by 2016. (National Skills Coalition, Skills2Compete, RI’s Forgotten Middle Skills Jobs, 2009)
Visit www.EdExRI.org to learn more about the Education Exchange and its programs, including: GED Preparation and testing, Transition to College & Career, ESL & EL Civics, computer training, Microsoft Certification, and work readiness training.
About the Education Exchange
The Education Exchange was founded in 1978 to offer literacy training, skills development, and GED preparation and testing to adults throughout southern Rhode Island. With sites in Peace Dale, Westerly, and North Kingstown, the Education Exchange provides education and training to help adults with diverse experiences and abilities gain essential skills, secure and retain employment, pursue postsecondary education and training, and participate more fully in the community. Programs at the Education Exchange include: GED preparation and testing, ESL and EL Civics, Transition to College & Career, Work Readiness Training, Pre-CNA Training, Microsoft certification, computer instruction, and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). More information is available online at www.EdExRI.org or by calling 401-783-0293.
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