Oakland Highlights
Mentoring Program
Jewels For Success, a mentoring program, offers a weekly class in which participants discuss social issues. Participants are challenged to reflect on and deal with social issues constructively and improve their adaptive skills with their families. The goal is to give the children of the participant a better life by breaking the cycle of welfare and to provide assistance in achieving self-sufficency. This program was originally designed for expectant mothers who are unable to find employment later in the pregnancy.
Education and Training
The Career Development unit of Workforce Development Services has developed an educational program to offer short term training to help job seekers and employers address everyday human resource challenges. The skills gain will enable participant to gain self confidence and earn higher wages. The programs offered include carpentry framing, modularized machine tool, and advanced training programs.
Training opportunities include:
Advanced Training Program
A 26 week course in Information Technology Microsoft Office Suite which prepares individuals for careers in Information Technology. In recent years, entry-level wages have ranged between $18,000-$24,000 with a comprehensive package. Usually 6 months after placement, graduates are self-sufficent and no longer require most types of public assistance. Over 300 people have received assistance in obtaining the skill needed to begin a career in high tech fields.
The program is the result of an on-going collaboration between a variety of key government and community-based organizations. The scholarship program funded through Work First, is open to individuals currently receiving assistance from The Family Independence Agency (FIA).
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