Graduation Day at Training, Inc.

by Charlotte Simpson

Tonya's Success Story:

On welfare for ten years, Tonya entered Training, Inc. as a single mother with four children and one grandchild. After years of domestic abuse, she lacked skills and confidence. She was also recovering from substance abuse. Tonya was determined, however, to move ahead and make a better life for herself and her family. With multiple layers of support offered through the Training, Inc. curriculum, she approached her course work with enthusiasm and entered her internship ready to establish a solid work reference. She graduated with a job paying $10.00/hour and was one of four graduation speakers chosen to represent her class. Tonya's ability to organize her family and work through stressful situations became a major asset to her employer.

"I had a job; because of Training, Inc. I now have a career. I can support myself and my family.
We can all be together, and I can be a good father to my children."

"I came to this country just a year ago. Thanks to Training, Inc.
I have learned valuable skills, my English has improved, and I have a good job."

These comments were made by two of the forty graduates of Training, Inc. at their recent graduation ceremony that I attended at the Park Plaza Hotel.

Besides hearing these wonderful tributes, I was able to learn more about why Training Inc.'s program is so successful in getting people off the welfare roles. Training, Inc. provides comprehensive training in computer programs and job readiness skills. The actual job skills, such as use of Word and Excel, are just a part of the process. After receiving the basic training, each trainee does an unpaid internship — works for three hours each day for several weeks with an Employer Participant.

Cheryl's Success Story
Cheryl was a victim of domestic abuse, living in a shelter with her nine year old son, when she started Training, Inc. She sought safe, independent housing, and a concrete set of skills in order to leave welfare and care for her son. In Training, Inc.'s supportive environment, she quickly excelled in all skill areas and was named General Manager of our office simulation project. As she discovered her distinct talents, she also flourished by leading and encouraging others. By making use of resources available through Training, Inc. Cheryl was able to find safe housing, secure a restraining order, and move forward with her career goals. She accepted a job offering $28,000 per year, was promoted within one year, and now lives with her son in their own two-bedroom apartment. Cheryl recently contributed to our ongoing operations by facilitating the donation and delivery of office furniture from her employer to the Training, Inc. site.

The program sounds pretty standard up to this point. But I'm convinced that the real secret to its success is the network of support provided to each trainee. Each trainee is matched with a volunteer Employer Liaison (mentor) who meet once every two weeks for one hour. The Employer Liaison helps introduce the trainee to the business world and provides assistance in coping with a job search. On a weekly basis, each trainee meets with a volunteer Tutor to receive help with English conversation, writing or math. A Practice Interviewer helps trainees prepare questions to ask, equips the trainee with answers to possible questions, and conducts mock interviews. Job Search Assistants help trainees with such fundamentals as: how to get an application, how to complete an application, writing a resume, and compiling references. It is this comprehensive training that has led to over 2,000 graduates from over 30 different countries to obtain meaningful jobs in metropolitan Boston.

Hanh's Success Story

With English as her second language, inconsistent child-care, and a bad credit history, Hanh's transition to the world of work was not easy. Her volunteer English tutor played a key role in helping Hanh onto a successful career path. Hanh's tutor helped her find appropriate child-care before she began her internship. The involvement of committed child-care workers in turn helped Hanh to resolve her own problems of domestic abuse. The Training, Inc. team aided Hanh in improving her English and developed a workable payment plan to resolve her credit problems. She strengthened her vocabulary and her confidence and performed exceptionally well as a Training, Inc. receptionist. Hanh is now employed in an Accounts Payable position and earns $21,000 per year. She and her tutor often see each other on weekends and her son always accompanies them. Quality training, combined with layers of support, gave Hanh's story a successful resolution.

I've included with this article, three of the forty success stories of this graduating class as told in the Training Inc. materials to show you how this marvelous program can turn people's lives around. Old South Church helped start Training, Inc. in 1984. We have also provided them with lower cost downtown office space at 294 Washington St., although now with our sale of that building, they are scrambling to find equivalent space at the same cost. We can be genuinely pleased with their continued success in providing training to unemployed or underemployed adults in Metropolitan Boston. If you would like to learn more or volunteer to help them, please see me or call Linda Smith at Training Inc. directly at (617)542-1800. +

To contact the author, click here Charlotte Simpson

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