TechWorks - A New Way to Build IT Support Talent Pipelines
|
TechWorks is a first-of-its-kind IT support workforce initiative that quickly prepares entry-level trainees for success through hands-on learning, stackable credentials, individualized support, and an engaging and robust curriculum that builds contextualized technical and soft skills.
Graduates of the proposed, 4-certification TechWorks will enter the workforce with the industry-standard IT support credential, improved business communication skills, and modern job search tools to quickly land a good-paying job and grow in their IT career. The innovative curriculum leads to four industry-recognized certifications through 252-hours of classroom-based training. Students will dedicate 35 hours of their time each week, with 3 full days of classroom-based training and 2 days of independent and group-based study. Classroom training is scheduled from 9:00am-4:00pm Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. In addition to building cutting-edge job search skills, strong job placement outcomes will be achieved by also including partner employers within the program to open doors of opportunity for our participants. Successful participants will graduate with four high-value credentials: .
|
|
Supports for Students with Barriers to Employment
TechWorks is not a typical, off-the-shelf training program. The TechWorks initiative is a robust, first-of-its-kind, and student-centered workforce program that incorporates a range of supports and curriculum elements to foster exceptional student outcomes.
Throughout each of JobWorks’ training initiatives, participants who have barriers to employment and challenged by the curriculum are supported with multiple programmatic layers to encourage their success in the program, such as:
During the TechWorks initiative, students have access to individualized coaching sessions with their expert facilitator outside of class to help reinforce any difficult material. Furthermore, to assess each students’ readiness to complete their certification exam, comprehensive practice exams will be used. Should a student be behind in their learning, the instructor will assign targeted readings or perform one-on-one tutoring to overcome any knowledge gaps. Unlike most other training providers, JobWorks closely monitors the progress of each training program and adjusts the lesson plans, schedule, and facilitation to meet the specific needs of the students attending that particular class – resulting in an experience that is entirely customized to each cohort.
Throughout each of JobWorks’ training initiatives, participants who have barriers to employment and challenged by the curriculum are supported with multiple programmatic layers to encourage their success in the program, such as:
- One-on-one coaching and remediation outside of standard hours
- e-learning opportunities via a dedicated web portal
- Exam retake vouchers
- Peer-supported online discussions
- Resource referrals to community-based organizations
- Practice certification exams and test preparation techniques
- Adaptive lesson plans (ALPs)
- Facilitation style tailored to the needs and challenges of those with diverse learning styles
During the TechWorks initiative, students have access to individualized coaching sessions with their expert facilitator outside of class to help reinforce any difficult material. Furthermore, to assess each students’ readiness to complete their certification exam, comprehensive practice exams will be used. Should a student be behind in their learning, the instructor will assign targeted readings or perform one-on-one tutoring to overcome any knowledge gaps. Unlike most other training providers, JobWorks closely monitors the progress of each training program and adjusts the lesson plans, schedule, and facilitation to meet the specific needs of the students attending that particular class – resulting in an experience that is entirely customized to each cohort.
JobWorks, Inc. Overview
For more than 30 years, JobWorks, Inc. has been a premier nationwide provider of workforce services to TANF recipients, WIOA-eligible adults, dislocated workers, youth, and other populations that face barriers to employment. Across all of our workforce programs in California, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana – where we are the state’s largest WIOA service provider – JobWorks serves more than 18,000 public workforce customers each year through both short-term, credential-based training initiatives and large-scale, career one-stop operations.