Career Start Introduced at A-B Tech
A program aimed at providing job search training to food stamp applicants has served nearly 400 clients since it was launched at A-B Tech in September.
Career Start is a program required by the state of North Carolina for all individuals seeking food stamp assistance who are able to work. The program is a collaboration between the Department of Social Services, the North Carolina Community College System Human Resources Development (HRD) program, and the Employment Security Commission.
Deborah Holebrooks, Career Start case manager and instructor, said participants in the program are referred from the food stamp office. "We give them a choice. They can do up to four weeks of training at A-B Tech in the HRD, GED or ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, and four weeks of job search at the ESC," she said.
The other option is to immediately spend eight weeks job searching through the ESC, without any training. Either option starts with a three-hour orientation workshop where participants are informed of the educational opportunities available to them at no charge to assist with the job search process.
"We try to get them to look at what the employers are looking for. They need to know how to do a resume, create a cover letter and deal with tough interview questions for a job," Holebrooks said of the Career Start classes.
A variety of classes are offered through HRD and JobLink to help individuals determine career direction, market themselves in a job search, practice techniques for interviewing, prepare master applications, resumes and cover letters, and learn basic computer skills for the workplace.
"It's a very good opportunity for people to advance because they can list these classes on their resume," she said. "It gives them a good feeling after they get a job, they can come back and take night classes. CNA and Effective Teacher Training have become popular choices for students seeking short-term training.
"I think it's overall a good program for everybody who needs to know what the employers want," Holebrooks said. "We do talk to employers to find out their needs."
One method of motivating participants is giving them the personal touch, according to Holebrooks. Holebrooks received her GED through A-B Tech and then went to Mars Hill College. "It helps people to know you've been through the same thing," she said. "Sometimes it takes longer than expected to complete a GED because when you stay out of school for a long time, it's difficult to get back."
Joddie Shetley, the Career Start Program Assistant, has also completed many HRD classes and offers a unique perspective to participants.
Many clients have completed the courses and then go on to finish the Effective Teacher Training program or CNA certification, and some intend to pursue a two-year degree, Holebrooks said.
"They also enjoy the resume class and learning job interview skills," she said. Participants also seem to like the Soul Survivor class where they get to be the employer and ask the job interview questions.
"People who have been through the program know when they are out of work they can come to JobLink for help, and they know A-B Tech is really friendly," Holebrooks said. "Once they get here, they enjoy it."
For more information on the Career Start program, please contact Holebrooks or Shetley at Ext. 330 or A-B Tech's HRD office at Ext. 333.
Student-created Bakeries
The first graduating class of the Baking and Pastry Arts program displayed its delicious capstone projects at the Hospitality Job Fair in the Birch Building. Each student was responsible for creating their own bakery including menus, business plans and product.
Hotel and Restaurant Management students Bethany Butti and Larry Elliott were responsible for designing the set-up, and the recruiting for A-B Tech's first Hospitality Job Fair as part of their senior Capstone projects. The job fair involved Hotel and Restaurant Management students, Culinary, and Baking and Pastry Arts. "They all worked in tandem," said Gary Schwartz, instructor of Hospitality Education. "The students worked really hard, and they worked well together."
Small Business Jump Start Day
Denton Flahault, right, and Pegi Flahault of the Entrepreneur's Source speak with a prospective client at A-B Tech's Small Business Center Jump Start Your Business Day April 21. The event is held in the spring and the fall. According to Small Business Center Director Russ Yelton, "We had 44 presenters sign up, and that filled the space we had. Next time we may have to start spreading out over the second floor." A total of 218 budding entrepreneurs attended.