Tampa Bay Academy of Hope, Florida Department of Corrections, Goodwill Suncoast, Career Source Tampa Bay and other members form the Career Pathways Collaborative (CPC) to work together in developing and implementing the JOBS program to assist returning citizens transitioning back into the community by obtaining industry recognized credentials leading to sustainable employment. The CPC identifies those demand employment sectors in the community and create vocational training strategies for men and women in work release programs to improve workforce outcomes. In addition to vocational skills training, participants receive case management, mentoring, life skills training, job placement assistance, mental and substance abuse services where necessary, and follow up services.
Training provided to participants includes vocational training for industry recognized certifications and credential, GED and remedial educational training, job readiness, soft skills, and life skills. TBAH provides comprehensive educational services which focus on the attainment of one of four initial outcomes: 1) attainment of a GED; 2) attainment of a vocational training; 3) attainment of an industry recognized certification; 4) attainment of a post-secondary degree. TBAH uses the competency models. The competency models help staff use a building block approach to move clients along or up the career ladder toward an industry-recognized credential. The model includes 1) Personal Effectiveness (soft skills, interpersonal skills); 2) Academic Competencies (reading, math, basics-GED); 3) Workplace Competencies (problem solving, decision making, working with tools and technology; 4) Industry Wide Technical Competencies (industry recognized-credential); 5) Industry-Sector Competencies; and 6) Occupation Specific Requirements. Using these evidence based practice models, TBAH and the CPC deliver career pathways that move participants in and out of specific occupations from entry-level employment to related employment where participants have transferable technical skills that meet the needs of the business community and produces participants with an industry recognized credential.
Industry Recognized Credential Attainments to be Offered:
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
- Plumbing Technician Assistant
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Fork Lift Driver
- Home Health Aid
- Customer Service Certification
- Networking & Cabling Certification
- Microsoft IT Certification
- General Maintenance & Manufacturing
- Scaffolding Certification
- Welding
- Masonry Helper Certification (NCCER)
Returning citizens need mentors, job coaches, and tutors immediately to help with successful reentry. To volunteer as a mentor click here. If you are a returning citizen and need help, click here to complete an application.
Job and Basic Skill Program (JOBS)