HIRED Launches Manufacturing Training Program for Incarcerated Youth

HIRED’s success in preparing adult job seekers for careers in the manufacturing industry has spawned a new program designed especially for youth, ages 18-24, in Minnesota correctional facilities. On August 19, sixteen young inmates at the Stillwater Correctional Facility earned a Precision Manufacturing Apprenticeship Certificate – an achievement that is worth nine college credits! The class, which involves 300 hours of classroom training, provides young adults with the skills they’ll need to land a manufacturing apprenticeship upon their release.

HIRED Project Manager Judy Swanson said, “HIRED’s M-Powered training program has proven to be extraordinarily successful in giving job seekers the training they need to land high-paying careers in the manufacturing industry. With HIRED’s reputation as a top-notch agency for serving ex-offenders, we thought it would only be appropriate that we design a program to serve people who are really in need of a fresh start.”

In addition to the skills training each student receives, HIRED counselors work one-to-one with program participants to help them refine their interviewing skills, develop a résumé that highlights their (oftentimes limited) experience, and explain what they've learned from their rehabilitation.

The graduation ceremony, which will be featured in an upcoming issue of a publication produced by the Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association, featured moving quotes from each of the students. Here’s just a sample of their appreciation.

“Before this I had virtually no formal education and now I have quite an impressive set of credentials … This class has given me the opportunity to change my life.”

“… I have developed skills to living a meaningful and fulfilling life … Finally I can see some light at the end of the tunnel.”

“… I’ve learned that I’m very smart and that I was always the one holding myself back by not giving stuff my all, and that’s because I never cared. You guys have helped me think positive about my future, and put hope in my mind.”

“… [My training] is something positive that resulted out of something so negative.”

“It is hard enough to job search and interview to start with, but add a felony to that and it turns into quite the hurdle … I will forever be grateful … You have truly done us all a huge service.”

“I have learned through hard work, dedication and discipline, I am able to succeed …”

To learn more about HIRED’s M-Powered program, contact Judy Swanson at Judy.Swanson@HIRED.org.

HIRED Celebrates 40 Years

This year marks HIRED’s 40th year of service to Twin Cities area job seekers. Since 1968, HIRED has been committed to one mission – providing personalized and innovative work solutions. To learn more about HIRED’s beginnings and its future, visit the special 40th Anniversary section of HIRED’s website.

HIRED Works Offered Twice in
September

HIRED Works – a one-hour “get to know us” event for potential partners and supporters – will be held twice this month: September 10, at 7:30 a.m. and September 18, at 11:30 a.m. Both September sessions will be held at HIRED’s Minneapolis office, located at 1200 Plymouth Avenue North. If you have friends, colleagues or family members who you think would enjoy learning more about HIRED’s important mission to help people find work, please contact Nadine Sehnert by e-mail.

HIRED to Offer Clients
Customer Service Training

This fall, HIRED will launch a new training course designed especially for job seekers who are interested in pursuing careers in a professional office setting. HIRED’s Customer Service and Clerical Support Program will train entry-level workers for targeted occupations such as bank tellers, bill and account collectors, receptionists, cashiers and customer service representatives.

Rebecca Carpentier, a trainer at HIRED’s St. Paul office, said, “This class has been in the making for quite some time, and we’re thrilled to kick it off this fall. We’ve had a number of requests from both employers and clients to provide this sort of job-skills preparation, and so far it is has been very well received.”

The eight-week training course held at HIRED’s Griggs office in St. Paul, covers skills in the following areas: sales, filing and recordkeeping, problem-solving, telephone etiquette, computers and effective communication. Additionally, through HIRED’s employer network, students will have the chance to participate in experiential training and job shadowing opportunities.

Carpentier continued, “HIRED clients will be well served by this program. In addition to giving them skills that will be transferable to many other occupations, there are a number of opportunities for advancement in this growing field.”

If you’d like to learn more about HIRED’s training programs, visit our website.