The WorkPlace invites legislators and members of the media to attend a recognition event for participants of the nationally recognized Platform to Employment (P2E) program. On Friday, April 27th, 2018 from 10am-11am, P2E will recognize graduates from a recently completed class and welcome nearly 100 new participants from across the state.
In 2017, the Connecticut legislature approved funding for a state-wide Platform to Employment program to help the long term unemployed get back to work. Since its inception, P2E has helped over 1,000 Connecticut residents find employment. This success has led to replication in more than a dozen states across the country.
P2E begins with a five-week preparatory program that helps participants confront the barriers to employment. During the preparatory program participants receive coaching, learn effective interview and communication techniques, participate in workshops on emotional well-being and acquire new job search skills. After completing the program, P2E assists participants in finding employment. Placements are made on a trial basis and wages are paid by P2E. The expectation is that a fulltime job will result if the employer is satisfied with the performance of the candidate.
“P2E shared invaluable information and wisdom that allowed me to learn a great deal about the intricacies of finding a job after a spout of long-term unemployment,” said Gerald Jones, P2E Graduate from New Haven. “More importantly, I rediscovered a sense of personal value as an employment commodity with a great deal to offer any employer. I’m now employed and confidently dreaming of a brighter tomorrow due to the tools that acquired through this program.”
In the most recent program year, nearly 80% of participants who completed the preparatory program found work with local employers. Participants represent the diverse demographics of the state and share a common desire to help one another, promote opportunity and overcome the challenges of long-term unemployment.
WHO:
Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, State of Connecticut
Senator Eric Berthel, 32nd District, Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Middlebury, Oxford, Roxbury, Seymour, Southbury, Washington, Watertown and Woodbury
Senator Bob Duff, 25th District, Darien and Norwalk
Representative Mitch Bolinsky, 106th District, Newtown
Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey, 133rd District, Fairfield
Representative William Petit, 22nd District, Plainville and New Britain
Representative Lezlye Zupkus, 89th District, Bethany, Cheshire and Prospect
Jean Barlage, Graduate, Platform to Employment
Valerie Cooper, Employer, Picture That Art Consultants
WHAT: Platform to Employment Recognition Event
WHERE: State Capitol Building, Old Judiciary Room
WHEN: Friday, April 27, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.
About The WorkPlace
The WorkPlace conducts comprehensive planning, and coordinates regional workforce development policy and programs to prepare people for careers while strengthening the workforce for employers. As national leader in the field, The WorkPlace regularly shares ideas and best practices with lawmakers, foundations, think tanks and other workforce development organizations around the country. For more information, visit www.workplace.org