Community Good Stories - Gary/Hammond/East Chicago

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EZ Partnership With WorkOne Provides Job Training and Placement

Gary/Hammond/East Chicago, Indiana, EZ

The Gary/East Chicago/Hammond, Indiana, EZ has formed a partnership with Workforce Development Services (WFD) to create a dynamic job-training and work experience program for EZ residents. Started in January 2004, the program is called “A New Year a New YOU—Empowerment Through Employment.”

An EZ grant of $760,000 provides scholarships for skills assessments and vocational training for EZ residents through WorkOne Centers in Gary and East Chicago. Participants are taken through a vigorous 6-week job-readiness training. Participants who successfully complete the job-readiness portion move into a 3-month work experience and vocational certification training, made possible through established relationships among the EZ, WFD, and area employers. Participants gain work experience or interest, building specialized skills.

Currently, 27 individuals are participating in training. The program has graduated 16 EZ participants with a 100-percent placement and retention rate.

For more information on the programs of the Gary/Hammond/East Chicago, Indiana EZ, please contact EZ Executive Director Scott Upshaw at (219) 886-9047.