Job Ready 101

Organization: Tri-County offers several programs and services to help youth and adults acquire the skills necessary to reach their career goals, to create an employment action plan. Our skilled employment case workers can help you to explore career options, build resume writing skills, and connect you with career training opportunities. We partner with many employers across the state of Rhode Island to ensure we have a network of diverse training opportunities, and work-shadow experiences. There is no cost to participate in most programs.

Opportunity: This eight week program builds on the Tri-County Career Exploration & Work Preparedness Program, and offers participants the opportunity to further explore career pathways of choice.  Program participants will choose a career pathway that fits their skills and interests and will complete a multi-phase, paid work-based learning experience.  Phase I of the Job Ready 101 program will allow youth the opportunity to try a specific career pathway in a high wage, high growth industry. In Phase I, students complete 50 hours of paid work-based experience which is  compensated at a rate of $11.50 per hour.  Once Phase I is complete, program participants will receive an additional $100 stipend and be required to complete a program evaluation.

Phase II requires that students enroll in a short term certificate training program, which will end with an industry recognized credential for the student.  Once complete, program participants will receive an additional $100 stipend for completing their “Industry Recognized Credential”. With this credential, participants will be eligible for Phase III of the Job Ready 101 program.

In Phase III, program participants will develop a new job description with their worksite supervisor prior to starting their next 50 hour paid work experience, which will be more rigorous than Phase I.  Program participants will be challenged to use job skills learned in Phase I, and Occupational Training skills learned in Phase II.  During Phase III, program participants will be paid at a rate of $13.50 per hour.

In Phase IV of the program, participants will update their Individual Career Plan by researching what next steps would be necessary for them to make advancements towards a professional career in this specific pathway.  Participants will also be required to participate in a professional interview with their supervisor, as well as someone else in the field to learn more about why they selected this career pathway, what education they were required to complete, and what they would have done differently if they could do it all over again.  Participants will receive a final $100 stipend for completing Phase IV.

Lead Contact: Justin Waranis

Phone Number: 401-935-1106

Email: jwaranis@tricountyri.org