FREE TRAINING FOR YOUTH AGES 18-21
JOB TRAINING
Participants of the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) will choose a training program from a list of demand occupations. Based on career interests and assessment done at YEP, staff will work with you to find a training program that best fits you. The training you choose may be offered at a local community college or a training facility such as LNA Health Careers. Such training will provide skills necessary to find full time employment, earning a living wage, with the possibility of attending college in the future.
ACADEMICS
While attending job skills classes, all YEP students will participate in academic skill building activities. For some the work will be in preparation for the GED test and for others it will be to build lifelong skills needed in the workplace.
MENTORING
You will have the opportunity to learn more about opportunities in your career field through mentors. YEP will provide opportunities for group mentoring, e-mentoring (via email), and individual mentors.
WORK READINESS SKILLS
Before being placed in employment, you will learn how to write a resume, interview successfully, and most efficiently look for jobs. You will become familiar with resources in the community.
THE FUN PART!
The Youth Empowerment Program is not all studying. What do we do for fun?
- Invite guest speakers from community organizations
We can help you in overcoming your obstacles to being successful like:
- work related tools, books, and equipment
INCENTIVE PLAN
While you are attending YEP, you will have the opportunity to earn gift certificates for completing milestones in your program.
Shop or eat out, on YEP, for meeting goals in attendance, participation, earning a GED, and employment.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Youth Empowerment Program
49 Manchester Street
Manchester, NH 03101
(603) 626-7941 phone
(603) 625-0461 fax
Southern New Hampshire Services Inc., Youth Empowerment Program is sponsored by the Workforce Opportunity Council Inc., a proud member of America’s Workforce Network, and an equal opportunity employer/program.
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
TDD 1-800-622-9180
SUCCESS STORIES
All youth who participate with the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) come with many challenges. Some students have been in trouble with the law. Others are learning to be first time, often single, parents. Many students are at various points dealing with mental health, addictions, and learning difficulties. Most importantly, the youth who come to the YEP are ready to make improvements in their current lives to have a better future.
JC earned her GED, reaching the highest scores at MST last school year. While at Youth Empowerment Program, she gained leadership skills by tutoring fellow students also preparing for the GED. She also tutored students studying for their LNA licenses. After completing LNA training she was hired at Villa Crest, where she just celebrated one year of employment! She scored a 99% out of 100% on her personnel review. JC juggles working full time and raising her daughter.
MC is a current YEP participant. She came to the program with her high school diploma from her home country, Haiti and spent much time at the program building her English skills and work readiness skills, while working. With the goal of eventually becoming a nurse, MC successfully completed LNA training and was immediately hired at Ridgewood Nursing Home on the high recommendations of her instructors. She returns to YEP regularly to get help with looking into options for nursing programs in the area.
RK participated with YEP to prepare for his GED, which he passed on the first try, and gain work readiness skills. He attended office/computer classes at Manchester Community College to build customer service skills. He, a candidate for a receptionist position at Hesser College, has also decided to further his education there. The first in his family to attend college, he has recently started classes that will lead to a career in restaurant management or hospitality.
JO, a refugee from the Sudan, spent many hours at YEP working to improve her English skills while caring for her young son. She passed LNA training and was then employed at Ridgewood Nursing Home, where she has worked for nearly a year. She continues to take classes at Manchester School of Technology to improve her English so she can complete her GED and eventually go to nursing school.
LE is a current YEP participant. He has spent many diligent hours preparing for his GED test. LE spent 8 weeks in culinary arts training, earning his ServSafe certification – a national certification in the restaurant industry. He is excited to explore his next options, including a paid internship with The Common Man restaurants, an apprenticeship program at The Balsams Resort, or a training program on a ship with the Seafarer’s Union.
EN came to YEP with some experience with welding. He wanted to further his skills and go to college. He did this by completing an on-the-job training opportunity with North American Equipment Upfitters, a local company that upfits boom trucks. Due to the changing economy, he was laid off, but found employment doing welding again. While working full time, he was determined to complete his GED. With English being his second language, he struggled to learn the language and pass the test, his efforts recently successful. This milestone has allowed him to take the next step towards his original goal of entering college. He has recently enrolled at Manchester Community College, to work towards an associate’s degree in welding.
BH is a current student of the YEP, where he has been able to explore different options in the workforce, including job opportunities, training and college. Early in the year, he passed his GED test. While spending time making personal improvements, he decided to try a training program for advanced manufacturing, preparing him for a manufacturing job that uses computer aided technologies. He is about to finish training and enter the workforce.
LC entered YEP not knowing what she wanted to do with her life. While working two jobs to support herself, she came to YEP every day to work on her GED. She also enrolled in office occupations classes at Manchester Community College to build computer and customer service skills, building on strengths she discovered. Upon completion of the program, she was hired full time at Avis Rent-A-Car as a receptionist. Making a wage to support herself with one job, she was eventually able to enroll in college part time to begin work on an associate’s degree.
