JRT youth working on computer skills and resumes

New Avenues’ Promoting Avenues to Employment (PAVE) program offers robust job training and employment services to youth at-risk of or experiencing homelessness, helping them build the skills to find career-pathway employment and achieve self-sufficiency. Through PAVE, youth participate in a four-week, competency-based Job Readiness Training (JRT), in which they learn, practice, develop, and engage in:

• “soft” skill development
• goal setting
• career exploration
• computer literacy
• resume development
• job searching, interviewing and job-retention
• skill development
• banking & budgeting
• telephone techniques, application completion, and professional dress

When the four-week JRT session draws to close, youth who are ready are connected to a Workforce Case Manager, who works with them to develop an Individualized Career Plan (ICP). “Coming out of JRT with a professional portfolio, resume, and practiced interview skills is huge,” says Workforce Case Manager Lindsey Davis. “JRT prepares youth to be competitive job seekers, helps them navigate career pathways and emphasizes long-term goal setting. This forward-planning is often essential to moving from entry-level employment to living-wage careers.”

If you or your company would like to support our Job Readiness Training program by hosting mock interviews or job site tours, assisting with workshops/presentations, or participating in our Scoop-A-Thon fundraising event, contact us at info@newavenues.org.