HANCOCK COUNTY, Ohio — How do people who never graduated high school or college, or adults who want to find a better career fit, search for new jobs?
Raise the Bar Hancock County works to connect people with employment.
Last year, the organization realized it needed to better serve the 18 to 45-year-olds they worked with and needed to get a better idea of the individual all around, much like a career aptitude test performed at the high school level.
"As we go forth with new career options, and just the ever-changing employment environment, it never hurts to have someone assessed and to really hone in on what their strengths are," Raise the Bar's executive director, Tricia Valasek, said.
So, with seed money from an AT&T Foundation grant, they have launched a new Adult Workforce Program.
Those who sign up will go through three online assessments and an in-person consultation, free of charge to the individual with a referral from a support group or social worker.
The goal is to find a balance between work, personal values and personal interests.
Julie Baker, a career assessment specialist, said the assessment results are fun and can help people discover new passions.
"We had someone a few weeks ago who took it and realized outdoors was an interest, and hadn't even thought about doing things outdoors," Baker said.
Once a new career field is identified, the participants will go through virtual job shadowing to see if a local company meets the criteria.
And Raise the Bar will also connect them with classes or trade training to make sure they are also the right fit for the job.
'Once we get to know what an individual needs, we can direct them to the trainings that they might need to participate in to get the certifications or the next level of education to move into a career that fits them," Valasek said.
The funding for this first year of this Adult Workforce Program in Hancock County has room for 50 individuals.
Those interested can learn more and sign up here.