We are excited to announce the launch of our new Shelters to Shutters Training Program with Edge2Learn. This new workforce development tool will provide our participants with a solid foundation for work in the multifamily housing industry.
Training for the Multifamily Housing Industry
The training program is another critical key to the long-term success of our participants, giving them the skills and knowledge needed for employment at apartment complexes. Our online platform is customized for Shelters to Shutters’ participants to complete comprehensive assessments on eligibility, aptitudes, interests and initial skill level. After an assessment, participants receive a customized training plan utilizing Edge2Learn’s multifamily housing industry focused curriculum, along with training in technical skills, soft skills, and life skills literacy. Combined, this not only prepares them for interview opportunities with our partners, but it continues to assist them in advancing throughout their new career.
Shelters to Shutters Training and Talent Development Manager, Robert Whitehead, brings 20 years of experience in building and administering systems. He has designed a blended learning approach implementing performance-based trainings that utilize both live and recorded trainings.
Career Path Training
Individuals we serve experiencing situational homelessness have marketable skills and a background of work experience but when looking for a career change or new opportunity, it can be difficult to explain to an employer how those skills transfer. Our training program offers individualized learning paths for positions as maintenance tech, groundskeeper, leasing agent, housekeeper and concierge. This ability to upskill our participants and prepare them for an opportunity with one of our industry partners is going to make an immediate impact for both those we work with and our industry partners hiring.
Nikki is a participant of Shelters to Shutters Atlanta enrolled in the Edge2Learn training program. She is seeking an employment opportunity as a leasing agent. When asked how she felt after completing her leasing agent training program, Nikki said:
I was a little worried about applying for a job in a leasing office because I wasn’t sure if I was qualified or if I could do it. But after taking the training courses I feel more confident. The courses made me realize that I could use the experience from the jobs in my past to be a good leasing agent. I have lots of sales experience that I can bring to a career in leasing. After watching the training modules my feeling was, “Ok, I got this”.
After the training, Nikki landed an interview with a Shelters to Shutters partner for a leasing agent role. We look forward to posting updates on her progress!
In Charlotte, our Executive Director Jackie Campbell is seeing both tangible and intangible benefits for her participants who have started their training program:
Our customized training prepares my candidates for interviews and positions, but a wonderful side benefit I’ve noticed is that it gives my candidates hope, motivation, and a clear confidence they did not have before learning about their new career paths.
Soft Skills, Financial Literacy for Long-Term Success
We all know that interviewing for a job can be intimidating and nerve wracking especially when you may have been out of work for some time. Our new training program ensures all participants receive pre-employment training including verbal and non-verbal communication, interviewing, resume writing and presenting with confidence. This soft skills piece is one that can make the difference in securing their next new position whether that position is with one of our industry partners or with another employer.
Financial literacy is critical for long term economic independence. With our Shelters to Shutters Edge2Learn platform, our participants will have access to 16 courses around financial literacy. From creating a personal budget to debt management to buying a car, all courses were created specifically for those we serve to assist them on their journey back to self-sufficiency.
Access to Technology
Shelters to Shutters provides each individual hired through our program with a laptop and access to WiFi through Comcast’s Xfinity Essentials program. This removes the barrier to technology and ensures our participants have access to our online trainings and resources to set advancement goals in their new career.
To learn more about the launch of our training program, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. We will be sharing more updates and success stories from our participants and staff.