Lisa Washington enrolled in the CareerHub in February 2020, looking for employment and career support. Workforce Specialist Maria Bartoli helped Lisa identify a career path that included training and employment opportunities. Lisa's Individual Service Strategy Plan included training to improve her soft and hard skills. Her short-term goal was to enroll in CNA training to build a foundation that would enable her to one day become a Registered Nurse.
Lisa enrolled in the Youth Career Advancement (YCA) training with Career Resources. YCA is a six-week training program designed to prepare young job seekers for employment and improve their math and reading skills. The training also prepared Lisa with essential soft skills, technical skills, and career exploration resources. The WorkPlace provided Lisa with support services that included transportation assistance and clothing for interviews through Dress For Success Mid-Fairfield County. Towards the end of the training, COVID-19 hit, and the YCA training went virtual. Lisa didn't miss a beat, completed the training, and earned the National Retail Federation Certification.
Lisa enrolled in CNA classes with Training Direct in June 2020. While enrolled in CNA training, she worked closely with CareerHub's Employer Relations Specialist (ERS) Team. She secured a temporary assignment with the Community Health Center in Stamford. Upon completing the assignment, she was offered a permanent position and started working for the Community Health Center as a COVID-19 Screener. However, once she completed her training and passed the state exam, to earn her CNA certification, she began actively looking for employment as a CNA. With assistance from the ERS Team, Lisa secured employment as a CNA at The Carolton Chronic Convalescent Hospital in Fairfield, CT.
This past summer, Lisa enrolled at Norwalk Community College to begin pursuing her long-term goal of becoming a Registered Nurse. She accepted a new position at Stamford Hospital as a CNA, allowing her to be closer to her classes.
