Trained & Ready program puts hundreds of Mississippians to work
GULFPORT, Mississippi—During the past 18 months, more than 850 Mississippi residents along the Gulf Coast have been building their job skills, earning GED credentials and creating new employment opportunities for themselves thanks to a unique work-readiness program known as Mississippi Trained & Ready. The program, which reached its completion date at the end of May, featured a 90 percent job placement success rate for participants who completed its on-site work experience/internship component.
Made possible through Hurricane Katrina National Emergency Grant funds via the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, Mississippi Trained & Ready provided real-world job training for Mississippians in communities still rebuilding from the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina. It was offered in Gulfport with satellite branches in Waveland, Pascagoula, and through a mobile team that delivered the program throughout several other communities in the region.
“Mississippi Trained & Ready provided outstanding work-readiness and job opportunities for Gulf Coast residents who needed it most,” said Kyla Gutierrez, program manager at Paxen Learning, the provider of the educational and operational components for the program. “The outstanding job-placement success rate we achieved was thanks in large part to the business community. We had no shortage of highly energized employers willing to get involved in the program and serve as much-needed work-readiness sites.”
Azreal Fairley of Gulfport was among the participants who used her experience in the program as a springboard to a new job opportunity. Fairley worked at Isle Casino Hotel during the work-readiness portion of the program and later was hired by the casino. “This was an absolutely fantastic program that provided me with new skills and a new job,” said Fairley. “I wouldn’t have created this opportunity if it weren’t for this program.”
The program featured three independent components: work-readiness instruction, GED test preparation, and onsite work-readiness and hospitality skills training. Working collaboratively with the American Hotel & Lodging Association and local hospitality employers, Paxen job developers connected participants with paid internships at area casinos, restaurants and hotels—such as IP Casino Resort & Spa, Isle Casino Hotel and Fatsumo sushi restaurant—in areas such as food and beverage, housekeeping, and front desk service. A number of local municipalities, retailers, non-profit organizations and other local businesses also participated in the on-site work-readiness portion of the program, including the City of Gulfport, United Way of South Mississippi and Ray’s Interior Design.
“We had an exceptional experience with the participants from Mississippi Trained & Ready that completed their on-site work-readiness training with us,” said Chisa Mallett, program director, Mississippi Tobacco Free Coalition of Harrison County. “Without a doubt, we believe the participants are truly ready to enter the workforce upon completion of the program.”
About Paxen Learning
Paxen Learning specializes in developing and delivering outcome-based educational programs that build academic and employability skills for at-risk youths and adults. Each year, thousands graduate from Paxen programs on their journey toward meaningful employment. The company currently operates 25 programs in 10 states. Its clients and partners include the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Blackboard, Department of Defense, Department of Juvenile Justice, Indiana University High School, Home Builders Institute, National Guard Bureau, The Florida and Hawaii National Guards, state Departments of Labor, and local Workforce Investment Boards. The 25-year-old private, for-profit company is headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, with offices in Tallahassee, Florida, and Maui, Hawaii.
For media inquiries, contact
Ken Zeszutko
Zeszutko Corp. on behalf of Paxen Learning
321-637-7080
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Paxen Learning,
710 Atlantis Road,
Melbourne, FL 32904
Tel: 800 247 2936
www.paxen.com
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