New employment resources are now available through the Olympic Community Action Programs in Clallam and Jefferson counties.
Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP) has assumed the Work First Community Jobs and Career Jump Employment services on the North Olympic Peninsula.
These provide on-the-job training for people participating in the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) program.
Both Community Jobs and Career Jump help participants discover their skills, build their confidence and take an active role in becoming increasingly self-sufficient, with the goal of exiting poverty, said OlyCAP in a news release issued Friday.
“OlyCAP has worked closely with state and local officials over the past few months to insure low-income people living across the Olympic Peninsula have fair and equal access to employment and training opportunities,” said Dale Wilson, executive director.
The initial response to both programs has been positive, according to Dina Geiszler, employment and training director at OlyCAP.
“Both employers, and those seeking work, have demonstrated strong interest and willingness to participate in the programs,” Geiszler said.
“We anticipated a modest start of three to five participants over the first couple of months. We already have nine participants enrolled in just over a month, with several more in the queue.”
Work experiences are primarily focused on matching the participant’s skills and interests with the employer’s job needs, Geiszler said.
“The primary difference between the two programs is Community Jobs targets training and employment within the nonprofit sector, while Career Jump aligns more closely with helping for-profit businesses invest in hiring and developing their workforce. Both programs are focused on helping people exit poverty through skills development and employment.”
For more information, call Geiszler at 360-452-4726 or email dgeiszler@olycap.org.
