Transitional Services Program

YouthBuild PCS provides students with an opportunity to enhance the skills beyond the academic classroom.  Programs have been created to enhance the leadership, socio-emotional, and professional skills of our students to prepare them for life after YouthBuild PCS.  One of the goals for the school is to ensure students have the skills to be successfully placed in the workforce or post-secondary education once they completed the school.  These additional program enhancements assist the school in obtaining this goal. 

 

Job Readiness Training

Job Readiness Training (JRT) teaches the students the necessary skills to successfully obtain and maintain employment.  Students are provided with instruction on how to create cover letters and resumes, job search techniques, and interview skills.  Students receive additional instruction on the fundamentals of financial literacy and budgeting.  JRT equips first year students with the necessary tools to begin the creation of their professional portfolio.

 

Professional Development Training

Students who have demonstrated mastery of the hard skills taught in the Job Readiness Training Class, progress to finessing their soft skills in the Professional Development Training class.  Students learn professional etiquettes; such as how to effectively communicate to an employer and how to successfully resolve conflict and challenges in the workplace.  Students have the opportunity to research and create a growth ladder for their desired careers, and are provided opportunities to job shadow and/or attend career fairs.  Instructors work with students on how to polish their soft skills in the areas of attendance, punctuality, appearance, and articulation.

 

Post-Secondary Preparation

YouthBuild PCS recognizes that earning a GED is just a step in the right direction.  To enter into a career earning a living wage, students will need additional credentials.  The College Club prepares students to enroll in post-secondary institutes in order to obtain the skills and credentials needed for success in the workforce.  The college club meets after school, bi-weekly, to prepare students for the transition from YouthBuild PCS to post-secondary institutes.  Topics covered in the workshop include: the admissions process, financial aid, college survival skills and test preparation.  All students have the opportunity to participate in events such as: college fairs, college tours, or institutes that offer dual enrollment.

 

Internship Opportunity

YouthBuild PCS partners with numerous local organizations and businesses in order to create student internship opportunities. The purpose of the internship is to allow students to explore a career of their interest and to obtain work experience in order to build their resume. Following successful completion of both the Job Readiness Training (JRT) and the Professional Development Training courses, students participate in the internship program once a week throughout the second and third trimesters.

 

AmeriCorps

YouthBuild PCS in partnership with YouthBuild USA and the Corporation for National Service, offers students AmeriCorps service learning opportunities which provides students who meet eligibility requirements with the ability to become AmeriCorp members.  As a Quarter-time AmeriCorps member, students must complete at least 450 hours of community service and earn the GED.  Upon completing the program requirements, students receive and Continuing Education Award of $1,415 which can be used at any post-secondary institute or training and certification program.  Students also gain the valuable experience of giving back to their community and are able to see how they can make a difference in the lives of others.