When high school is over, many students look forward to college while others look for a job. Finding employment is hard, but without a diploma or training it can seem impossible. To help those people struggling to find a job, United Way has put its Fast Track to Success program in business in St. Clair County. “Our program in St. Clair is to help out-of-school youth between the ages of 19 and 21 find a job,” said case manager and job developer for St. Clair County Marsha Berglund. “This program helps eligible young people find gainful employment to kick start their futures.”
Berglund, a retired teacher, said United Way is funding the Fast Track to Success program in St. Clair through an $88,788 grant.
“My job is to find young people eligible for the program, screen them, send them to Pell City Career Link Center to be certified and listed with state department of employment,” Berglund said. “I then help them with job skills training and other skills they’ll need to get and keep a job.”
Berglund said if the young person dropped out of high school, the first task is to get them their GED. She also said she has already made contact with several employers willing to help young people in the program.
To qualify for job help through Fast Track to Success, a young person must be between the ages of 19 and 21 living in St. Clair County. Eligible youths include high school dropouts, those who have acquired a secondary school diploma but are basic skill deficient, youths who have recently transitioned out of foster care, young mothers who are receiving services or are eligible for services through the Department of Human Resources, teen parents who need assistance in securing work or training, youths who have no work experience, and court-involved youths.
Berglund said the program provides services to the individual along with referrals to employment, secondary school and occupational skill training.
“The goal is to get them employed,” she said.
Berglund said she has already seen some success with the program but hopes more clients will take advantage of it when they hear about it.
“I need more clients to come in here looking for jobs,” she said. “The public needs to know this program is available and can help these young people provide for their own futures.”
Berglund said once a client is employed there will be job site visits to make sure everything is running smoothly and a mentoring program to assist with any problems on a job.
Berglund also said the program will advise them about other funding available to help with any secondary or professional training.
“There are funds available, besides a Pell Grant, for them to go to a two-year college,” she said. “There are also funds for certified nursing assistant or care nursing assistant training.”
Berglund said trained individuals are in demand in the health care business.
“I’ve already spoke to some assisted living and nursing home facilities also willing to hire some of our young people after training,” she said. “Jeff State is also working with us to help provide ‘Work Keys’ — an evaluation and certificate for employers to see where a client’s work skills are.”
Berglund hopes young people and employers take an interest in Fast Track To Success to help ensure future funding for the program.
“We really need to take advantage of this program in St. Clair County,” she said. “There are young people out there who need out help. This program can give it.”
A young person interested in joining the Fast Track to Success program should contact Berglund at 205-568-5103. Any business wishing to help provide employment can also contact her at that number.
