Empowering the Latino Workforce

 

 

Training Opportunities
For Employers
 
For Jobseekers
 
 
 
 
 

 

Back in June 2004, when the Connecting People to Jobs (CPTJ) Program was honored with the Regional Innovator Award by the Southern Growth Policies Board, our initiative was defining itself as an effective and innovating program working to improve the quality of the Latino workforce in South Carolina. CPTJ was launched in the winter of 2001 by the SC Hispanic Outreach and funded by a four-year grant awarded by the Mary R. Babcock and Annie E. Casey Foundations. The Mission Statement for the initiative was: “To create and sustain a collaborative partnership that will develop viable opportunities for unemployed and underemployed Hispanics to obtain, maintain, and be upwardly mobile in livable wage jobs.”


By the year 2009, CPTJ has established itself as the most successful Latino workforce development program in the Southeast region. CPTJ is an impressive initiative that involves the collaboration of several key agencies and organizations including: Family Service Center of SC, Midlands Workforce Development Board, SC Hispanic Outreach, Midlands OneStop Center, MDC Inc., Workforce Investment Act Program, as well as several employers and educational institutions in the region.

The path to success has not beeen easy. During the last few years, the program has faced decreasing funding, limited resources and an ever increasing demand for services. However, as of 2009 the CPTJ has successfully transitioned from a seed-grant program to a long term initiative. Fundamental factors for this major achievement were the program’s ability to adapt to a changing environment and its understanding of the Hispanic community. Also important has been the participation and support of several key individuals such as Mr. Russell Knight, CEO of Family Service Center, and Ms. Bonnie Austin, Administrator of the Midlands Workforce Investment Area, whose commitment to the long-term mission of the program has allowed it to continue delivering services beyond the grant-seed period. In this new stage, the CPTJ will operate under one of the oldest and most respected non-profit organizations in the area: Family Service Center of SC.

Founding Vision Statement

“All Hispanics who want to work in the Midlands of South Carolina have the opportunity to be productive, fully participating citizens; contributing to the economy and to their community.”

Founding Mission Statement

“ To create and sustain a collaborative partnership that will develop viable opportunities for unemployed and underemployed Hispanics to obtain, maintain, and be upwardly mobile in livable wage jobs.”

CPTJ actively seeks collaborative partnerships with local contractors who are willing to employ Hispanic workers and learning institutions helping to develop our program participants. As part of this joined effort, CPTJ assist job seekers identify available learning opportunities in such areas as GED completion, English language and job skills development. CPTJ works with contractors to help identify program participants with the necessary skills to meet their needs and will also provide job readiness skills development as a value-added component to our employer partners.


CPTJ maintains an office at the Columbia One Stop Center. Our Workforce Development Consultant, housed at the One Stop Center, assists our participants with their job seeking efforts and developmental action planning.

     
 
 
 
Connecting People to Jobs is an initiative of Family Service Center of SC