Pilot Program In Chester County Aims To Get Long-Term Unemployed Back To Work
By Jim Melwert
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- A pilot program being unveiled in Chester County is aimed at getting some experienced, quality, but long-term unemployed workers back on a job.
Chester County becomes the 14th community, nationwide to run Platform to Employment, or P2E. 25 county residents, who have been unemployed for 27 or more week will go through a 5-week program. Chester County workforce development board chair Jennifer Duff says it includes job readiness training and personal support services:
"To deal with some of the emotional or stress related issues that they may be having," she says. "Support their families and help them and their support network sort of re-engage and re-motivate."
After the five week training, participants are then lined up with an employer for an eight week, sort of a trial period.
"We encourage our employers in the county to actively participate in this program," Duff says.
She says candidates will come from all different demographics and employment backgrounds.