Cecil College is partnering with Henkels & McCoy on an initiative designed to change the lives of people between the ages of 16 and 21 without a high school diploma. Launched on July 1, the free TechBridge GED and Job Training Program will look to prepare 55 young adults to realize gains in their basic skills while developing occupational skills.
“The opportunity for Cecil to collaborate with Henkels & McCoy on this important project is so exciting,” said Debbie Klenk, dean of career and community education at Cecil College. “Both of our organizations have spent many years serving at-risk youth, and this grant will provide us with the chance to come together to implement cutting edge strategies for improving results for our young people who are struggling to find their path to employment.”
Funded through the Susquehanna Workforce Network, Inc., Henkels & McCoy has been contracted to run the program at Cecil’s Elkton Station. In addition to providing facilities for offices and programming, the college will deliver Adult Basic Education and GED education as well as training and testing for the National Retail Federation’s Customer Service Certificate. Henkels & McCoy will handle the recruitment of the participants and several key components, including job skills, life skills and financial management.
“Everything our participants will need to know to find a job, we will provide for them,” said Danielle C. Johnson, operations manager for Henkels & McCoy. “We will help participants identify what they want to do for a career and put them on the path to make it happen.” Henkels operates a job training business.
The program is based on a nationally recognized proven model, Jobs for the Future’s “Breaking Through,” for helping low-skilled participants prepare for and succeed in occupational, technical and degree programs.
