L.Y.F.E.
Living Your Fullest Existence
LYFE Skills
LYFE’s Pre-Apprenticeship Mentoring & Job Readiness Program will provide mentoring, job shadowing opportunities, and classroom introduction and review of subject matter areas that align with the skill needs of employers; and, that prepares participants to meet the minimum entry-level requirements for consideration to participate in an Apprenticeship Program. A Pre-Apprenticeship Mentoring & Job Readiness Plan (PMJRP) will be developed for each participant and will consist of the following components, at a minimum:
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Preparatory Classes & Group Mentoring Sessions
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Workplace readiness skills, such as resume preparation and interviewing techniques
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Strategies for overcoming barriers to entry and completion of an apprenticeship program
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Any prerequisites for acceptance into Apprenticeship Programs
LYFE will provide educational and career counseling, and supportive services as needed.
Hands-on meaningful learning activities that are connected to education and training; and, that reinforce foundational skills; including, Personal and Work Ethics, Teamwork, and Effective Communication Skills. Program participants will be supported to apply for Registered Apprenticeship programs in the construction and building trades.
The overall objective of all program activities will be:
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Increase apprenticeship opportunities;
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Address barriers to successful training and employment; and,
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Establish and support equity goals and align with Perkins equity goals.
LYFE will utilize program design elements from pre-apprenticeship construction and building trades programs that reflect research and best practices nationally. LYFE seeks to help underrepresented populations successfully transition into full Apprenticeship Programs in the construction and building trades. LYFE will employ program elements that include outreach and recruitment to identify program participants that are a “good fit;” and, we will utilize program elements specifically designed to increase the probability of success for historically underrepresented individuals in the trade industries.
LYFE’s Pre-Apprenticeship Mentoring & Job Readiness Program is predicated on a “work-based training” model. Specifically, work-based learning that aligns mentoring, introduction and review of subject matter areas in a quasi-classroom setting, and workplace learning; the application of academic, technical, and employability skills in a work setting; and, support from workplace mentors. The program elements are consistent with nationally recognized pre-apprenticeship program design elements.
Providing stipends that foster retention will be a key component to the success of the Pre-Apprenticeship Program. Performance-based stipends of $15.00 an hour will be used to support students’ financial needs and encourage high-performance outcomes. LYFE will provide wraparound supports, as appropriate and as needed. We will focus on all aspects of program design and partnerships that facilitate the successful transition of program participants into full Apprenticeship Programs, program belonging, and inclusiveness. Outreach and recruitment efforts will focus on qualitative outcomes, not quantitative measures and numbers.
Participants will develop technical skills through hands-on activities and work-based learning; as well as, development of math and literacy skills in a quasi-classroom setting. The Pre-Apprenticeship Mentoring & Job Readiness program is designed to provide a career pathway and alignment with employer needs and explicit connection to apprenticeship programs. There will also be opportunities for academic and career exploration in construction and the building trades. LYFE will provide strong case management, including screening for benefit eligibility, post-program retention supports, mentorship, fostering alumni networks, and construction workplace culture. There will be training for job search skills, resume development and interview practices.
Program offerings will include financial literacy, life coaching, and education. Program participants will have the opportunity of enhanced exposure to and the ability to interact with construction and building trades workers of the same race, ethnicity, and gender. LYFE will provide a documented plan for transitioning pre-apprenticeship participants into a registered apprenticeship program; and, will provide career and transition services to students that do not enroll into registered apprenticeship program(s).
