Office of Training & Employment

 The Office of Training & Employment concentrates its efforts on providing services to aid employable persons in moving toward self-sufficiency, building self-confidence, and finding gainful employment.  Because employment is the first step towards financial independence, SHORE UP!, Inc. has developed several projects to meet that need. Individuals who meet established program guidelines are eligible for services regardless of race, creed, gender, color, religion, national origin or handicap.

Central Transportation

   Central Transportation offers transportation service to SHORE UP! customers as well as operating the Agency Garage to maintain all agency vehicles, such as Head Start school buses and Senior Service vans.

Foster Grandparents Program

The Foster Grandparents program allows area senior citizens a chance to give back to the community in offering personalized attention for children with special needs.  Foster Grandparents are a valuable resource in the community, helping children develop the skills, confidence, and strength needed to succeed in life.  The personal satisfaction a foster grandparent experiences upon making a positive impact on a child's life is immeasurable.  SHORE UP!'s Foster Grandparent program serves in Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, Caroline, and Dorchester Counties and is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

 Health Assistant Training

HAT is an 5-week course (3 weeks in class with a 2 week practicum), free to qualifying individuals, that provides classroom instruction with clinical experience at the Holly Center as well as in area nursing homes.   Individuals who complete the course become Certified Geriatric Nursing Assistants, often the first step to a long and fulfilling health care career. Instruction and training includes, but is not limited to, human anatomy and physiology, vital signs monitoring, CPR certification, infection control, as well as clinical experience in area health care institutions. To qualify for the program, participants must be referred by the local Workforce Investment Board, be 18 years of age or older, be a resident of Wicomico, Worcester, or Somerset County, be economically disadvantaged per federal guidelines, and score at least an 8th grade academic level on a general aptitude test.

 Job Start

Job Start is Fresh Start model and is funded by the Wicomico Partnership for Families and Children.  The program offers troubled youth, ages 14-21, who have been referred by the Dept. of Juvenile Services a chance to get off the streets and back on the right track by giving them the tools to succeed and permanently place them with gainful employment.  This is accomplished through a variety of methods including GED training, classroom sessions, career counseling, and on-site job training at a variety of vocational outlets. 

The Job Start program consists of the following 38-week "modules":

• Tool Belt (8 weeks):  Participants learn about hand tools, safety in the workplace, attitude, principles of work, and what employers expect.
• Laboratory (8 weeks):  Participants are assigned to training sites and receive hands-on training.
• Work Maturity (8 weeks):  Participants learn about resumes, cover letters, job interviews, and career goals.
• Work Experience (8 weeks):  Participants are placed with a job in their community where they can earn a living wage.
• Job Placement (6 weeks):  Participants are assisted with finding permanent, full-time employment.

Throughout the program participants must complete:

• 5 hours community service per week
• 7 house of GED a week
• Homework once a week
• Tutoring
• Mentoring
• Project newsletter
• Weekly self-evaluations

However, Job Start clients learn more than just math, reading, and carpentry skills.  They learn the value of teamwork.  The success of Job Start hinges on the idea that troubled youth must learn to work in a team atmosphere and learn to bring a project to completion before they can succeed in the workplace.   

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