Program Description: 

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Project GUIDE (Geared to Understanding and Identifying Desired Employment) is a 14-week pre-apprenticeship program that offers youth ages 16-24 job readiness and technical skills training and paid internship opportunities with local businesses in fast growing industries. 

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Customized Workforce Training for In-Demand Industries: 

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In June 2021, we are launched our first cohort for Project GUIDE in partnership with Frederick Community College. We specialize in customizing workforce training for in-demand industries that prepare youth ages 16-24 for entry level positions. The first in-demand industry selected for the pre-apprenticeship program is Construction and Skilled Trades. The construction and skilled trades industry is considered one of the top five largest industries in Frederick County and has a +8.3 percent 5-year job growth rate.* Also, this industry offers the opportunity for substantial wage and career growth, which makes it more accessible for youth to gain employment and earn a living-wage.* 

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*FCWS Industry Snapshot Construction & Skilled Trades

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Program Breakdown: 

During our training program, trainees will take part in an intensive 8-week paid training, which consists of strengthening their job readiness, financial literacy, and technical skills, learning construction math and measurement, completing hands-on projects in a lab setting, and assist local community organizations with home improvement projects. While in the program, trainees will have the opportunity to earn industry recognized credentials such as, forklift operator and OSHA 10 certifications. After successfully completing 8 weeks of in-classroom training, trainees will transition into a 6-week paid internship with a local employer in the construction and skilled trades. Throughout the program, trainees receive one-on-one career coaching to provide guidance in selecting one of the following career tracks: 

•    Registered Apprenticeship Programs
•    Academic or Vocational Education Programs
•    Permanent employment in related field
•    Permanent employment in a non-related field

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Purpose of Project GUIDE:  

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Project GUIDE is a direct response to the growing number of youths in the Frederick County area that have a household income at or below the ALICE threshold, meaning they have insufficient income to offset the basic cost of living. Our program aims to create pathways that increase the economic mobility of youth identified as ALICE by equipping them with essential workplace readiness and financial literacy skills to gain access to living-wage jobs and make better financial decisions. As a result, we are able to increase the confidence level and leadership capacity of youth and build a talent pipeline that connects, confident, resilient youth to employers who are committed to creating opportunities and providing on-the-job training.

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Program Eligibility Requirements:

• Frederick County resident.

• Must be between the age of 16-24.

• Must be able to pass a drug test. 

• Must meet the income requirements for your household size. (Ex. A person with a family size of four (4) household income cannot exceed $79,600). 

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*Note: Frederick County Area Median Income (AMI) is the HUD Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) median income

Our talent pipeline yields the following: 

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Program Participants Receive: ​

• Paid Stipend

• One-On-One Job Coaching

• Networking Opportunities with Industry Professionals

• No-Cost Training

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Professional Support Businesses Receive: 

• Increase Visibility 

• Networking Opportunities

• Cultural Competency Training

• Valuable Tax Incentives

• Increase Workforce Diversity

• Low-Cost Job-Ready Interns

• Access to New Talent 

Our Training Program

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