Jobs

Programs For Workers Seeking Jobs

Job Preparation and search

American Job Centers (CT Works Career Centers)

  1. Program Description: The CT Works Career Centers provide services, such as:
    1. Employment workshops;
    2. Resume assistance;
    3. Computerized job matching;
    4. Assessment and employability planning;
    5. Vocational counseling;
    6. Job referral and placement;
    7. Labor market information; and
    8. Self-service job search support services including:
      1. Research materials;
      2. Phones;
      3. Fax machines;
      4. Postage;
      5. Personal computers;
      6. Software to design and print resumes; and
      7. Free access to the Internet for job search purposes.
  2. Eligibility Requirements: American Job Centers are open to anyone who is unemployed and seeking job search assistance.
  3. Sponsor: The CT Works Career Centers are run by the American Job Centers with locations in Bridgeport, Ansonia, Danbury, Danielson, Derby (Valley), Enfield, Hamden, Hartford, Manchester, Meriden, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Norwich, Stamford, Torrington, Waterbury, and Willimantic.

Jobs First Employment Services (JFES)

  1. Program Description:
    1. The JFES program is for certain people receiving Temporary Family Assistance from the state and determined eligible for this work participation program.  
    2. Services provided include: resume assistance, interview preparation and job search guidance.
    3. The JFES program takes a balanced "work-first" approach, which requires participants to maintain 35 hours/week of work-related activity, such as:
      1. Attending school;
      2. Working a part-time job;
      3. Searching for a job; or
      4. Spending time in community-based services provided by JFES doing resume work, interview prep, and similar job-search-related activities.
  2. Eligibility: The JFES program is required for certain people receiving Temporary Family Assistance, the state cash assistance program. Some individuals receiving assistance may be exempt.  Check the below link for program details.
  3. Sponsor: The JFES program is jointly run by the CT Department of Social Services (DSS) and the CT Department of Labor (DOL).

Connecticut Libraries and JobNow

  1. Program Description:
    1. JobNow provides live interactive online help combined with online resources to guide job seekers through the necessary steps to get a job.
    2. Included services:
      1. "Resume Lab" service: Library patrons can send their resume to a JobNow expert, and receive professional analysis within 24 hours; and
      2. Live Interview Coaching: Connect with a live interview coach to brush up on interview skills. Easy-to-use, free Internet resources for job seekers, including personality and career assessments.
  2. Eligibility: The JobNow Service is available to anyone who has a public library card.
  3. Sponsor: The JobNow service is run by a private for-profit company called Brainfuse.

JETS Employment Transitions Services

  1. Program Description:
    1. The JETS Program offers individuals free services, including:
      1. Workshops and networking opportunities;
      2. HR services- resume assistance, career counseling, interview preparation; and
      3. Financial counseling on consumer issues offered through a volunteer Money Coach.
    2. The JETS Program also offers employers the opportunity to advertise positions via the free weekly JETS Job Opportunities Newsletter. There is no fee to employers.
  2. Eligibility Requirements: Any member of the public.
  3. Sponsor: The program is run by the Jewish Family Services in West Hartford.
  4. For more information: 860-236-1927, info@jfshartford.org

American Job Centers

  1. Program Description:
    1. The Everyone Works program offers assistive technology and job search assistance services to people with disabilities using specific CT Works Career Centers.
    2. Services/assistive technologies include:
      1. Interpreter services;
      2. Benefits counseling and information on education and training programs;
      3. Screen reader, magnification with speech, text to speech;
      4. Word prediction;
      5. Braille translator; and
      6. Voice recognition.
  2. Eligibility Requirements: Everyone Works is open to anyone with a disability seeking job assistance.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program's (SNAP) Employment and Training

  1. Program Description:
    1. SNAP's Employment and Training initiative is a voluntary program available to those receiving SNAP benefits.
    2. The Employment and Training initiative was created to help SNAP households gain skills that will increase self-sufficiency.
    3. If a participant is receiving SNAP in Connecticut, they may be eligible to participate in one of the following activities:
      1. English as a Second Language;
      2. General Equivalency Diploma;
      3. Adult Basic Education;
      4. Work Experience; or
      5. Structured Job Search Skill Training.
  2. Eligibility Requirements: A participant must be at least 18 years old and receiving SNAP assistance.
  3. Sponsor: This program is run by the CT Department of Social Services (DSS).

Job Training

Ready to Work

  1. Program Description:
    1. The Senior Community Service Employment Program provides job skills training to low-income Individuals, age 55 and older in Connecticut.
    2. Participants are placed in temporary training assignments where they gain valuable on-the-job work experience.
  2. Eligibility Requirements: Participants must be age 55 years or older and unemployed in Connecticut.
  3. Sponsor: This program is funded by the United States Department of Labor (DOL).

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

  1. Program Description:
    1. SCSEP is a federally funded program that matches low income older adults age 55+ with jobs in the private or non-profit sector.
    2. Enrollees are placed in subsidized employment for 20 hours per week for up to two years.
    3. SCSEP pairs participants with non-profit companies and government agencies.
  2. Eligibility Requirements:
    1. Participants must be 55+ years old, unemployed and have an income no more than 125% of the federal poverty level.
    2. Participants must reside in Fairfield, Litchfield, or New Haven County.
    3. Participants must work 20 hours per week at minimum wage.
  3. Sponsor: This program is run by the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board with offices located in Waterbury, New Haven and Bridgeport.

Apprenticeship Training

  1. Program Description:
    1. Eligible participants are directly hired by businesses.
    2. The Apprenticeship Training requires on-the-job training with related instruction.
  2. Eligibility:
    1. The apprentice must also attend school while being a full-time employee to fulfill the requirements of the apprenticeship (if the school is not free of charge, 50% of schooling is paid by the hiring business and the other 50% by the employee).
    2. The apprentice must be at least 16 years old.
  3. Sponsor: The Apprenticeship Training program is run by the CT Department of Labor (DOL).

Opportunities Industrialization Centers (OIC)

  1. Program Description:
    1. OIC is a non-profit company that conducts employment training programs to increase employment opportunities for unemployed or underemployed people with limited incomes.
    2. Training programs offered include: internships, customer service, and bartender training.
    3. This program targets the out of school youth population ages 18-21.
  2. Eligibility Requirements: This program is for out-of-school youths seeking unemployment assistance.
  3. Sponsor: This program is run by Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America with locations in New London (860-447-1731) and New Britain (860-224-7151).

Programs for Businesses Seeking Workers

Job Placement

Platform to Employment (P2E)

  1. Program Description:
    1. The P2E program finds skilled, experienced employees and gives businesses a risk-free opportunity to evaluate talent prior to making a hire.
    2. The P2E program works with businesses that have an existing, open position that needs to be filled, by matching employers with qualified, screened and ready-to-work job candidates.
    3. Candidates are required to attend a five week prep program followed by an 8 week work trial.
    4. The P2E program will pay100% of the first four weeks of an employee's wages during the 8 week work trial, and 50% of the last four weeks.
  2. Additional Eligibility Requirements: The potential worker must be suffering from long-term unemployment (i.e. unemployed for more than 27 weeks).
  3. Sponsor: This program is run by a private for-profit company called the WorkPlace and is based in Bridgeport, CT.

Hiring Incentives

Subsidized Training and Employment Program (STEP)

  1. Program Description
    1. This program provides wage and training incentives to employers that hire an unemployed jobseeker.
    2. STEP features two types of hiring incentives:
    3. The Small Business Program: A wage subsidy, which helps pay a new employee's salary up to $12,000 for the first six months of employment. This program is open to companies that have fewer than 100 employees.
    4. The Manufacturers Program: A training grant that provides employers up to $12,500 over 180 days for wage reimbursement. This program is open to manufacturing companies of 100 employees or less.
  2. Additional Eligibility Requirements: None
  3. Sponsor: This program is run by the CT Department of Labor (DOL).

Unemployed Armed Forces Member STEP UP Program

  1. Program Description: An employer can earn up to $20 per hour (maximum $12,000) subsidy for one unemployed military veteran's employee training and compensation.
  2. Additional Eligibility Requirements: To qualify, a business must hire a new employee who:
    1. Is currently unemployed and has served in the Armed Forces or Reserves and was honorably discharged; and
    2. Has served a minimum of 90 days and can also provide a DD214 form (a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty Form).
  3. Sponsor: This program is run by the CT Department of Labor (DOL).

Small Business Express Program - Job Creation Incentive Loans

  1. Program Description:
    1. Loans range from $10,000 to a maximum of $300,000 and may be available for the following:
      1. The purchase of machinery and equipment;
      2. Construction;
      3. Leasehold improvements;
      4. Training;
      5. Working capital; or
      6. Other business-related expenses approved by DECD's Commissioner.
    2. The loan has a maximum 5-year term from the year a business' application is approved.
    3. The Department of Economic and Community Development determines loan terms, conditions, and collateral requirements.
  2. Additional Eligibility Requirements: A business must:
    1. Employ not more than 50 employees; and
    2. Be registered to conduct business in the state of CT for at least 12 months.
  3. Sponsor: This program is run by the CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).

Small Business Express Program - Matching Grant Fund

  1. Program Description:
    1. The Matching Grant Fund is a dollar-for-dollar grant program. If a company applies for a $10,000 grant, they would have to show they have $10,000 to put towards their project.
    2. Theintent of the matching grant program is full-time job creation. 
    3. Grant Fund amounts range from $10,000 to $300,000.
  2. Additional Eligibility Requirements: A business must:
    1. Employ not more than 50 employees; and
    2. Be registered to conduct business in the state of CT for at least 12 months.
  3. Sponsor: This program is run by the CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).