On November 14th, Citizens Bank Chairman and CEO Bruce Van Saun, Massachusetts President Jerry Sargent along with Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh helped to announce the 2018 Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities awards. This opportunity was part of a new national partnership supporting health related workforce development trainings where three cities across the country were selected to enhance their existing Bridges to Career Opportunities (BCO) programming. LISC Boston will receive $150,000 to support the continuation of the BCO programs that Jewish Vocational Services Inc. (JVS). The programs prepares low-skilled adults to compete for high-demand jobs with strong career pathways and living wage salaries.
(JVS) has been a LISC Financial Opportunity Center for over five years, integrating their dynamic workforce development programs and educational curriculum with financial coaching. More recently JVS has seen students excel within their health related programs which include training for students to enter industry tracks such as STEM, Biotechnology and Healthcare Information Technology. Students who complete the JVS bridges program typically attend college degree programs which lead to careers as Quality Technicians, Manufacturing technicians, or health care IT professions. To date, JVS has supported over 400 clients through the Bridges to Career Opportunities funding, those placed in jobs receive on average $23 dollars an hour, and 143 participants begin college degree programs.
We are excited to continue to offer these much needed educational and workforce development funds to continue to assist living wage salaries.