Pathways To Careers

Industry-Based Work Experience Programs

employU partners with a variety of industry-specific associations to offer customers vocational training and internship opportunities that create pathways for customers to gain experience in industries they are interested in. Many industries – such as manufacturing, construction, hospitality, and more – are in great need of skilled employees and are willing to offer training and certification opportunities to build their labor force.

By participating in these special programs, customers develop specific job-related skills and can receive certifications like an OSHA 10 certification which teaches safe practices for highly skilled positions. The workforce education and training provided by these programs allows customers to pursue a career path with little to no student loan debt.

Also known as on-the-job training, work-based learning programs offer customers the opportunity to gain first-hand, real work experience at local businesses, and contribute to the workforce while building sustainable career pathways for themselves.

Customers are paid while they participate in the six to eight week work experiences at a partner business. They can also complete multiple work experiences to enhance skill sets in different areas of the business.

The construction field is in high demand in Florida and customers in Duval, Brevard, and Volusia Counties are able to gain first-hand experience in the many trades this industry has to offer. Upon completion of the program, customers receive an OSHA 10 certification which teaches safe practices for highly skilled positions. Some students may also be able to enter apprenticeship programs upon completion of the on-the-job training experience.

There are a variety of positions available in these industries that include:

• Clerical – assisting with the administrative portions of construction management. Using computers, filing paperwork relating to construction projects, and other organizing duties.

• Maintenance – conducting upkeep on construction projects like painting, landscaping, inventorying equipment, and assisting on-site project managers.
• Specialized Construction Trade – acting in specialized roles of different builders and contractors to assist with the completion of projects. Could include carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, framing, and many other specialized trades.

B.R.I.C.K. – Brevard Internship in Construction Knowledge Program

Brevard County Builders and Contractors has partnered with employU to offer work experience programs in construction trades in Brevard County. These positions are in high demand. Customers can take advantage of on-the-job training programs. Upon completion of the program, customers receive an OSHA 10 certification which teaches safe practices for highly skilled positions.

V.O.I.C.E. – Volusia Organizing Internships in Construction Employment

New in 2020, Volusia County construction and trade businesses are offering vocational training internship opportunities for employU customers. The construction trades are in high demand in Volusia County, and lead to high paying careers with little to no student debt. The program offers employU customers on-the-job training experiences to help fill this demand. Upon competition of the program, students receive an OSHA 10 certification which teaches safe practices for highly skilled positions.

Jacksonville Construction

The Northeast Florida Builders Association has partnered with employU to offer work experience programs in the construction and trade industries. Positions in these industries are in high demand in Duval County and customers are able to take advantage of a new on-the-job training program.

H.O.P.E. – Hospitality Opportunities Promoting Employment

Florida is known for its lucrative tourism industry, and these jobs are always in high demand. The hospitality program allows customers to gain hands on experience in a variety of areas and build skills that are highly sought after in this industry. 

employU’s H.O.P.E. program focuses on career exploration in the hospitality field, offering paid vocational training internship opportunities for youth and adult customers. Customers can gain experience through a variety of fields such as culinary, reception, customer service, housekeeping, and maintenance.  The venues where these work-based learning experiences take place are just as varied as the positions available. Venues range from full-service hotels to sporting arenas. This provides the unique opportunity for clients to gain new skills and become well-versed in many aspects of the hospitality industry as they work multiple on-the-job trainings within the program. 

Hotel work experience positions:

• Clerical – learn the ins and outs of the industry with various opportunities from food preparation, delivery, catering, and set up and break down of events. Various locations from full service hotel opportunities to sports event venues.
• Front Desk and Reception – learn the art of customer service and how to interact with guests from around the world. Check guests in, teach them about the hotel and the amazing sights in Volusia County to make their stay memorable.
• Housekeeping – do you like to clean and organize? Learn how to set up rooms for special events, prepare guests rooms, and keep the hotel guest-ready!

Restaurant work experience positions:

There are many opportunities in the restaurant industry to find a niche. From back-of-the-house to customer-facing, customers can experience a wide variety of jobs to suit their individual interests.

• Front-of-the-house- interact one-on-one with guests.
• Culinary and food prep – is creating amazing meals a passion? Learn from experienced chefs how to prepare different dishes to delight any guest.
• Back-of-the-house – learn what it takes to keep a restaurant clean and tidy for enjoyable guest experiences.

There is significant need for skilled employees in the manufacturing industry, particularly on the Space Coast where manufacturing contributes 21% to the GDP. Customers who participate in this program are offered the opportunity to explore a wide array of manufacturing positions from assembly to high-tech product testing and specialized product development. It is certainly a career path to consider as the average annual earnings in this field is $89,536.

There are a variety of positions available in these industries that include:

• Clerical – assisting with the administrative portions of manufacturing management. Using computers, filing paperwork relating to manufacturing projects, and other organizing duties.
• Maintenance – various maintenance duties specific to the manufacturer.
• Specialized Manufacturing – wide array of manufacturing from assembly to high-tech product testing and specialized product development.

Brevard Manufacturing Program

Several Brevard County manufacturers have partnered with employU to offer on-the-job training programs. Manufacturing careers are in high demand in Brevard County and customers are able to take advantage of these work experience programs. Upon completion of the program, students receive an OSHA 10 certification which teaches safe practices for highly skilled positions.

employU has maintained partnerships with retailers across the state that offer on-the-job training experiences to customers. In that time, we have developed close relationships with many of the stores, managers, and staff. The Retail Work Experience Program is designed to provide an immersion experience for customers interested in all aspects of the industry from tagging, sorting and stocking to building customer services skills, there is so much to explore in retail.

employU is a proud partner of Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital and St. Lucie County Public Schools in the Project SERACH Transition to Work Program. This program serves high school students with disabilities who are on an Individual Education Program (IEP) and in their last year of high school eligibility.

The Project SEARCH Transition to Work program is a unique, business-led, one-year employment preparation program that takes place entirely at the workplace. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through worksite rotations. The program culminates in individualized job development.

Learn more about Project SEARCH at www.projectsearch.us/transition-to-work