When Stephen first came to CEP, he was looking for options for better job opportunities. He had just obtained his HSED in Indianhead Community Action Agency’s Wisconsin Fresh Start Program. The Wisconsin Fresh Start provides on-site home construction training, work experience, academic instruction and supportive services for Out-of-School Youth. Young adults in the program receive individualized tutoring to complete a HSED along with receiving on-site new house construction training. The housing sites are the vehicles for employment training and are at the center of a comprehensive program of educational and support services, including career and post-secondary education exploration.
When he met with a CEP Workforce System Specialist, he was working part-time for the Wisconsin Fresh Start Program as a Crew Member for minimum wage and had interest in furthering his education in the construction. Stephen has a love for construction, but has limited physical abilities from being in a near death auto accident. In March 2016, Stephen was upgraded within Indianhead Community Action Agency to be a Home Repair Specialist working 32 hours per week at a starting wage of $14.50 per hour with an opportunity to have health insurance benefits. Through the WIOA On-the-Job-Training (OJT) Upgrade Program, Stephen was able to receive training on the job to help him continue to build the skills he needs to succeed in a career in the construction industry.
One of Stephen’s co-workers said, "He is my right hand man. I couldn’t be any happier to have such a wonderful hard working young man work with me."
