Workforce Development

Why We Do It workforce development

One of the keys to achieving self-sufficiency is having a job that pays a livable wage with benefits and an opportunity for career advancement. Many in our region are underemployed because of a lack of marketable job skills and 8% of the residents of our community are jobless due to the economic downturn. In order for our community to be a vibrant place where hopes and dreams are realized, we must have an educated and empowered workforce.

Brighton Center's Workforce Development department serves job seekers of our region.
Career Connections provides core, intensive, and training services for Workforce Investment Act (WIA) participants through the One Stop Northern Kentucky, with locations in both Covington and Florence. For over 30 years, Brighton Center has conducted job training programs for adults and youth. Since April 1997, the Center has offered comprehensive and holistic training through the Center for Employment Training (CET). Step Up serves teenage mothers and youth who have dropped out of school with a three-phase program: GED preparation, life skills and parenting training; job readiness; and placement in employment and/or post-secondary education.

Career Connections
Career Connections provides assistance to individuals who were separated from their previous job, or those who are unemployed or underemployed. Career Advisors work under the guidelines of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to administer both pre-employment and post- employment services designed to assist individuals (Adult & Dislocated Workers) with resume development, interviewing skills, job search, connections to trainings, and on-the-job training opportunities. Employment Specialists work one-on-one with participants to address their needs, offer support, and help them achieve their employment goals. Career Connections is specialized in connecting individuals to careers within the Information Technology, Transportation, Services and Advanced Manufacturing industries. The Career Connections' staff works on-site at the One Stop Northern Kentucky Career Centers in Covington and Florence.

Career Connections also responds to businesses and companies who are closing or who are laying off individuals. A Rapid Response team is assembled with representatives that go on-site to local companies to provide assistance and support to affected employees who are being separated from their jobs through no fault of their own.

Center for Employment Training (CET)
CET is a short-term, skill specific educational and workforce development program that is accredited through the Council on Occupational Education. The program strives to create educational and employment opportunities for trainees to achieve a higher level of self- sufficiency. Training is accessible, flexible, timely, hands-on, highly individualized and self- paced. CET does not conduct testing as a pre-requisite to entry, and allows individuals open- entry and open-exit depending on the students' progress. No high school diploma or GED is required. Trainees can prepare for the GED on site.

CET provides a unique, immersive educational experience combining instruction in a technical skill with a focus on personal and professional development. This essential aspect sets us apart from many vocational training institutes as we make all of Brighton Center's resources available to assist our trainees in eliminating barriers to success and fully preparing them to transition into the workplace. Also, Career Service Specialists work closely with trainees to help develop a resume, learn interviewing skills, find workplace externship opportunities and get connected to local employers who are hiring.

CET offers 3 courses of study that prepare trainees for livable wage careers in high growth fields:

Medical Assisting trainees are provided the practical knowledge and the clinical skills to succeed in some of the highest demand areas of the healthcare field. Core classes in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and medical ethics provide a strong foundation. Hands-on clinical skills such as vital signs, EKG, wound care, and phlebotomy complete this challenging course.
Microsoft Office Technology prepares trainees for Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification in Microsoft Office 2007. Core classes consist of extensive hands-on training in keyboarding, communications, SMART Board technology, office administration, and professional use and integration of Microsoft Office applications.
Construction & Manufacturing Technologies prepares trainees for a career in the construction or manufacturing trades. Trainees will receive OSHA-10 safety certification, nationally recognized construction certifications, and hands-on worksite experience, including carpentry skills covering framing, cabinetmaking, millwork and stair building.

Step Up / Young Parent Demonstration Project
Step Up provides services to out-of-school youth (16-21 years) who are in need of their GED and/or a job. Youth work toward obtaining their GED, learn effective parenting techniques, receive valuable training in life skills, health and become prepared for various career opportunities. The Young Parent Demonstration Project is a recent US Department of Labor funded initiative that provides intensive Career Mentoring activities to individuals [age: 16-24] from both CET & Step Up who are parenting or expecting a child.

88% adults and dislocated workers served through Career Connections entered employment. 94% retained that employment six months after placement. 179 individuals received training through our Center for Employment Training (CET). 70% that were placed into jobs after completing the program were working at 12 months follow-up. 33 individuals received their GED's while participating in CET or our Step Up. Workforce Development served over 25,000 individuals last year alone.

Contact Us:

Center for Employment Training
Step Up
601 Washington Avenue, Suite 140
Newport, KY 41071
Phone: (859) 491-8303, ext. 2200
Fax: (859) 261-2557

Career Connections
320 Garrard Street
Covington, KY 41011
Phone: (859) 292-6666, ext. 265
Fax: (859) 292-6777

Career Connections - Florence
8020 Veteran's Boulevard
Florence, KY 41042
Phone: (859) 371-0808, ext. 600