Overview:
Job placement is the ultimate outcome to determinate the kind trainings and classes CASA offers to the job seekers coming to the Centers, that is why the Vocational Training constantly seeks collaboration and partnerships with many organizations, institutions, employers and colleges in the high quality education and training field in Maryland.
In order to make the training and classes more accessible for the members the program has develop the following FAQ:
1. How can I know about what trainings and classes are currently offered or will be available in the near future?
Contact the Vocational Training Coordinator Juan Pastor Reyes directly at his cell phone 240 838 4719 or at his office 301 431 7466 extension 1107 if he is unavailable to respond please leave a brief message including your full name, the training/class you are interested and a phone number he can contact you.
c. You can ask information about the trainings and classes to any Community Liaison in all 5 Welcome Centers and at the Multicultural Center. .
2. Are the trainings and classes free?
a. CASA is committed to provide accessible and affordable trainings for its members and for this reason CASA guarantee that the trainings and classes are provided under very low cost.
b. There is flexibility in the payments, we encourage our members to take advantage of the payments plan.
3. Are the trainings and classes only for men?
Absolutely no, the Vocational Training Program at CASA follows a Gender-Neutral Policy for employment and offers all trainings and classes for all members regardless of their gender.
4. Are all the trainings in construction?
No, CASA constantly seeks trainings in the fields where exist a high demand of workforce.
5. Do I have to be a regular user of employment services at CASA to enroll in the trainings and classes?
Absolutely no, you just need to be a CASA member and comply with the requirements of the trainings and classes; although there may be trainings and classes exclusively for members who seek employment services in a daily basis.
6. Can CASA guarantee I am going to get a job after graduation?
CASA cannot guarantee any job placement for graduates, the Workforce Development Specialist will guide you and coach you during the job placement process. Remember that CASA seeks trainings in the fields where there is a high demand for workers.
7. Are all trainings in Spanish?
We work very hard to provide the trainings and classes in both languages English and Spanish, although due to the fact that CASA sometimes depends on our partners to provide the trainers/teachers and the curriculum not all the trainings and classes are available in both languages.
8. I am a female member of CASA, why should I take a training that is traditionally for “men”?
Making the Trainings Available for Women
CASA Focuses in Non-Traditional Jobs: Non-traditional jobs are ones that have traditionally been held by men; nevertheless these jobs offer many advantages that traditionally female jobs don’t, including:
Better Wages: According to our records women in traditional jobs generally make between $8.00 to $12.00 dollars per hour, women in not-traditional jobs make between $15.00 to $25.00 dollars per hour.
Personal Development and Self Sufficiency: Non-traditional jobs often have career paths allowing them to earn better wages and move quickly from the entry level. Many women form CASA’s Centers report that they have become the main provider for their families.
Access to Benefits: Women in non-traditional jobs generally have benefits, like health insurance, women in traditional jobs usually don’t.
Quality of Life: Many of our women experience higher quality of life working in non-traditional jobs because they are able to work less hours and still match their economic needs, spending more time with their families. Many women form CASA’s Centers have become self-employed.
CASA Assist Women to overcome barriers: Women enrolled in non-conventional trainings that prepare them for non-traditional jobs usually face difficulties and barriers to successfully complete the training and to obtain a steady job, CASA help them and prepare them before, during and after the trainings:
Before Trainings: The Vocational Training Coordinator teaming with women who graduated from CASA’s trainings vigorously recruits women for the non-conventional trainings. The fact that the graduates are fellow female workers involved in the recruiting process helps future trainees to determinate new interests, aptitudes and aspirations. Women currently working in non-traditional jobs destroy preconceptions about the jobs “that only” are for men.
Women are required to participate in work readiness, life skills classes and one of one couching sessions designed to give immigrant women the skills needed to succeed in a vocational training program for non-traditional jobs.
During the Trainings: Women are encouraged to take free ESOL and financial literacy classes.
After Trainings: The workforce development specialist couches women on one on one basis in all matters related with job seeking. Women can find the support they need to apply to meaningful jobs and get assistance with language barriers.
