Step Up for Women is a 10 week long, employment based, pre-apprenticeship training program designed to prepare adult women for entry level positions and apprenticeships in advanced manufacturing. WHY CHOOSE TO ATTEND THE STEP UP FOR WOMEN AMP PROGRAM? We have over 10 years of experience in training women and helping them secure jobs. We work with graduates until they are employed, no matter how lo
ng it takes! We want you to enter a new career, not just get a job. Our program is no cost to qualified applicants, so you don’t have to go into debt to learn skills! Our county needs a skilled workforce that is dedicated, competitive and creative. Our industries depend on individuals who can design and produce quality parts and materials. Today the manufacturing field is wide open and changing fast. You decide how far you can go. In this industry you can learn as many skills as you want and keep moving up. What you can achieve is up to you. HOW DOES STEP UP PREPARE WOMEN FOR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING CAREERS? Benefits of Attending Step Up for Women AMP
While we do not pay students to attend training, students receive transportation reimbursement of up to 12 cents per mile along with clothing and/or steel toed work boots. We get you ready for a career with everything you need! Hands-On Training
Learn to program high-tech (CNC) machines to make products used in medical, aerospace, pharmaceutical, auto and extraction industries. Learn to measure, inspect and read blueprints. Design and hand create industrial components. Explore developing manufacturing technologies including 3D printing and robotics. Students learn by doing, not watching. Career Readiness
Our students learn the essential skills to prepare, find, and keep a job including: resume writing, interview skills, job hunting techniques, effective communication, budgeting and credit, and basic math review. Industry Overview
Students will have the opportunity to meet with female role models in the manufacturing industry and visit employers. They will also get to take Toolingu online courses specially designed to introduce workers to advanced manufacturing concepts. Eligibility Guidelines:
18 years or older
GED or High School Diploma
Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one during class
Access to reliable transportation
Basic English speaking skills
Basic math skills
A stable living situation
Stable mental health
Physical fitness level sufficient to do physical work all day
Willing to pursue and accept an entry-level advanced manufacturing job
Course Length and Dates
The program is 10 weeks long. You get trained and start working in your new career as soon as possible. Class times for the summer are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9am-5pm. The winter class schedule has not yet been set. The summer class for 2016 is set to begin June 6th and run through August 12th with exit interviews the following week. Applicants are encouraged to apply well in advance of class start dates. Application Process:
Submit the Step Up application either online or by calling our office to receive a paper application. If determined eligible, attend an interview with the Step Up Coordinator. Complete the required assignments given during the interview to be eligible for acceptance. If accepted, attend an orientation session prior to the start of class. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What tests do applicants take during the application process? Applicants are required to take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) at their assigned location. Participants take the TABE test during the application process and again before graduating from the program. This is not a pass/fail test. Results will be evaluated on an individual basis and the score will not stop you from graduating. What is expected of a student? Students are expected to be on time and in attendance every day for class, actively participate in class activities, maintain a positive attitude, and pursue and accept an entry level manufacturing job during or after graduating the class. Will I have to pay any money? No. A grant provided by RCBI and the U.S. Department of Labor will pay tuition
What are the difficulties of jobs in advanced manufacturing? Advanced Manufacturing positions can be very physically and mentally challenging. They require long hours standing on concrete. Workers must sometimes lift up to 40 pounds. The machines themselves are loud and dangerous. An employee must be aware of their actions and surroundings at all times. The work can also be very repetitive, especially in an entry level position. Who is the typical student? Most students are between 25 and 55 with very little or no manufacturing experience. Many are heads of households and/or single parents. What kind of job placement assistance do students receive? The main goal of our program is to help students land entry level advanced manufacturing jobs or apprenticeships. Our program coordinators teach students job development methods and coach them through the process of securing a job. The program coordinator will write resumes and provide technical assistance in getting them into the hands of hiring professionals. Also, students get the opportunity to meet with employers and role models.
