San Diego was recently selected as one of 10 cities across the country to replicate the Platform to Employment (P2E) program, thanks to funding from AARP Foundation, Citi Community Development and the Walmart Foundation. P2E, which was started in southwestern Connecticut by The WorkPlace, addresses the specific needs of unemployed workers over 50 and military veterans.
The program is a proven model that demonstrates that the right job readiness programming, combined with personal and family support services and financial counseling, can return the long-term unemployed to the workforce. To date, P2E has placed 80% of program participants into work experience programs, with nearly 90% of these individuals moving on to full-time employment.
Here in San Diego, 24 selected job seekers are currently participating in a five-week preparatory program. Following successful completion, P2E will help participants find open positions with local employers. As an added benefit to the businesses, training wages are subsidized by the program.
Check out the segment of Platform to Employment on 60 Minutes.