2 Nuts and Bolts STEPPING STONES Stepping Stones in the Virginia Peninsula  Promote a seamless progression from The Virginia Peninsula Career Pathways initiative is one educational stepping stone to another, and across work-based meeting manufacturers’ workforce needs by engaging a consortium of 14 major employers, training and education, so individuals’ along with the local Workforce Investment Board, efforts result in progress. Individuals labor unions, community colleges, and six school should have the opportunity to districts, among other partners. Based on in-depth progress in their careers by obtaining interviews with employers, the initiative new training and credentials. Job- developed 11 career pathway profiles representing driven training programs should make more than 11,000 jobs in advanced and precision it easy for individuals to transition from manufacturing technologies on the Virginia one post-secondary program to Peninsula, and documenting necessary educational another, including Registered levels, credentials, and work experience requirements. The initiative takes workers where Apprenticeships and occupational they are and helps them progress from essential training programs, and from basic skills and basic education to classroom and on-the- education programs into post- job training resulting in credentials and leading to secondary programs. employment and continual on-the-job skills upgrade and advancement, including through Registered Apprenticeships. Breaking Down Barriers in Albany OPENING DOORS  Break down barriers to accessing job- LaDasia, a single mother with two sons under the age driven training and hiring for any of two, wanted to find training so that she could stop American who is willing to work, relying on TANF and become financially independent. including access to supportive services She enrolled in a certified nursing assistant program and relevant guidance. In order for at the Albany Community Action Partnership (ACAP), a training programs to work, they need to partner to an HPOG grantee. ACAP has provided be accessible for the people who need intensive case management throughout her them most. Job-driven training participation in the program. During the training, LaDasia’s mother was incarcerated and LaDasia programs should provide needed needed help to maintain her public assistance and supportive services such as transportation for getting her children to child care. transportation, child care, and financial After completing training, ACAP helped her obtain her and benefits counseling. Programs also driver’s license and secure full-time employment. should provide accommodations for LaDasia reached her six-month job retention persons with disabilities (including milestone, but it was not easy. A few months in, her supported employment services where son was diagnosed with autism and she had to juggle needed) in order to allow all individuals his therapy with her job. LaDasia has persisted and has been invited back by the program to share her to benefit from these opportunities. experiences with others, encouraging them to press on even when the going gets tough. 31