The purpose of the project is to establish bilingual workforce training and education programs for latino residents of reading and berks county

This $1,000,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration under the Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending program (CFDA 17.289) will fund bilingual workforce training and education programs for Latino residents of Reading and Berks County, Pennsylvania through December 31, 2025. The Berks Latino Workforce Development Center will establish employment services, English as a Second Language instruction, allied health occupation programs, and high school equivalency programs with the goals of recruiting 100 low-income Hispanic individuals, attaining credentials for 75% of participants, and placing 75% of individuals into employment with 40% higher median earnings after exit. Reading Area Community College will provide certified instructors for phlebotomy training classes, and the Berks Literacy Council will offer ESL/digital literacy instruction at the Workforce Development Center facility. If successful, this funding aims to help Latino residents through improved language, job training and placement outcomes.

Goals of the program: a. Establish employment services to conduct basic outreach, recruitment, and case management of eligible individuals for blwdc's education and workforce training program B. In collaboration with reading areas community college and berks literacy council, establish english as a second language program and allied health occupational health programs at blwdc's TEC centro facility C. Provide high school equivalency programs leading to attainment of GED for latino clients of blwdc D. Provide follow up services for individuals exiting blwdc education and training programs. Activities performed a. Employment services including outreach, recruitment, career assessment, case management and job placement to be performed by blwdc B. Certified nursing assistant occupational training - to be performed by reading area community college (two classes per year) C. Phlebotomy technician - to be performed by reading area community college (two classes per year) D. English as a second language - to be performed by the berks literacy council (two classes per year) E. High school/GED programs - to be provided by blwdc instructors deliverables a. Recruit, screen and enroll 100 low income hispanics for enrollment in ESL, GED and occupational training programs B. 75% of placed individuals will retain employment the 2ND quarter after exit. C. Median earnings - by the 2ND quarter after exit, following placement, 75% of placed individuals will increase their median earnings by 40% D. Credential attainment: 75% of individuals enrolled will attain state credentials in phlebotomy and nursing assistant. E. Credential attainment: 80% of ESL students will improve two tested levels by the end of the class F. Credential attainment: 60% of GED students will achieve a GED within one year of enrollment. Intended beneficiary low and moderate income (less than 80% of area median income) and latino residents of reading and berks county, PA subrecipient activities reading area community college - provision of state certified instructors for phlebotomy classes at blwdc berks literacy council - provision of ESL/digital literacy classes at blwdc