Workforce System Success Stories - Workforce Development and Adult Learning

MEET JAMARIAN...

Anne Arundel County Youth Program helps alternative high school student transition to full-time employment after graduation.

Jamarian was a senior enrolled in the “Career X” program offered at the Annapolis Night School. The program, which integrated academics, occupational training, and work readiness skills, was jointly supported by Anne Arundel County’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I program for in-school youth, and the WIOA Title II Adult and Family Literacy Services program.

From the beginning of his time in the program, the team who worked with Jamarian described him as an ideal student. “He was always punctual, attentive, eager to learn, and keen to complete assignments as soon as possible,” said one of the teachers on the team that led the program. As Jamarian worked through career exploration activities and completed interest and skills assessments, he discovered he had an interest in the electrical industry.

To learn more, he met virtually and in-person with electrical foremen and construction industry managers. He researched electrical training requirements, identified available jobs, and even job shadowed a variety of electrical career positions. Along the way he made the most of his program by learning workplace excellence skills and working closely with a career specialist to set short-term and long-term career goals, implement targeted job search strategies, create customized cover letters and resumes, and participate in mock interviews to prepare for the real thing.

Jamarian’s hard work paid off when he landed an internship with Weisman Electric Company. Throughout the internship, Jamarian maintained an excellent grade point average, despite a demanding schedule. His internship sponsor was impressed by his work ethic and talent and offered him a fulltime position with the company. Today Jamarian has a high school degree and full-time employment. He has a solid start on a career and a future to look forward to.