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    • Provider Login
    Just-A-Start Corporation
    • 1035 Cambridge Street, #12, Cambridge, MA 02141
    • 617-494-0444
    • Vocational Skills Training
    Just A Start – Information Technology Careers Program
    Program activities:

    This 34 week intensive occupational skills training includes classroom academic technical instruction and exploration of the IT support occupation with partners/employers via tours and guest speakers. Career Readiness/Workforce preparation seminar will run concurrent throughout the duration of the full program.

    Information & Technology training include, but not limited to:

    • IT Help Desk concepts
    • Operating systems and software
    • PC Computer Hardware & Support
    • Networking technologies
    • Customer Service training
    • Career Exploration & Readiness
    Participants receive hands-on experience with troubleshooting & maintaining computers, software, networks and mobile devices.

    Career Exploration and Readiness preparation include, but are not limited to:

    • History, language & culture of information technology industry
    • Employment and career pathways in the Information & Technology industry
    • Job readiness and job seeking techniques (e.g. resumes, interviewing, soft-skills)
    • Microsoft Office Suite & Google Apps

    Frequent written reports and oral presentations are required to strengthen the student’s communication skills and get them accustomed to public speaking. Examinations and quizzes are administered weekly to assess learned knowledge of presented material and determine need for remediation/tutoring intervention.

    Graduates are eligible to apply for college credits at Bunker Hill Community College and Franklin Cummings Tech if they enroll in programs at these institutions.

    Program graduates can continue to receive weekly job seeking and placement support, through one-on-one meetings or small-group seminars focused on improving job seeking skills and identify positions for which they were trained and/or aligned with their career pathway. Support strives to enhance the participants’ skills, increasing motivation and self-confidence to persevere in the job seeking process.

    Program is offered in: English
    Participant demographics:

    Participants must be at least 18 years of age, qualify as low to moderate-low family income limits, have HS diploma or HSE, & demonstrate academic readiness eligibility on Accuplacer assessment.

    Anticipated number of SNAP participants per year: 4
    Total hours: 29
    Program duration: 34 weeks
    Rolling Admission: No
    Number of cycles: 2
    Program start dates: Currently recruiting for September 2024 cohorts
    Sample schedule:
    HoursActivity TypeMonTueWedThuFriSatSun
    9:00am-2:00pmTechnology Classes✓✓✓✓✓
    9:00am-2:00pmBusiness Communications✓✓
    9:00am-2:00pmCareer Exploration ✓✓
    Other Schedule Information: The training is separated into two semesters of academic, classroom-based training. Breaks for 2024-2025 are December 23 – January 3, February 17-21, and April 21-25.
    Is the program offered remotely? Possible, but not typical
    Is public transportation available? Yes

    Location information:

    403 Rindge Ave. Suite #302 Cambridge, MA 02140accessible via public tranportation
    Program requirements: CORI check, SORI check, High school diploma/GED/HiSET, Immunizations/Health Records
    Program is CORI friendly? Yes
    Anticipated outcomes: JAS Certificate of Graduation
    Other outcomes: Employment/Promotion, Industry skills gain, college credits from Bunker Hill Community College or Franklin Cummings Tech

    Participant Supports:

    Participant Support CategoryAs neededAll participants
    DTA SNAP Transportation Support ✓
    Test/License Fees✓
    Books/Supplies✓
    Financial Advising✓
    DTA SNAP Child Care Referral✓
    Are there any out of pocket expenses for the participant? No
    Do participants receive any pay? Stipend paid as a wage
    Other, please explain: Currently, our program only pays a stipend to students who are Somerville or Cambridge residents through contracts with the cities of Somerville and Cambridge.

    Contact Information

    Program Liaison: Korynn Stoyanoff
    Telephone: 617-917-7502
    Email: workforcetraining@justastart.org
    Program code: JAS-VT-BIO
    ABAWD Qualifying? Yes