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Just-A-Start Corporation
  • 1035 Cambridge Street, #12, Cambridge, MA 02141
  • 617-494-0444
  • Vocational Skills Training
Just A Start – Biomedical 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 cohort
Sample schedule:
HoursActivity TypeMonTueWedThuFriSatSun
9:00am-2:00pmChemistry Fundamentals (Spring)
9:00am-2:00pmBiology Fundamentals (Spring)
9:00am-2:00pmCareer Exploration (Spring and Summer)
9:00am-2:00pmBiotechnology Lab (Summer)
Other Schedule Information: The first semester of training is focused on academic, classroom-based training in Biology and Chemistry Fundamentals. The second semester of the program focused on Biotechnology laboratory skills training. During both semesters the students work on career and job readiness skills. 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 transportation
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 at Bunker Hill Community College or Franklin Cummings Tech

Participant Supports:

Participant Support CategoryAll participantsAs needed
DTA SNAP Transportation Support
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
Program code: JAS-VT-BIO
ABAWD Qualifying? Yes