Frederick Community College joined local partners on June 18 to celebrate the completion of a unique pilot program that provided free job training to residents of the Housing Authority of the City of Frederick.

The Success, Opportunities, Advancement and Readiness (SOAR) in Employment program was created to give residents aged 18 to 24 skilled labor training to help them obtain jobs in the building industries. It was developed in partnership with Frederick County Workforce Services (FCWS), the Housing Authority of the City of Frederick, and the Frederick County Building & Industry Association (FCBIA) and was funded by the United Way and the Workforce Investment Act.

“This program is an asset to our community and provides critical assistance to hardworking community members who want to better themselves,” said Patricia Meyer, Director of Workforce Training. “We thank FCBIA, FCWS and the Housing Authority for their work to make this program possible and we are grateful to our faculty and staff who helped make it a success.”

FCC faculty members provided instruction in print reading, construction math, soft skills, first aid/CPR, OSHA Safety for Construction, HILTI Powder Actuated Tools, Lead Awareness, Forklift Training, and introductory sessions in carpentry, welding, HVAC, and electrical. Adult Basic Education faculty members also provided instruction in math to assist with assessing and documenting knowledge gains.

The completion ceremony took place at the Monroe Center, where classes for the program had been held. During the ceremony, FCBIA staff presented program leaders with a check for $1,000 to be used to help the program continue.

Three participants of the program have already received job offers. Program leaders will be working with the remaining participants to help them secure local employment in their trade area of interest.