The Workforce Development
arm of BRIDGES, also known as BRIDGES-Workforce
Development, provides employment services to more than 3,000 individuals
annually, all referred by the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS). The
program is comprised of three major areas: Career Services, Career Skills Training and Job Development.
Career Services
The Career Services area
focuses on providing fundamental training in employment skills. Participants explore their career
interests and develop career tracking plans that they will follow to gain the
viable employment that eventually leads to self-sufficiency. Participants receive pre- and
post-employment job coaching to provide on-going support for up to one year
after employment is gained.
BRIDGES Career Readiness
Training Program offers tools to assist participants to become “Work Ready”
through a curriculum which includes but is not limited to the following
offerings: Basic Computer Skills, Keyboarding, Internet Browsing,
E-mail/Calendars, Online Applications, Resume Writing, Interview
Skills/Techniques, Key Train®, Customer Service Training, Soft Skills and
Experiential Learning.
BRIDGES Program completers are screened, job coached and
referred for interviews.
For more information, e-mail careerservices@bridgesusa.org
or call 901 260-3700.
Career Skills Training
As an authorized
post-secondary institution of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission,
BRIDGES currently offers skill-specific training programs open to the general
public: Certified Nursing
Assistant, Office Professional and Microsoft Certifications. (Desktop
Support Technician). There is
a tuition fee associated with all programs.
For more information refer to the dropdown menu.
For more information, e-mail careerskills@bridgesusa.org or
call 901 260-3700.
Job Development
BRIDGES is privileged to
have dedicated community partners that provide job opportunities to those who
successfully complete the Workforce Development program. As part of the effort to bring job
opportunities to participants, BRIDGES Workforce Development hosts career fairs
throughout the year. A number of
our partners, such as St. Jude, Mimeo.com, Williams-Sonoma and FedEx are
engaged with us on a regular basis.
Employers participating in this program can potentially earn the Work
Opportunity Tax Credit for hiring program completers.
For more information, e-mail jobdevelopment@bridgesusa.org or
call 901 260-3700.