GAIN is a program started by the Intstitute for Cultural Partnerships. The Institute for Cultural Partnerships is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help individuals and communities successfully live, learn, and work in our increasingly diverse society. The Institute focuses on helping people understand their own culture, understand others, develop positive inter-group relations, and build strong communities.
South Central Pennsylvania has seen a substanital growth in its refugee and other foreign born populations over the past ten years. Refugees are untapped resources in their communities. They bring with them education, training, and experience from their countries of origin. They are ager to work and driven to succeed. They find, however, that lack of experience in the American owrkplace and lack of credentiaols recognized by U.S. employers create obstacles to obtaining even entry levl positions in their field.
Employers have experienced the benefits of refugees as enthusiastic workers. They recognized that the skilld, experience, and motivation of newcomers are potentials assets to the growth of their organization. They believe in the vital importance of diversity in the workplace. Yet cultural, linguistic, and training barriers hinder them from making the most of this ready, able workforce.
GAIN works with specific and individual need of clients and employeers in creating a plan to overcome barrier. It draw upon five key employment strategies whichengage area employers and training facilities to match refugees with availeble job vacancies: 1) An innovative job coaching program using both staff and volunteer resources; 2) Customized on-the-job training designed by participating employers for refugee workers; 3) Technical school based, short-term training to prepare eligible refugees for available employment opportunities; 4) Customized skills credentialing services for occupations need in the region; 5) Customized on-the-job site VESL classes designed with employer cost sharinf the attendance incentive for reugees.
