Empowering Futures Through Workforce Development: Covenant House Florida's IT Career Pathways Program

As the school year wraps up for traditional students, many young people are celebrating their academic achievements. However, across the Covenant House federation, our youth are not just completing school—they are overcoming adversity to engage in job training and workforce development programs, such as the IT Career Pathways Program.

Comprehensive Workforce Development

At Covenant House Florida, we are dedicated to equipping young people with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in the workforce. Our workforce development curriculum offers interactive courses in interviewing, resume building, career planning, networking, and communication.

Volunteer Support

These programs are enriched by the dedication of volunteers who generously share their knowledge and experience, helping to prepare our youth for the challenges of the job market. They conduct mock interviews, provide feedback on resumes, and offer career advice. Learn how you or your organization can volunteer with Covenant House.

IT Career Pathways Program

One of the standout programs within our workforce development initiative is the IT Career Pathways Program. It offers training and certifications in various IT fields, including

• Cisco IT Career Pathway.
• Cisco Cybersecurity.
• Digital Marketing.

Program Achievements

We’ve seen significant success within the program, including one young person completing the prestigious Cisco IT Career Pathway certification.

• Enrollment: From January to June, approximately 45 young people have enrolled in our program, demonstrating a strong interest and commitment to advancing their careers.
• Employment: Last year alone, CHFL saw 163 youth gain employment through the program’s support.
• Job Readiness: Last year, 192 young people engaged in on-site job readiness activities.

These impressive numbers reflect the effectiveness of our curriculum and the positive impact it has on the lives of the young people we serve.

IT Career Pathway Pilot Program

Over the past year, CHFL has also participated in the IT Career Pathway Pilot program, a Covenant House partnership that has provided essential funding and support to young people pursuing IT certifications across our federation. This program has already led to notable achievements:

• Certifications completed: Eleven young people have completed their Cisco Cybersecurity certifications (2 from Covenant House Florida; 9 from Covenant House Georgia)
• Certifications in progress: Three more are currently working toward their certifications.
• Support provided: So far, 12 Covenant House site affiliates have supported six youth each in their pursuit of IT certifications.

How the Program Works

To support our youth in prioritizing their studies, we provide laptops and financial aid in the form of stipends. This support ensures that they have the necessary resources to dedicate the time and effort required to complete their certifications. Additionally, site workforce development leads and Covenant House International’s Regina Jennings, associate vice president of programs, who oversees the IT Career Pathways Pilot program across the federation, meet regularly . They collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data relative to program participation in real-time, ensuring the program remains responsive to the needs and feedback of our youth.

Impact and Inspiration

The IT Career Pathways Program has had a transformative impact on the lives of many young people at Covenant House.

Regina says one of the most rewarding aspects of this program has been her direct interactions with the youth. Their enthusiasm and commitment to their futures are truly inspiring.

One youth shared their perspective on the program, saying, "I want to talk to others about enrolling. It made me think that we have so many people in this world, but I am a part of it, too! And I would tell the Covenant House youth that your current situation is not your destination!"

This sentiment captures the essence of what Covenant House Florida strives to achieve: empowering young people to recognize their potential and pursue their dreams. Through our Workforce Development programs, we are not only providing skills and certifications but also instilling hope and confidence in the future.

At Covenant House Florida, we believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed, and our Workforce Development and IT Career Pathways programs are crucial steps towards making that belief a reality. We look forward to continuing to support and celebrate the achievements of our youth as they build brighter futures for themselves.