Career Hub Comes to Albany Ave

By COLlive reporter

Are you concerned that you might not have the skills and knowledge necessary to land a job and be competitive in today’s job market? If you are fortunate enough to live in Crown Heights, now there is a solution!

Designed to assist young members of the Crown Heights community, the Crown Heights CareerHub program has been created to offer an innovative menu of services to help improve the quality of life and financial well-being of the Crown Heights Jewish community and their families.

The program will be operating out of a newly renovated storefront site on Albany and S. Johns Place, two blocks north of Eastern Parkway.

Students will attend six weeks of classes to hone their skills in English, math and workplace skills, followed by an eight-week paid internship with a reputable company. After successful completion of the program, students will be assisted in being placed in entry-level, middle management positions in occupations with high growth potential.

The Crown Heights CareerHub was developed with the intensive input and guidance of an advisory committee of business, educational and social service leaders in the Crown Heights community, who will remain actively involved in its activities.

Under the auspices of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, it is being administered by the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island and was created through the concern, vision and generous support of UJA-Federation of New York and the Hidden Sparks Fund.

The program will be directed by Neil Schwerd and will benefit from the guidance of Virginia Cruickshank, who together bring a combined 30 years of workforce development experience to the Crown Heights CareerHub. Schwerd expressed his gratitude to Crown Heights Jewish Community Council executive director Rabbi Eli Cohen for his assistance in launching the new initiative.

“In today’s competitive job market, we want to give our students the necessary skills they will need to grow into positions that can support a family,” said Schwerd. The program staff will also stay in contact with graduates and provide advisory assistance even after they have begun their careers.

“It’s a win-win program for both the employers and for our participants. Employers can be assured that they are getting pre-screened, skilled and motivated employees to fill their open positions. We also invite input from employers regarding the desired qualifications they seek in filling their open positions,” observed Schwerd.

The program is open to applicants of all backgrounds and income levels between the ages of 21 and 28 who live in Crown Heights. Applicants must be motivated, willing to meet new challenges and serious about their long term career goals. Crown Heights CareerHub is currently accepting applications for the upcoming cohort of students whose classroom component will begin within the next few weeks to be followed by October internships with a hiatus for the High Holiday season.

To apply for the Crown Heights CareerHub and arrange an interview contact [email protected]. Employers: Please list your positions with us at [email protected]