Towards Employment

We envision a dynamic world of work where all people - regardless of race, criminal history or where they live - have an opportunity to thrive. Achieving this vision takes more than connecting people to jobs. Our mission is to champion the potential of every person to succeed in a rewarding career, while working to create an equitable workforce.

Towards Employment was founded in 1976 and has always been in Cleveland. Since 1976 over 210,000 Clevelanders have increased their economic mobility using our career pathway approach. Today, we have 48 years of experience helping people find family-sustaining jobs, navigate life’s obstacles, and secure long-term careers – truly a chance to advance.

Towards Employment’s services are delivered using the WorkAdvance career pathway model which gives participants a chance to advance with proven higher wages, stronger resilience through addressing the social determinants of work (legal barriers, transportation, housing), and extended career coaching. The 5 Steps along this career pathways model are not necessarily sequential and cover up to 2 years.  Focus is on placing and sustaining people in good-paying jobs w/ holistic wrap-around services to address "social determinants of work" such as housing insecurity, transportation and legal issues, and to build life skills like financial management.

1. Assessment: Identify skills/abilities/interests/barriers; includes focus on digital literacy and access to laptops and internet.

2. Career Readiness Training: Workshops focus on career planning, soft skills, resume/interview preparation, digital skills, financial literacy.

3. Develop/Refine Skills: paid internship or technical training.

4. Placement & Coaching: Coaches help plan career path: review skills, job history, goals, and barriers. Staffing specialists connect participants with employers.

5. Retention & Advancement: Within days of a new job start, coaches continue post-employment coaching to help graduates advance.

Other evidence-based services:

·       Extensive wrap-around support services. Case managers coordinate access to a broad range of support services through the project period, including 12 months follow-up. 

·       Financial Coaching: TE provides a Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Financial Opportunity Center® (FOC). Services help TE participants and alumni to increase their incomes, improve credit, and build long-term wealth for their family.

·       Career coaching and post placement support. Key WorkAdvance finding was job placement support and post-placement career coaching is important in supporting job retention, post-secondary enrollment, and advancement into higher paying jobs. Participants were more likely to be working a regular shift, full-time, or in a permanent job, and more likely to report that their job offered opportunities for career advancement.