Byte Back
Byte Back is a Washington, DC nonprofit organization that trains low-income adults with no computer experience in learning the basic fundamental skills of how to turn on a computer, use a mouse and use Microsoft Office applications. Byte Back then works step by step with students to build upon those skills, preparing students to earn industry-recognized IT credentials. Byte Back has expanded to Baltimore, and with support from the Abell Foundation, plans to serve at least 100 Baltimore residents over the next year, placing 36 program graduates into jobs requiring IT skills. Byte Back plans to offer classes at Strong City Baltimore’s Adult Learning Center, the Center for Urban Families and Open Works. Byte Back also plans to offer onsite industry-recognized certification and apprenticeship training to 20 students at Green Street Academy.
BioTechnical Institute of Maryland, Inc.
Over the past year, 49 individuals enrolled into BioSTART, with 43 students (or 88%) completing the six-week program. All 43 students enrolled in the nine-week Lab Associates program. Of these students, 14 completed training, and 20 are completing their internships. BTI estimates that 70% of the graduates will be placed into research laboratory and manufacturing technician positions at an average wage of at least $14.75/hour. In the coming year, BTI plans to train 45 Baltimore residents, maintaining high job placement and retention rates of all graduates.
South Baltimore Learning Center
South Baltimore Learning Center (SBLC) has provided adult education services for nearly three decades, serving over 700 adult students each year. Two years ago, with funding from the Abell Foundation, SBLC established an office and classroom at the Regional Skills Training Center in Park Heights. Working with sector skills training programs, SBLC provided 60 students with remedial instruction in math and reading. On average, students gained 2.5 levels in reading and 4.0 levels in math. These gains were achieved over an average of 30 hours of instruction. With continued funding from Abell, SBLC will serve 115 students, with the goal of 76 students gaining 3.0 levels in reading and 4.0 levels in math.
Job Opportunities Task Force
In January 2006, in partnership with the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC), Job Opportunities Task Force (JOTF) launched Project JumpStart, a pre-apprenticeship construction program designed to provide low-income Baltimore City residents with 13 weeks of pre-apprenticeship training. Since its inception, Project Jumpstart has served over 1,000 Baltimore residents, almost all of whom are African-American men (96%) with a criminal record (75%). With funding from the Abell Foundation, Project Jumpstart plans to serve 145 new students and maintain its 75% job placement rate.
Civic Works, Inc.
The Center for Sustainable Careers (CSC) has built a multi-tiered green career “pathway out of poverty” by training and placing Baltimore City residents in the brownfields remediation and residential energy-efficiency industries. Across its programs, CSC has maintained an average job placement rate of 93%. Since 2014, 81% of graduates have remained employed for at least one year. Among the 125 participants served in the past year, most had a significant history of arrest and conviction and most were formerly incarcerated. Over the next year, with funding from the Abell Foundation, CSC will train 135 Baltimore City residents for entry-level positions as well as 24 incumbent workers.