Creating Your Future class participants listen to Maureen Hassett at Custom Composite, Inc. in Bath.
Participants in the recently completed Creating Your Future class in Bath were diverse, but all were seeking a new career direction due to the tough economic times. Their work together included more than traditional career planning activities. As part of the Coastal Counties Workforce Inc. Technology Occupations through Pathways Strategies (TOPS) grant, the class was able to focus on local growth industries in this sector.
Focus activities included labor market research in technology occupations and site visits to local employers in these industries. The site visits allowed class participants to hear directly from employers what skills they needed in employees. Participants came away with specifics, which allowed them to catalogue skills they had versus those they might want or need to acquire.
Everyone completed the class with a clear understanding of their next career steps and new knowledge of employers in their area. When asked how the class benefited them, participants said: “exposure to new career possibilities”, “on-site visits to see what employers are looking for”, and “I learned a lot about myself. I was able to make contacts that I would have never found out about.”