Platform to Employment opens applications for long-term unemployed in Reno

Platform to Employment (P2E), a nationally recognized program addressing the specific needs of long-term unemployed workers has opened its on-line application for residents of the Reno area, announced Nevada’s Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR).

The program is accepting applications from individuals who have been unemployed 27 or more weeks or have exhausted their unemployment benefits. Those who meet the criteria are encouraged to apply immediately as seating is limited. The course is free and is scheduled to begin in November.

Those interested in the program can apply at the Platform to Employment website, www.platformtoemployment.com and click on the Platform to Employment Nevada Application button on the right side of the homepage.

Nevada was among 32 states to be awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to assist Nevada’s long-term unemployed jobseekers in re-entering the workforce. The grant totaling $1,830,497 was awarded through the Job-Driven National Emergency Grant program.

“This program has been highly successful in assisting participants in returning to work,” said Renee Olson, administrator for DETR’s Employment Security Division in a press release. “While the job market has made a vast improvement, there are still many Nevadans who have been unemployed long term, making it even more difficult for them to find work. This program addresses a variety of issues that makes it challenging for the long term unemployed to get jobs.”

DETR is partnering with The WorkPlace, southwestern Connecticut’s regional Workforce Development Board for the program, Olson said. P2E offers individuals a five-week preparatory program, including skills assessment, career readiness workshops, employee assistance programs, coaching and more. Upon program completion, P2E assists participants in finding open positions at local companies.

Placements are made on a trial basis, and are paid for by the program. The expectation is that if the company is satisfied with the performance of the candidate, a full-time job will ensue. Platform to Employment subsidizes the wages of the job candidate for up to eight weeks, providing employers a risk-free opportunity to evaluate the candidate and determine if a good match exists.