Employment and Vocational Services
Employment Services
The Federal Government has very strict guidelines for the employment of refugees. LSS participates in a federal matching grant program that discourages reliance on public assistance and encourages early employment for refugees. There is the expectation that all new arrivals participating in this program will have employment as soon as possible.
In NH and MA the job developer assists each employable refugee by providing an orientation to employment in the US, identifying potential jobs, accompanying them to job interviews and arranging transportation for interviews or job training. In addition, in MA this service is available for both refugees and immigrants.
It is the goal of the job developer to place refugees and immigrants in jobs, when possible above minimum wage and with benefits. Click for list of current employers in New Hampshire.
Vocational Services
LSS programs in MA receive funding from the MA Office of Refugee and Immigrants to offer a variety of vocational training opportunities:
1. Comprehensive Refugee Employment Services (CRES) assists refugees with the fast track employment options, and offers Employability, Computer Proficiency, ESOL and Adult Literacy training classes.
2. Targeted Assistance Grant (TAG) offers skill specific training for careers as a:
• home health aide
• carpenter
• plumber
• translator
• truck driving
3. Achieving Self Sufficiency In Short Time (ASSIST) offers skill specific employment training to single-parent, disabled, and older refugees and offers trainings for careers:
• Direct care professional
• Driving
• Food preparation and handling
• Hospitality
4. Job Search/Job Readiness program(JS/JR), funded by the MA Department of Transitional Assistance offers fast-track employment services to non-English speaking persons (immigrant/ refugee/ others) receiving public assistance.
5. The Immigrant and Refugee Agriculture Initiative (IMMAG) offers vocational services that train for employment with nurseries, farms and landscapers. They also offer beginning farmers assistance for refugees that want to start their own farms. For more information please visit the IMMAG website.
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