Gary R.-Came to the CSSC with G.E.D. and a felony charge. He hadn't worked since 2007. Gary heard about our program and was very interested. Although he had previous customer service experience he wanted to brush up on his skills. It was also an incentive for him to attend our class because of the job placement assistance component that our course offers. Gary was having a hard time getting hired because of his criminal record.
Well Gary did get hired at a high end retail store. He is presently making $20.00 pr hour plus commission. Gary was very thankful to our instructor. He made a speech at the graduation and credited the instructor for believing in him and making him believe in himself. He was thankful because the instructor advised him to aim high and never give up.
Dennis B.-Attended class in 2008. Dennis wanted to develop his customer service skills. His retail skills were nonexistent since he had never worked in the retail industry before. Dennis had not worked since 2007. Upon graduating Dennis was hired at a retail store part time. However Dennis was looking for more. Through our job placement personnel, he was referred to a yacht marina. He was hired and is now a yacht salesman. Dennis is learning the business from the bottom up.
He’ll be attending boat shows in Newport, R.I., Norwalk, Ct., and will eventually visit Paris.
Maritza G.
Employer: Non-retail Service Company
Position: Accounts Receivable Clerk
Starting wage: $12.00/hour in January 2005
Current wage: $14.00/hour in March 2005
RSC training program(s): NRFF Sales and Service Learning program
Background
Maritza worked for a major financial services firm for fifteen years, but was suddenly furloughed. She searched for another job continuously for over a year before enrolling in the Jersey City Customer Service Skills Center training program. She had lost her confidence because of her long-term unemployment and other issues.
Benefits from the RSC training
Maritza raves about her association with the program at the Jersey City Customer Service Skills Center and has referred others to the Center since she completed training. She indicates that the program has helped her find herself again and restored her lost confidence.
Outcomes
In the Center’s training program, Maritza became an excellent class contributor and role model for her peers. She was always prompt and willing to volunteer for extra duties and work in training. She was a mentor to other students, which helped to further restore her confidence. As a result, she was hired as a bookkeeper and promoted to Accounts Receivable Clerk within two months.
Marcy C .
Employer: Newspaper
Position: Graphic Designer
Starting wage: $8.00/hour
Current wage: $38,000/year
RSC training program(s): NRFF Sales and Service Learning program
Background
Marcy was a long time professional graphic artist who lost her job in New York City after September 11, 2001. She tried desperately to find work as a displaced worker in her field, but was unable to secure such employment. She tried obtaining retail/customer service jobs as a supplement to her freelance work and income, but was always told that she was “out of her field” or “overly qualified.” She came to the Jersey City Customer Service Skills Center as a freelance graphic designer for the Center’s partnering agency, Dress for Success, and was hired to do some basic design work including creating the Center logo and other branding. Marcy observed the Center’s staff, students, and program as a free-lancer and expressed interest in upgrading her skills to more effectively sell her design work, as well as obtain some basic, sustainable employment. Marcy enrolled in the NRFF Sales and Service Learning Program and contributed as much as she learned. She improved her confidence, presentation and marketability skills through the training program. Marcy learned a great deal about herself, how to sell herself, interviewing techniques and general presentation skills. She never missed a day of training and was always prompt as she challenged herself to change her life.
Benefits from the RSC training
While continuing as a freelance graphic designer, Marcy restored her confidence after obtaining employment with two national specialty store chains (food & beverage and home improvement). She now feels that she has gained the right mix of skills, knowledge and abilities to further sell herself and her design work, as well as work in a customer service capacity with a retail outlet.
Outcomes
Marcy received and an accepted an excellent offer with a large graphic design company associated with a Florida newspaper, which included a full benefits package, relocation benefits and company car. |
