Overcoming Reentry Barriers to Get on the Road Again

The One-Stop system is designed to offer individualized career services that meet the needs of job seekers from diverse backgrounds.  This often means working with individuals to overcome occupational skill barriers, sometimes barriers in their personal life, and many times both.

The One-Stop Career Training Center first met with jobseeker AB after being referred to the team by Kim Butler, the Greater Raritan One Stop Career Center ex-offender representative.  The individual had previously worked as a laborer, and while the work history was good, identifiable skills were lacking. After recently being released from jail, the lack of industry recognized skills on AB’s resume coupled with their background were difficult to overcome.  After meeting with a One-Stop Training Center Career Navigator several times to reflect on short- and long-range goals, it was determined that obtaining a CDL A license would help this individual not only obtain a license in an in-demand field, but it would build on their previous work experience as well as offer a long-range career path that was also discussed during this planning phase.

Prepared with a goal, lists of action steps, connections to resources to help overcome personal and occupational barriers, and the Training Center staff case managing the process, it didn’t take long for AB to complete CDL training, obtain a CDL A license, and obtain a full-time job with benefits.  AB is now prepared with an in-demand license that can be used in other position, knows how to overcome their criminal background when looking for future employment opportunities, and has knowledge of the many local, state and national resources available to support them along with career path.