JOB SKILLS TRAINING THROUGH APPRENTICESHIPS Our apprenticeship program was born out of a period in 2018 where our state was facing a record low unemployment rate at 2.5%. It was a challenging time for employers, but despite this, we knew there were candidates in our region who were eager for gainful employment opportunities, but who were facing significant barriers to hiring and employment. After sitting down with our local non-profit partner, Willis Dady Homeless Services, we found that some of these barriers were challenges we could help with. They shared that many of their clients who were experiencing homelessness were eager to work and get back on their feet financially but lacked access to certain details they needed for a job application or an interview — including a government issued ID, a residential address, work clothes or shoes, transportation, or access to showers or laundry facilities. Most also lacked recent work history and references. Our apprenticeship program was born out of this community need and our partnership with Willis Dady Homeless Services. Today, their team identifies clients they feel would be good candidates and provides the personal and housing support they need, meanwhile Frontier Co-op provides employment opportunities for these individuals. Our team trains these apprentices to work in a food-safe manufacturing facility, then at the end of their apprenticeship they are eligible to become full employees, or they can take their experience here to their next endeavor. Apprentices who choose to move on after their time here leave with work experience and references for their resume, and have proven to themselves and their future employers that they’re strong employees who are interested in and capable of growth very quickly. Meanwhile, they’ve been making a regular paycheck, have access daily to our subsidized organic café, and have had individualized case management with our partners at Willis Dady. Apprentices who choose to stay are built-in team members who have already been trained on their job responsibilities, understand our company’s standards and expectations, and appreciate and want to be a part of our unique company culture.
To date, 388 individuals have benefitted from this apprenticeship program, and 20% of Frontier Co-op’s production hires have been through this program since 2018. 20% OF PRODUCTION HIRES 388 INDIVIDUALS BENEFITTED
At Willis Dady Homeless Services, we provide services every day to people who are ready, willing, and able to work, but who are currently unemployed. These individuals struggle each day to provide themselves with basic human rights like food security and safe housing. Frontier Co-op’s apprenticeship program provides an employment opportunity for people facing a variety of barriers ranging from a criminal-justice involved background to safe and reliable transportation, elim- inating some of the most significant barriers we see to stable employment. The steady income from the employment program at Frontier Co-op keeps these indi- viduals housed, ensures they’re able to provide for their basic needs, and creates a stability that’s vital to escaping the cycle of homelessness.
— Kelsey Culver, Employment Services Director at Willis Dady Homeless Services
2022 Social Responsiblilty Report | 50
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator