Many of the developing programs to grow Mississippi’s workforce assume that someone has a diploma or GED and is ready for the responsibilities of higher education. But Caitlin Brooking, President and CEO of Refill Jackson, says some may need additional training on how to thrive in a workplace environment. During a phone discussion hosted by The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi, she shared how her program is bridging that gap.
“So we really work to try to get them in the right mindset, and kind of stable enough to be successful in a longer-term program,” says Brooking. “But we certainly have folks who have gone on from Refill and gotten a CDL license, one of them completed a program while she was at Refill.
The program helps residents between the ages of 18 to 25, offers them training twice a week, and places them in a workplace environment for first-hand experience. Additionally, advocates work with students to help meet any needs they may have, including partnerships to help obtain a GED. Brooking says one of the largest hurdles that students face is transportation to work.
“We have partnerships to help with childcare, we have partnerships and programs that help with education. Housing is very difficult as well. But transportation, that is really the X-factor,” says Brooking. “We are able to provide transportation for our members while they are in the program. Just getting around town is a challenge.”
Brooking says their organization is accepting applications and does not prevent people outside of Jackson from participating, but they are only able to provide transportation within the metro area.
