Bolinsky Commends ‘Platform to Employment’ Graduates

HARTFORD- State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) along with other lawmakers celebrated the graduation of some residents from a program that helps the long-term unemployed get back to work.

Platform to Employment (P2E) is a program that helps the long-term unemployed return to work and Connecticut employers address the need to find skilled workers. P2E is offered statewide in Connecticut with classes held in Bridgeport, Waterbury, New Haven, Hartford and the Norwich, New London areas.

Rep. Bolinsky said, “Platform to Employment is a wonderful example of partnership between the state and long-term, displaced workers.  By providing a rigorous program of skill development and job-re-training, the WorkForce people are helping productive, experienced workers back into Connecticut’s mainstream economy.  By focusing on a holistic approach that bolsters the job seeker, hones their skills and opens them up to accept the concept of “personal re-invention”, this program does more than just reemploy folks, it energizes them!”

This is a national program started by New Haven’s own Joe Carbone. Mr. Carbone was frustrated by the way unemployment is measured. After you use up your 26 weeks of unemployment benefits, you don’t count in the unemployment statistics, so there was no one helping the long-term unemployed.

Although the room at the State Capitol was full of graduates who received recognition, 38 people who were to be honored could not attend but for a very good reason, they had just found new employment.

The Platform to Employment was developed to address the need for the long-term unemployed to return to work and the employer need to recruit skilled workers. The program provides individuals with a five-week preparatory program, including skills assessment, career readiness workshops, employee assistance programs, coaching and more.

You can learn more about the Platform to Employment at their website: platformtoemployment.com