Connecting people to careers

PROUDLY SERVING NORTHEAST OHIO SINCE 1976

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ACCESS to Manufacturing

New report released!

Please click through for our newest report, entitled Advancing Northeast Ohio: What WorkAdvance Taught Us About Building On Ramps to Opportunity. This report, made possible by support from the Fund for Our Economic Future and Deaconess Foundation, explores in-depth the history and impact of WorkAdvance in our region, as well as makes several recommendations for going forward.

Explore Report

A national leader in workforce development

We are a proven leader in workforce development that connects people to careers, which changes people’s lives, advances businesses, and strengthens community in Northeast Ohio.
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Job Seekers

We actively address the need local business has for a qualified, trained and motivated workforce.

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Employers

We partner with businesses confident our proven training programs and personal coaching prepares new and current employees for career success.

For Employers
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Community

Our enterprises reflect 40 years of experience in successfully helping people gain the tools they need to find a job, navigate life's obstacles, and secure a path towards a long-term career.

Enterprises

We helped 300 people find good jobs last year. 180 had criminal backgrounds.

With a staff of 55, over 100 volunteers, 22 board members, and a budget of $6.1 million, TE serves approximately 2,000 individuals every year.

Featured Content

Pictured are Richard Jackson, Mary Lamar, and Casey Wright, all graduates of ACCESS to Manufacturing Careers who are now valued employees at Talan Products on Cleveland’s east side0

Reentry programs provide a vital job link between manufacturers and former inmates

November 27, 2023

Published November 27, 2023 05:50 AM Article by Dan Shingler Read the full article at Crain’s Cleveland The same pandemic that sent millions of Americans to work from home also created an opportunity for many others to go to work for the first time, as many new job openings went unfilled. Those who have been…

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About Senate Bill 37

November 10, 2023

Senate Bill 37 removes the ability to suspend a person’s license for non-driving related issues, such as unpaid parking tickets, therefore removing the barrier to employment for millions of hard-working Ohioans and businesses that employ them. Ohio sees roughly 3 million license suspensions per year with over 60% of these being for debt-related reasons, such…

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Clevelanders tell their criminal justice system stories, live with jazz artist Dominick Farinacci

June 29, 2023

By Mandy Kraynak Published June 28, 2023 Read the full article at The Land Gregory Reaves performing for Modern Warrior on June 17. (Photo courtesy of Towards Employment) Gregory Reaves says he gets a bit nervous before performing, whether he’s DJing a backyard party or doing open mic poetry. But he didn’t feel his usual…

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Over 300 Employers Hired TE Graduates

Our employer partners represent a diverse business landscape: small shops, large health care systems, local manufacturers and innovative entrepreneurial businesses.

Towards Employment Impact

“Towards Employment gives you doors to walk through but you have to take the first step.”

Leonard went to prison for a year at the age of 19 and then spent the next 10 years working odd jobs until another conviction at age 31 led to a six-year sentence gave him the determination to turn his life around. After his release, he struggled to find a decent job. He eventually enrolled in TE’s program for individuals with criminal records.

“Towards Employment is no-nonsense preparation for the workplace.”

Kathy needed a fresh start after being her mother’s full-time caretaker until her death from cancer but she faced the challenge of finding a job at age 57 – ten years out of the workplace with no experience with online job searches and applications.

“Even with a criminal record, I began to believe that I had a shot, that I could land a career position, not just any job.”

The routes may vary, but the end result is the same: moving from poverty to a paycheck and from a paycheck to a career. After graduating from TE’s job readiness program for people with a criminal record, Daniel found a career.

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