The Chester County Commissioners and the Chester County Workforce Development Board welcome the start of Platform to Employment, a new program designed to help the long-term unemployed re-enter the workforce.

The program provides job readiness training, personal support services, finance counseling and paid work experience to help the people who have been struggling to find a job that matches their skill set in Chester County.

Chairman Terence Farrell said of the program, “At just 4 percent, our unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the state, and it is safe to say that employers cannot find good fits for some open positions.

Many of our long-term unemployed people have the skills required for those positions, but they need career-related support services to strengthen those skills. Platform to Employment addresses that need.”

According to a Philly.com article, “those accepted into the program get a five-week package that not only polishes job search skills, but also addresses the erosion of self-confidence that often occurs. Psychological and financial counseling are included.”

The program has started accepting applications at platformtoemployment.com. Space is limited to 25 people, and the deadline for application is August 26. Training will begin in early September.

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