Following a very successful inaugural run, the Chester County Commissioners and the Chester County Workforce Development Board have opened registration for anyone interested in participating in the second Platform to Employment program.  

The P2E program was started in July last year, with the goal of providing an educational and practical service for people who have experienced long-term unemployment in Chester County. It includes job readiness training, personal support and finance counseling, followed by paid work experience.   

A part of the program also offers financial stability counseling and mental health counseling through the Family Service of Chester County and Open Hearth with the help of Joseph’s People and the Chester County Economic Development Council.  

The P2E five-week preparatory program was created by Connecticut-based “The Work Place” to help people who have been unemployed for 27 weeks or more return to work, and for employers looking to recruit skilled workers.  

“I am excited that Chester County continues to be a leader in helping the long-term unemployed return to work,” said Joe Carbone, “The Work Place” President and CEO. “The addition of another cohort expands hope and opportunity for workers in this region.”

He also noted that the inaugural program is on track to place close to 80 percent of its participants and emphasized that “the partnerships we have established in the region, especially with the Chester County Workforce Development Board, are a model of effective collaboration.”

Residents of Chester County who have been without employment for 27 weeks or more are encouraged to complete the online application for entry into the next P2E program. The form, together with all the details of the program can be found here. The number of available spots is limited to 25 people, subject to a selection process.  

Registration will remain open until April 29th, with the program set to begin on May 9th.

Check out previous VISTA Today coverage of the program here.