UpSkill

Workforce Experience Program

learn Skills for entry level jobs that lead to Tech Careers

NEXT COHORT COMING in 2022

Apply now to be considered for next cohort. Applicants will be contacted with program details.

WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE partner registration:

Opportunity for Suffolk County business owners to offer a four week workforce experience to youth. Support use of their new skills for entry level jobs that lead to tech careers, while building capacity for your business.

Participants must be between 18-24 years of age

(Scholarships are available to qualified participants)

We Connect The Dots mission is to deliver programs that engage students in positive brain friendly ways and address the skills gap in today’s workforce. Our design process integrates industry experts in the field, and our delivery team to develop programs that bring 21st century workforce skills and neuroscience research together. Each program is designed with a learning goal in mind that introduces participants to industry concepts, teaches the value of lifelong learning, supports a path that can lead to additional knowledge or experience, and above all engages to create an interest where there may have not existed before.

This collaborative approach allows us to see the learning experience from multiple perspectives and ensures we are teaching concepts that can be expanded into an interest to go deeper where there is a desire. We build foundational skills that can be leveraged in their future learning experiences and in their careers no matter what path they choose to take. Taking place this fall participants will take part in a 3 week immersive learning experience, followed by a 4 week workforce experience, where participants will have the opportunity to demonstrate their new skills working in an entry level technology administrative role for local businesses and nonprofits on Long Island. The program is about getting participants out of their comfort zones to learn 21st century workforce skills. This program takes a holistic approach, teaching both soft skills and technical skills to build capacity in solving complex problems, cross collaborating with team members, synthesize information, and learning about the many career opportunities on Long Island.

BE CAREER-READY in 8 WEEKS!

WORKFORCE TRAINING - 4 Weeks

• Introduction to Microsoft Office 365 administration, Salesforce and cybersecurity, no code drag and drop web site administration with WordPress, communication, LinkedIn Profiles with Linked In Learning, resume and interview preparation, salary negotiation, social media and digital marketing tools and platforms, and more - all which are transferrable skills to other industry platforms. Participants will also gain soft skills learning about psychological safety, critical thinking and problem solving.

WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE - 4 Weeks

• On-the-job workforce experience

• Learn skills for entry level jobs that lead to tech careers

meet our speakers

training Topics & PARTICIPANT LEARNING OutCOMES

DAY 1

Course Introduction – 1 hour

Mind Mapping - 1 hour

Learning Platform Introduction Office 365 Part I – 2 hours

Learning Activity - 1 hour

Guest Speaker Panel - 1 hour

Upon completion of this class participants will have completed a pre-assessment to evaluate their current knowledge and skills. Participants will know how to utilize the online learning platform and get to know their peers within the course. Participants will engage in learning about career paths and career journey from guest speakers.

DAY 2

Science Behind Learning (Psychological Safety Session) – 4 hours

Foundations in Using a Computer - 2 hours

Upon completion of this class participants will understand how science is helping us understand our emotions and how those emotions impact our ability to learn and communicate effectively.  They will be able to demonstrate a better understanding of a personal computer and how to utilize that device as a resource tool for employment in entry level technology careers. Participants will understand how to utilize Microsoft Windows 10 operating system. 

DAY 3

Science Behind Learning (Psychological Safety Session )– 4 hours

Domain Name Services – 2 hours

Upon completion of this class participants will understand strategies for managing emotions and how to communicate effectively in a team. Upon completion of this class participants will describe what it means to be a good digital citizen, what Domain Name Services (DNS) is and how it plays a role in the function of the Internet. 

DAY 4

Networking – 2 hours

Device Management – 1 hour

The Internet – 2 hours

Typing Activity- 1 hour

Upon completion of this class participants will be able to demonstrate and utilize tools to manage their computer and the role of a technology administrative staff might support an office using these new skills. Participants will also build endurance and competencies in keyboard typing skills. 

DAY 5

Digital Citizenship/Cybersecurity – 2 hours

Introduction to Office 365/Certification Part II – 2 hours

Financial Literacy – 1 hour

Guest Speaker – 1 hour

Upon completion of this class participants will understand and demonstrate new digital literacy skills that support strong digital citizenship for today’s modern workforce. Participants will gain fundamental knowledge of cybersecurity and demonstrate Microsoft Office 365 administrative skills and the role of a technology administrative staff might support an office using these new skills. Participants will prepare for certification exam. Participants will learn financial literacy and set up future financial success through managing a checking and savings accounts. 

DAY 6

The World of Application Development (Negotiating Skills)– 2 hours

Introduction to Microsoft SharePoint – 2 hours

Evaluating through Forms – 2 hours

Upon completion of this class participants will be able to engage in a business scenario for technology projects where negotiation and communication skills explore the world of application development. They will understand how to setup and administer an internal business port using Microsoft SharePoint. They will be able to create and integrate the use of Microsoft Forms in business. 

DAY 7

OneNote as a Research Tool – 2 hours

Introduction to Microsoft Planner – 2 hours

Activity - 1 hour

Guest Speaker –   1 hour

Upon completion of this class participants will be able to demonstrate and utilize research tools with Microsoft OneNote and Planner and the role of an technology administrative staff might support an office using these new skills. They will understand high-level project management and utilize Microsoft Planner to support ongoing business accountability and time management. 

DAY 8

Agile Development Activity – 2 hours

Introduction to Coding & Activity (Makecode & Microbits) – 2 hours

More Coding with Drones – 2 hours

Upon completion of this class participants will be able to explore the use of and understand what an Agile development cycle is. Participants will gain an introduction to coding concepts through a fun drag and drop no code coding experience. 

DAY 9

Introduction to Digital Marketing- 5 hours

Activity - 1 hour

Upon completion of this class participants will understand how to use foundational digital marketing content to optimize a brand's online presence and website, leveraging SEO, paid advertising, and social media to help your target audience find you. Plus, learn how to develop an email marketing plan, get started with video marketing, and create easy-to-understand marketing reports that help you assess your progress.

DAY 10

Stanford’s Design Thinking Process – 2 hours

Intro to Rube Goldberg – 1

Rube Goldberg Project/Activity - 3 hours

Upon completion of this class participants will understand how a design thinking process supports innovation in today's modern business environments.  Participants will learn about Rube Goldberg and work collaboratively to design a Rube Goldberg project, followed by the creation of a video project supporting their project. 

DAY 11

Introduction to Individual Project – 1 hour

Introduction to Website Development using WordPress Part I – 2 hours

Introduction to Website Development using WordPress Part II– 2 hours

Guest Speaker - 1 hour

Upon completion of this class participants will demonstrate their new skills by designing and creating a website utilizing WordPress platform. 

DAY 12

Individual Project Developing using WordPress Part I– 2 hours

Individual Project Developing using WordPress Part II – 2.5 hours

Presenting Project – 1.5 hours

Upon completion of this class participants will demonstrate their new skills by designing and creating a website utilizing WordPress platform.  

DAY 13

Presenting Project – 1.5 hours

Communication Modalities/Activity - 2 hours

Email Communications – 45 minutes

Introduction to LinkedIn/Certification - 45 minutes

LinkedIn Profile - 1 hour

Upon completion of this class participants will demonstrate their finished project and share lessons learned.  Participants will learn the multiple modalities of communications in today's modern workplace. Participants will build a portfolio site to share their workforce skills to support engagement with potential employers. 

DAY 14

Salesforce Introduction – 5 hours

Managing and Creating Accounts/Trailhead/Certifications

Activity - 1 hour

Upon completion of this class participants will be able to demonstrate what a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is and how to leverage tools working within a CRM system to build business value and track and update business engagements. 

DAY 15

U.N. Sustainable Development Goals – 1 hour

Introduction to Team Project - 1 hour

Team Brainstorming Activity (Kanban) - 1.5 hours

Mission Statement – 1 hour

Figma Introduction - 1 hour

Teams will be established, and they will begin to plan their conceptual ideas for delivery on their projects. Ample time is allocated to support the application of new skills in this project and learning to work collaboratively with others.

DAY 16

Project Time - 2 hours

Resume Writing Activity - 1 hour

Interviewing Workshop - 2 hours

Guest Speaker – 1 hour

Complete Career Leader Assessment

Upon completion of the class participants will demonstrate new skills learned throughout the program and how to shape a resume to gain employment in today's modern workforce. Participants will learn how to utilize modern interview scenarios and build confidence and competency in public speaking. Participants will complete a career assessment to understand where they might explore opportunities for employment. 

DAY 17

Project Time - 4 hours

Career Leader - 2 hours

Ample time is allocated to support the application of new skills in this project and learning to work collaboratively with others. Students will learn about their personal career leader assessment results to understand where they might explore opportunities for employment. 

DAY 18

Final Project Time - 2 hours

Final Project Time - 2 hours

Team Project (Presentations) Practice - 2 hours

Upon completion of this class participants will have their LinkedIn profiles ready for engaging in job seeking. Participants will complete a career assessment to understand where they might explore opportunities for employment. 

DAY 19

Team Project (Presentations) Practice - 2 hours

Team Project Presentations - 2 hours

Team Project Presentations- 2 hours

Industry Panel/Presentation Feedback

Upon completion of this class participants will be able to apply the knowledge gained to create a conceptual business and represent that business using a website and marketing video. 

DAY 20

Finalize Resume/LinkedIn Profile

Interview Preparation

Microsoft Certification Prep/Take Exam

Workforce Experience Expectations

Wrap up

Upon completion of this class participants will have demonstrated their new skills learned throughout the program by presenting as a team their projects and reflecting on the learning outcomes and how they will utilize these new skills to transform their lives through employment in a modern workforce. Participants will have the option available to become Microsoft 365 Fundamentals certified, an approved industry certification. Participants will be prepared to enter their 4-week workforce experience session. 

DAY 21-40 Workforce experience

Program participants are ready to demonstrate their new skills with on-the-job work experience that leads to tech careers, while building capacity to support a participating business. Projects assigned to participants will be technology-related and aligned to building additional capacity to support the business. For example, company web site administration, basic Microsoft 365 administration, digital marketing including email, social media, database, data entry, word processing and Internet research projects.

FAQ

Q: Are participants required to have prior experience or skills to participate in the program?

A: No prior experience is required for this program. Having a growth mindset and desire to learn are qualities we look for in selecting participants.

Q: When does the program begin?

A: The start date is currently set for November 15th, 2021. Program dates subject to change based on enrollment.

Q: How long is the program?

A: Eight weeks beginning November 15th, 2021 through January 14th, 2022 (with Nov. 25th-26th, December 24th & 31st off).

Q: Is this program a paid internship?

This program is not a paid internship, it is an opportunity to gain workforce experience to enable you to gain employment post the 8 week program.

Q: Do participants need any equipment to participate?

A: No equipment is required as we provide laptops to participants to use for the entire program.

Q: If I have a laptop, can I use my own?

A: If your laptop meets the program requirements, then yes participants may opt to use their own laptop.

Q: How many students will be selected?

A: Approximately 10 students will be selected to participate in the program.

Q: Where is the program taking place?

A: The program will take place at a location yet to be determined in Suffolk County.

Q: What does the daily schedule entail?

A: Participants will be required to arrive by 8:45am EST, the day will conclude at 4pm with an hour lunch break, for a total of six hours of learning.

WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE partner registration:

Opportunity for Suffolk County business owners to offer a four week workforce experience to youth. Support use of their new skills for entry level jobs that lead to tech careers, while building capacity for your business.

Thank you to all of our sponsors and community partners!