Literacy for a Pre-Apprenticeship Program

The Project Build Program at JobTrain focuses on the literacy needs of its students through counseling, observations, assessments, skill building and student hands on activities. The counselor engages the student through a comprehensive case management student assessment and plan. This is completed through a one on one interview process. The student shares information including living situation, education, employment, criminal background and language. The counselor also addresses any issues relating to employment barriers. This is the first step to understanding the student and providing the support for any literacy issues. The counselor is very adept at observing the students communication skills which can also be an indicator of literacy concerns.

All students also take the Wunderlic assessment which determines the grade level of math and English skills. The Wunderlic has short essays followed by questions which help to determine reading comprehension. A TABE assessment is also available for students with lower level reading skills. The appropriate test is determined at the initial intake counseling appointment.

Students that need extra assistance are provided with tutoring in the afternoon with our GED instructor. The instructor integrates construction vocabulary within the curriculum.

At the beginning of each lesson within the Project Build Program students take an assessment to determine what they know. The lesson is followed up with power point slides as part of the lecture. The lecture is followed up with hands on activities to reinforce what is learned. Students learning is reinforced through written, visual, verbal and kinesthetic strategies.