Current Gateway Programs Note: The linked pages for Gateway programs are currently being reformatted. Some links may be dead. Please use the contact information below if you need information or assistance immediately. We apologize for the inconvenience.
CONSTRUCTION TECH
Construction	Electrical	HV / AC	Plumbing
HEALTHCARE
Certified Nurse Aide		Certified Medication Aide
OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
Office Admin		Bookkeeping
THE PLAYHOUSE PROJECT

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Gateway works because the focus of the Program is not to train students; it’s to employ them.

Gateway consistently yields strong results:

• Students complete the program at a high average rate of 88%
• 80% of those who complete the program find employment within 30 days
• 30% of Gateway graduates reoffend compared to 70% of non-Gateway graduates Students at risk of dropping out of high school who complete Gateway return to complete their education at the significant rate of 71%

At the conclusion of each Gateway program, Skillpoint hosts a graduation ceremony for students and their families, friends, and supporters.  For many Gateway graduates, this is the first time they have worn a cap and gown and had the opportunity to celebrate an important achievement.  At a recent Gateway Construction graduation, one participant said, “Gateway Construction has given me the chance to re-invent myself.  This program… has given me back my self-esteem, my self-confidence, and something far more important than anything [else] and that’s hope.”

In 2004, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Jobs for the Future recognized Gateway Construction as one of the Four Best Career Advancement Strategies in the nation.  Gateway also was featured in April 2010 on CNN’s Building Up America series as a model workforce development program.  (Watch Gateway Videos)

Gateway students are seeking an opportunity to make positive changes in their life, learn skills to overcome their barriers to finding gainful employment and become self-sufficient. Students come to Gateway because they are unemployed, can’t find work, have been out of work for years or have never worked at all. Our students are often low income, homeless, former offenders or in transition. Completing a Gateway Program gives them a renewed sense of self-worth and accomplishment, in addition to teaching professional and specific job skills.

Although historically the average Gateway student was 18- 25 years old, male, minority, poor, and a former offender, the face of the Gateway student has changed significantly in the last couple of years. This is due to the changing economy, the addition to new courses and to the strength of the Gateway model. Gateway applicants now create a very diverse student base: 17 – 60 years old; high school drop outs through college degree holders; unemployed, underemployed, never worked and displaced workers; all racial and ethnic backgrounds, including many immigrants. The diversity of our students is an asset in the classroom, offering students the opportunity to get to know and learn from people of backgrounds they might not otherwise have had the opportunity.

Each Gateway Program includes intensive Professional Development curriculum, led by our Workforce Development team and the Program staff. Students do work on resume development, job search skills, interviewing techniques, non-verbal communication and how to strike up a conversation.

Students also benefit from the heavy involvement of industry employers in our programming. Employers are members of our Gateway Executive Council, speak to the students in class, offer opportunities for tours of their companies and job sites, attend or speak at Graduation ceremonies and often employ our graduates.

To obtain more information about Gateway Programs, please contact our office directly at (512)323-6773 ext. 123 or email us at gateway@skillpointalliance.org.

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