WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Skill Up to Start Your Career
Take the next step in advancing your career
Get started with enrollment to learn in-demand skills for elevating your income. Click below to apply now!
Click the course guide to view upcoming classes and more information about enrollment, eligibility, and program details.
Elevate your ability to earn with in-demand career skills
Launch your career!
Short term, in-demand career training at no cost to the student
Network & grow
Enjoy 1:1 support, employer connections, work gear, and small group sessions for personal growth
Earn credentials
All classes include a college certificate and/or industry-recognized credential
Access support
Access LRC services like meals at class time, the hygiene, clothing, and housing stability closets, and more!
Career Training Opportunities
Practice foundational skills in automotive technology to get started in the field as an entry-level service technician.
Practice foundational skills in automotive technology to get started in the field as an entry-level service technician.
Learning Outcomes
- Basic knowledge of engine operation
- Use of diagnostic tools and troubleshooting
logic - Introductory understanding of vehicle systems:
powertrain, electrical components, etc. - Safely operate multiple types of lifts
- Change, balance, and align tires
Employment Outcomes
Entry-level service technician for:
- Oil change center
- Mechanic shop
- Dealership service center
- Tire center
Graduates may also qualify for related positions in:
- Skilled manufacturing
- Auto parts customer service
- Semi-truck servicing shops
Career Paths
- Work with employer who pays for further training and certification to become a master mechanic and/or specialize as a deisel mechanic.
- Combine knowledge with other skills like welding or painting to do specialized work such as auto body repair or stylized vehicle customization.
Advance your knowledge of the building trades and earn an apprenticeship, join a maintenance team, or skilled construction crew.
Advance your knowledge of the building trades and earn an apprenticeship, join a maintenance team, or skilled construction crew.
Learning Outcomes
- Measure, cut, and drill with accuracy at on-the-
job pace - Safety principles and proper use of hand and
power tools - Introduction to framing, plumbing, electrical
and blueprint knowledge - Train and test for forklift license
Employment Outcomes
Entry-level service technician for:
- Skilled trades apprentice
- Facilities/maintenance technician
- HVAC apprentice
- Construction crew member
Graduates may also qualify for related positions in:
- Home remodeling
- Lead remediation
- Manufacturing
Career Paths
- Begin and finish a skilled tradesperson apprentiship, earning $30-38 per
hour as a journey person - Combine with further experience and education to work as a foreman,
supervisor or general contractor.
Refine your culinary skills and prepare yourself for work as a sous chef, caterer, or assistant restaurant manager.
Learning Outcomes
- Use of mis-en-place in restaurant
- Cut, chop, dice safely with high level of accuracy and speed
- Successfully follow advanced recipes
- Scale and budget menu ingredients
- Safely prepare and handle food, train and test for ServSafe Certification
Employment Outcomes
Entry level service technician for:
- Sous chef
- Line cook
- Pastry chef/baker
- Deli worker
Graduates may also qualify for related positions in:
- Assistant restaurant manager
- Catering coordinator
- Event Planner
Career Paths
- Work in the restaurant industry, advancing to head chef, management, or ownership
- Apply systems thinking skills learned from class in other industries
Earn a forklift license by learning safety standards and best practices with hands-on training to pass our operator’s
test.
Learning Outcomes
- Safety and operation principles
- Maneuverability and use of forks
- Loading and unloading
- Best practices based on industry
- Classes 1, 4, 5 OSHA compliant forklift license
Employment Outcomes
Entry level service technician for:
- Warehouse worker
- Forklift operator
This certification is a great career asset to pair with
skills in:
- Construction
- Welding
- Manufactoring
- CDL driving
Standalone Credential Class
- Earn your forklift license as soon as the same day!
- New drivers may return the next day for additional practice
- Most cohorts include an employer presentation
Earn while you learn! After completing the course, join the Second Helping food truck team to get paid and build your expertise while making a difference in the community.
Learning Outcomes
- Create and scale recipes based on budget
- Apply cooking fundamentals in food truck setting for efficiency, safety, and quality
- Register, market, and operate a business
- Basic book keeping and fundraising
- Includes Assets Toledo & ServSafe certification
Employment Outcomes
- Food truck owner/operator
- Catering entrepreneur/coordinator
- Event planner
- Restaurant manager
This certification is a great career asset to pair with skills in:
- Auto Detailing
- Landscaping
- Cleaning
Career Paths
- Start a food truck with potential run multiple food trucks or begin a restaurant
- Use skills as an employee in restaurant management
Learn introductory principles for the machining industry, millwright work, and factory maintenance.
Learning Outcomes
- Accurate use of precision measurement
instruments - Safely operate power saws, lathes, surface
and pedastal grinders - Working knowledge of power transmission
components - Apply critical thinking and problem solving to
machine basic molds, stamps, and dies as
class project
Employment Outcomes
Entry level service technician for:
- Tool and die apprentice
- Millwright apprentice
- Die setter
Graduates may also qualify for related positions in:
- Industrial maintenance mechanic
- CNC operator
Career Paths
- Complete apprenticeship to become a journeyperson tool and die maker or millwright
- Combine with skills in manufacturing, auto repair, or electrical knowledge to gain position as an industrial maintenance mechanic
Enhance your abilities with office technology and grow as a professional for customer service, clerical, and administrative assistant positions.
Learning Outcomes
- Become proficient is use of Microsoft Word,
Excel, PowerPoint - Develop personal brand strategy and enhance
networking skills, including on digital platforms
like LinkedIn - Learn advanced functions of email virtual
meetings on all common platforms - Increase typing speed by 30% or more
Employment Outcomes
Entry level service technician for:
- Customer service
- Administrative assistant
- Sales
Graduates may also qualify for related positions in:
- Medical billing
- Bookkeeping
Career Paths
- Pursue a niche in knowledge work for management position in the medical,
retail, IT, human services, or another industry. - Advance as an adminstrative professional to become an executive
assistance
Gain proficiency in basic welding techniques to work as a fabricator or take this versatile skill to a related career field.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply safety principles to welding operations
- Lay horizontal, vertical, and overhead welds
- Configure MIG welding machine settings
- Cut materials using an oxy-acetylene torch
- Grind excess materials for a clean,
professional finish
Employment Outcomes
- MIG Fabricator
- Pre-apprentice in the sheet metal or
ironworkers union
Graduates may also qualify for related positions in:
- Auto body repair
- Facilities/maintenance
- Millwright
Career Paths
- Continue education to earn a welding degree and Inspector certification
- Complete apprenticeship to become a journeyperson Ironworker, Sheet Metal
Worker, Millwright, or related profession - Further skills to work as an underwater welder
80%
of graduates employed within 30 days
$20/hr
average wage of WFD graduates
70%
of graduates still working after 3 years
$0
paid by students to access training
"I'm so thankful for this opportunity.""We couldn't have done it without you guys!"
-Travis & John, Building Trades graduates and Local 351 carpenters apprentices
QUESTIONS?
Call Us At 419.214.6776 or email WFD@cherrystreetmission.org.
Ask Us About Being Connecting With the Following:
- Exploring options for transportation to class and work
- Obtaining work gear like steel toe boots or interview clothes
- Resource referrals for health, housing, food, legal assistance, childcare, etc.
- Joining the Ready-for-Life program as a Cherry Street community guest
Thank You To Our Partners:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost?
All of our classes to date are free of any cost to the student. There are tuition and other expenses involved with the program which may require efforts from the student to qualify for grant funding. In rare cases, those who do not qualify may choose to self-pay or speak with their employer about tuition reimbursement.
How long are the classes?
Most classes are 8-12 weeks long and 2-3 days per week four about 4.5 hours.
Classes are scheduled around meal times at the Mac Street Cafe so students can eat before or after class.
Do you do job placement?
While we do not offer job placement, we do provide employment support and introduce students to hiring companies within their field of study.
Will I get certified?
Each class is accompanied by a certificate of completion from a Owens or Northwest State Community and/or an industry-recognized credential.
Is it hands-on learning?
Yes! Most of the time spent is class is spent actively engaging in the skill you are learning with guided instruction to learn by doing.
How do I graduate?
Attendance is the key determinant for graduation. Students must attend 85% or more of class time to earn their certificate of completion.
Do you offer other help?
WFD students are enrolled as community guests of Cherry Street with access to a wide range of supports. These include: access to the Mac Street Cafe for meal, the Career/Clothing Closets for work/casual wear, hygiene and household items based on donations, on-site Unison office--and more!
Does this class work as WEP for my benefits?
This may be specific to your individual case. However, previous graduates have submitted their class hours for use in WEP and similiar programs.
Will you write a letter showing I am in class?
Of course! We can easily provide documentation that you are attending the class.