We are recruiting now for our latest Employment for Young Adults with Disabilities program, sponsored by the Commonwealth Corporation.
Next class begins March 16
Are you or do you know someone interested in becoming a grocery associate?
The Polus Center is offering two 8-week training programs that prepare young adults to work in a grocery or retail setting. Classes are offered 3 days per week on Zoom from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the first 4 weeks, taught by our partner, Thryv Consulting. During the second 4 weeks, participants complete 10-hours per week of paid internship at either Whole Foods or Price Chopper, with a coach (Polus can supply). Interns are paid $14.25 per hour.
On-line Course Content
This training teaches the essentials of various grocery store positions. Topics covered include:
- Understanding Grocery Departments
- Cashiering fundamentals
- Safe Food Handling
- Cleaning & Maintenance
- Stocking & Facing Shelves
- Ergonomic Lifting and workplace Codes of Conduct
- Soft Skills and Superior Customer Service
- Professionalism and Etiquette
- Current Health/Safety Standards and awareness related to Covid-19
After the Training
This training prepares participants to interview for a job at the store where they interned. Work hours are flexible - anywhere from 10-40 hours per week (if hours are available). Starting wages range from $14.25 to $15 per hour.
Qualifications
Candidates must be a MA resident aged 18-35; have a disability; have had their Covid vaccinations; be unemployed or underemployed; and not currently be enrolled in High School.
Cost
This training is grant funded and is FREE to participants who are interested in working competitively at a grocery store upon completion. Space is limited and there are employment expectations – this is a train to work program, not just a general training.
Contact Information
Offered by The Polus Center for Social & Economic Development, Inc., www.poluscenter.org. To learn more or to set up a virtual interview for a seat in this exciting program, please send a resume if available, or send an email with the participant’s contact info (email, phone, address -- and info about the support agency’s personnel if applicable), to Karen Gostenhofer, kgostenhof [at] verizon.net. Each class is limited to 10-12 participants, so please contact Karen today to set up an interview!
