11 November - Workforce Enterprises (WE-NYC) is a New York-based social enterprise. Its purpose is to train and place New Yorkers with barriers to employment for sustainable careers in the printing and document management industries at above minimum wage starting salaries.

WE-NYC submitted their prospectus to Xplor International for inspection and approval of its Document Management study program, as the first step towards CEU Accreditation. The program’s extensive coverage of printing industry subjects will be further inspected as the accreditation process proceeds.

WE-NYC is one of the only job training programs in New York to combine skills training and placement within a social purpose business setting. With the support of their nonprofit partners, WE-NYC graduates are prepared for jobs in document management, print technology and graphic communication industries through a three-month program of technical training, remedial education, counseling, internships, job placement services, and one year of post-employment case management services.

WE-NYC’s 26 session course covers business basics such as Professional E-Mail and Basic Computer Training (22 hours), then introducing Document Production subjects such as Reprographics, Paper Substrates, Binding, Print Technology(9+), Workflow (4+), Color, and ending with Document Management subjects such as Ethics/Legality (5+), Customer Service (9), Supplies and Inventory, Shipping and Receiving, and Job Quotes and Purchase Orders. Much more detail completes the over 200 hour 3 month training schedule.

At this time, the program is closed to the general public, in that participants are referred from nonprofit agencies. Currently, WE-NYC recruits students through nonprofits who serve individuals that have barriers to employment, but will pass screening for reading and math skills, stable living environment and have some financial support. Those meeting the criteria are then given an assessment interview and test to determine their aptitude for successful completion of the program.

Additional expansion of the program will include “Train-the-Trainer”, where teachers would be prepared to instruct NYC students. WE-NYC would continue to administer the program using union teachers.

Once the program’s foundation has been built, advanced training to industry employers will be offered. Well before this point, Workforce Enterprises will have completed their CEU application.