Platform to Employment
Make Employment Happen
Platform to Employment creates a pathway to opportunity for job seekers.
Not all job seekers have the same needs or face the same barriers. Platform to Employment (P2E) is a nationally recognized solution, helping the long-term unemployed get back to work. For employers, P2E gives businesses a risk-free opportunity to evaluate and consider hiring participants during a trial work experience.
The foundation of P2E is a preparatory program for job seekers which includes skills assessments, career readiness workshops, employee assistance programs and more. Career coaches work with participants to leverage their professional experience and to develop effective job search strategies. Upon completion, P2E helps participants find open positions at local companies.
The trial work experience becomes an extended interview where there is no risk to the employer and participants are given an opportunity to demonstrate they can do the job. The expectation is that if the company is satisfied with the performance of the candidate, a full-time job will ensue.
Why Platform to Employment Is Needed
The long-term unemployed come from all walks of life, representing all age groups, educational attainment and communities. But, as a group they face very similar challenges to finding a job.
Additionally, after months of unemployment, individuals experience distinct stresses. Their savings have been spent to cover daily expenses. They may face foreclosure and loss of housing. Many feel disconnected from their careers, social networks and become depressed. It is not uncommon to lose confidence and experience strained relationships with family members.
Platform to Employment: Empowering Career Success
Platform to Employment (P2E) empowers individuals to reach their full potential and prepares them for meaningful career paths. Our program helps participants build confidence, develop critical skills, and take actionable steps toward professional success.
For employers, P2E provides a pipeline of highly trained, flexible workers who can think independently, collaborate effectively, and contribute immediately.
Through a proven curriculum—including self-assessment, change management, communication, and job search strategies—graduates leave ready to succeed, with the skills and motivation to thrive in today’s workforce.
P2E Programs
Platform to Employment Connecticut
Platform to Employment Re-Entry
Platform to Employment for Veterans
Platform To Employment Youth
Job Seekers
Today’s employers hire for Attitude, Flexibility and Enthusiasm. Platform to Employment (P2E) will help you improve your self-image and transform your job search skills. You will work with dedicated employment specialists while cultivating a committed support system. P2E will help you get back to work by taking a realistic and strategic approach to job search.
How the program works
P2E begins with a preparatory program designed to address the social, emotional and skill deficiencies caused by unemployment. A core element of this solution is a support system focusing on lasting performance improvements for participants. P2E incorporates a proven curriculum of self-assessment, managing change, effective communication and successful job search strategies. Multi-media tools reinforce instructor led programs and cohort learning. During the preparatory program, participants take action to fully realize their personal and professional potential. They develop new strategies for solving problems and create positive change in themselves.
Upon program completion, P2E helps participants find open positions at local companies, offering a paid work experience. The work experience becomes an extended interview where there is no risk to the employer and participants are given an opportunity to demonstrate they can do the job. The expectation is that if the company is satisfied with the performance of the candidate, a permanent job will ensue.
Individuals interested in Platform to Employment should apply for the program through this website. Qualified candidates will be invited for an interview with P2E staff.
Job Seeker Success Stories
P2E Youth Success Story
From struggling to find a job, to gaining the confidence tools to build a brighter future, our participants of the Platform to Employment Youth program share their journey to not only finding a job, but a career.
Elvis Hopkins
Elvis Hopkins, a proud graduate of the Platform to Employment Re-entry program, is now employed as a Ship Fitter at Bridgeport Boat Works. His journey of hard work is proof that with the right support, anyone can start fresh and build a brighter future.
Lanette Macaruso
Lanette Macaruso enrolled in Platform to Employments (P2E) for assistance getting back to work. She had prior experience working in tax preparation but needed help fine-tuning her skills, especially around interviewing, to compete in the job market. Lanette was aggressive in her job search with the assistance of her Career Counselor and before finishing the program she was able to secure new employment as a Tax Preparer.
“P2E not only reminded me of best practices to use in looking for work but they unearthed– like gold nuggets – brand new sets of procedures to get the job I wanted. The P2E team of presenters and facilitators have shown their dedication in helping me find confidence. They nurture relationships and believe in each candidate’s abilities. The one-on-one meetings are focused on helping us further perfect the deliverables needed for applying for jobs. The guidelines provided for writing resumes and cover letters and learning video interview skills were very practical and useful to not only me but my classmates. As time went on our interview skills became more polished and professional.
Beyond the knowledge I’ve gained, I have met many kinds and accomplished people that are now a part of my network. P2E’s lessons, along with the talented people sharing them, gave me a sturdy point of departure and a sense of camaraderie for the journey. I have returned to work as a tax preparer.” – Lanette M.
John McCready
After completing our Platform to Employment Re-Entry program, John has officially landed a new job. He shared how grateful he is for the support he received at The WorkPlace, and we couldn’t be prouder of his success. Here’s to new beginnings and a bright future ahead!
Anan Natarajan
As a senior executive, the opportunity to participate and learn from this innovative program was enlightening and highly informative. P2E enabled me to evaluate local opportunities more effectively within my “backyard” here in CT.
“I highly recommend the program and was impressed by the caring, resourceful, and passionate moderators and program leaders. They effectively developed comradery within cohesive teams through intensive group discussions and workshops.
It was a true pleasure working candidly and intimately with my cohort, resulting in new friendships and an extended professional network. Thank you very much to the career coaches and trainers for their assistance and passion. I am now working as Chief Commercial Officer for nView Medical, and I am excited and grateful.” – Anan Natarajan
Bob Shultz
Being a part of the overall 80% program participant placement rate of is very gratifying. As such, I am extremely thankful for the support and encouragement I received from P2E. The program provided invaluable assistance with updating my resume and teaching me effective interviewing skills. The classroom environment was great as members of my cohort were both friendly and supportive.
At the beginning of each classroom session, we were asked to share expressions of gratitude. So it’s now appropriate for me to extend my sincere thanks to the P2E team. They provided effective and passionate classroom facilitation, invaluable advice, humor, viable job leads and most of all the empowerment to stay focused and positive. I also wish to thank my family for the faith they maintained in me when even I began to wonder if fulltime employment would elude me forever. I sincerely appreciate that I had the opportunity to participate in the P2E program and wish everyone associated with it continued success in the execution of their most worthwhile mission!” -Bob Schultz
Barry Guess
Barry has worked diligently on his personal goals. Not only is he employed, but he also has an apartment and was able to purchase a car so that he would have transportation to and from work. Through P2E Re-Entry, Barry received resources such as resume services, work clothing support, technical assistance such as a laptop, and job placement assistance. We are so proud of the progress Barry has made, his connection with his career counselor and retention team, and the progress he continues to showcase.
Employers
Remarkable People – Extraordinary Opportunities
Platform to Employment (P2E) provides businesses a risk-free opportunity to evaluate an individual before you hire them, at no cost to you. The program brings qualified talent to your team, quickly and affordably for lasting success. We understand that hiring even highly qualified candidates can be a risk.
The job candidates we present to you have successfully completed the P2E preparatory program and are hand-picked based on your specifications, corporate culture and their potential contribution to your bottom line.
Employers can evaluate potential candidates through resume reviews and interviews before engaging in an eight-week work experience program. This program provides employers with the opportunity to engage potential employees, interact with them in a real work environment and evaluate their performance before making a commitment. Since P2E covers the candidates wages during the work experience there is no cost to employers.
For employers, P2E is a simple solution to hiring the right applicant for your business.
The Wage Subsidy program works as follows:
- Employers’ interview pre-screened candidates for open positions
- Candidates are placed on the payroll of The WorkPlace during a trial work experience. The candidate is an employee of The WorkPlace but reports to your office just as a regular hire.
- We pay the wages of the participant during the trial work experience at no cost to you.
- If for some reason the hire is not a good fit, the work experience can be concluded at any time.
- At the end of a successful trial work experience, the candidate transitions to your payroll and they become your permanent hire.
- Nationally, nearly 90% of candidates successfully make the transition to employer payrolls. This is a credit not only to our innovative program design, but to the caliber of people we seek to place…
Platform to Employment has successfully worked with businesses and job seekers for almost 10 years. The program has been featured on 60-Minutes, PBS, CNN and Fox Business. It is a no-cost solution that is filling the workforce gap more effectively by saving businesses Time, Money, Energy and Effort.
Learn more about Platform to Employment and the wage subsidy program by contacting Michael Morgan at (203) 610-8572 or info@platformtoemployment.com
Employer Testimonials
Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness
Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness mission is to prevent and end homelessness in CT through leadership and advocacy. CT Coalition hired Platform to Employment (P2E) graduate Rosie Armstrong as an executive assistant and were able to asses her skills at no cost because P2E paid her salary for 8 weeks. Rosie worked with the CEO and performed clerical tasks such as setting up meetings, keeping track of daily scheduling and preparing reports, memos and invoices. Rosie was offered a permanent position after finishing her subsidy.
“This was a great way for our CEO and Rosie to get to know each other and confirm it would be a solid team with added benefit of no cost to us for eight weeks. This is a fantastic opportunity especially in the realm of non-profits.”
– Elena Simoes, Director of Finance and Administration
Fones School of Dental Hygiene
The University of Bridgeport Fones School of Dental Hygiene recently hired Anette, a graduate of Platform to Employment (P2E) as an office assistant where she performs administrative duties. Fones School was given the opportunity to asses her capabilities at no cost for 8 weeks because P2E paid her salary in its entirety for that period. The trial employment period provides long-term unemployed individuals with an opportunity to demonstrate they can do the job while employers have a no-risk opportunity to determine if the candidate is a good fit for their organization. Fones School Director of Human Resources has since reached out to P2E about filing another vacant position at the school based on their experience and success with the program.
“I have enjoyed working with Anette on a day to day basis as she is my “right hand woman” and is pro-active in knowing my needs which is a plus for my faculty and me”
– Marion Manski, Director of Fones School of Dental Hygiene.
Two Men and A Truck
Two Men and A Truck is a residential and commercial moving company committed to exceeding their customers’ expectations in value and high standards of satisfaction. With their expansion to the New Haven County and CT shoreline area, their need to support growth through customer support staff was imperative. The Platform to Employment program was the perfect fit with the caliber of participants that are prepared for employment and growth, along with the no risk to employer wage subsidy program.
“P2E did a great job identifying participants that were best fit for our needs, job requirements and expectations. We were able to evaluate, train and successfully hire Bryne Barrenger as our newest Customer Service Representative. We look forward to our continued relationship with Platform to Employment and highly recommend their services to any employer in this competitive job market.”
– Jennifer Richotte, Human Resources, Administrative Manager.
Platform to Employment Connecticut
Creating a Pathway To Opportunity For Job Seekers
Platform to Employment (P2E) graduates Get Hired! Through Platform to Employment® job seekers find the support and services needed to get back to work. P2E helps the long-term unemployed, those who have exhausted unemployment benefits, get back to work by addressing their specific challenges.
Just “20 Days to Success”! Platform to Employment is an empowering solution that is available to job seekers at no cost. Work with a dedicated staff to improve your self image and transform job search skills. Through P2E find a committed support system and network of professionals with the same goal; helping people get back to work.
P2E is also an innovative solution addressing the challenges of returning the long-term unemployed to work while providing employers a new avenue to a skilled workforce. Businesses receive a risk-free opportunity to evaluate and consider hiring participants during a paid work experience funded by Platform to Employment.
Contact Information
(203) 373-2147
Toll Free (855) 245-4P2E
or (855) 245-4723
info@platformtoemployment.com
Platform to Employment Re-Entry
The Pathway To Success Starts Here
Platform to Employment Re-Entry is a statewide pilot program to reduce unemployment and recidivism rates among the reentry population. The program is modeled after the nationally recognized Platform to Employment (P2E) program which was designed to reconnect the long-term unemployed with the workforce.
Platform to Employment Re-Entry provides formerly incarcerated individuals with work readiness and career development training. The core of the training focuses on life skills and professional development training to enhance confidence and improve employment opportunities. It includes access to career-related tools, seminars, behavioral health services, financial counseling and other resources to strengthen skills to secure careers. Other supports include resources to address barriers to employment such as transportation and childcare.
Just “20 Days to Success”! Platform to Employment is an empowering solution that is available to job seekers at no cost. Work with a dedicated staff and a committed support system with the same goal; helping you get back to work.
Platform to Employment Re-Entry is offered statewide in Connecticut with programs in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Norwich and Waterbury.
Contact Information
(203) 610-8496
p2ereentry@workplace.org
Platform to Employment for Veterans
Helping Veterans Find Career Opportunities
Platform to Employment (P2E) for Veterans is a preparatory program that includes skills assessment, career readiness workshops and personal coaching all geared towards helping the long-term unemployed re-enter the workforce. P2E incorporates a successful curriculum of self-assessment, managing change, effective communication and successful job search strategies.
Platform to Employment for Veterans helps people who have exhausted their unemployment benefits. Our education and career counseling program is a great opportunity for Veterans to get personalized support to help guide their career paths. The program is based out of Bridgeport and only serves veterans that live in Connecticut, whether you completed your service recently or years ago.
What Veterans Can Expect:
- Improve your job search skills
- Work with a dedicated career coach and employment specialist
- Connect with a committed support system
- Obtain employment
Contact Information
(203) 373-2147
Toll Free (855) 245-4P2E
or (855) 245-4723
p2eveterans@workplace.org
Platform to Employment Youth
Feepling Lost? You’re not alone.
Many young people face challenges finding their path after high school. If you’re struggling to find your next step, Platform to Employment Youth is here to help. The program empowers you by offering hands-on learning experiences, mentorship, and exposure to real-world challenges. It strengthens pathways to employment opportunities and careers fostering economic self-sufficiency.
- Flexibility- our programs fit your busy schedule
- Proven Success- Modeled on the successful Platform to Employment program with an 80% success rate over 10 years, our track record speaks for itself.
- Supportive Community- Join a network of like-minded peers.
Contact Information
Savoui Graham
Platform to Employment YOUTH program manager
Office: 203-610-8552
Cell: 475-351-5000
Email: sgraham@workplace.org