JobTrain, a vocational education and job placement program based in Menlo Park, has found a way to help those residents of San Mateo County who need assistance in building a path to a successful career. The program lends a helping hand to those who have been affected by poverty, crime, poor education, and homelessness by providing job training, academic courses, and "life skills development". One of the core philosophies of the program is that with proper guidance, every person has the potential to contribute something meaningful to society, and truly would like a "hand up rather than a hand out".

The program offers daytime and evening programs to people from age 14 and up. Youth clients can gain high school credits through the program, and job skills for after-high-school career goals. The primary youth programs are SASSY (School After School for Successful Youth) and OSY (Out of School Youth). Both programs seek to create independency and self-sufficiency among younger clientele.

Adult programs seek to enhance job search skills as well as basic computer skills in order to help clients find the jobs they want. The adult programs also offer training in fields such as the culinary arts, health care, computer service, and office work.

JobTrain is connected with organizations in San Mateo County like PeninsulaWorks, the county's main job training organization located in Redwood City. PeninsulaWorks is funded by the San Mateo County Workforce Investment Board and works with numerous partners such as Family Service Agency of San Mateo County and San Mateo County Central Labor Council.

Researched and written by Cathryn Dalton

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