What is ZuCan?
The ZuCan program helps parents receiving public assistance
map out a plan to reach a career goal, and provides the skills
needed so they can either get a job or get a better job and move up
the career ladder.
Each ZuCan participant meets with a career coach to help them
discover or clarify their career goals and outline the steps to
reach those goals. These steps may include working with
employers to gain work experience and/or going to school to gain
additional skills.
Like a scholarship or other employment programs, participants
receive a small cash stipend as long as they continue participating
in program activities. These activities are designed to help
them gain the skills that employers are seeking.
Participants may also receive support services, such as
childcare or money to reimburse a portion of their transportation
expenses. If a participant stops completing program
activities, he or she will no longer receive the cash stipend and
support services.
How can employers and community partners help parents
participating in the program?
There are a variety of ways employers and community agencies
can partner with ZuCan to help our community’s participants gain
skills and work experience:
- Business leaders may present to area employers about becoming a
community partner, an employer of a program participant and/or an
advocate for the program. We will work with the business leaders to
arrange convenient presentation dates and times.
- Employers may participate in ZuCan Works, which places
participants with a local business to gain work
experience. This program allows participants to gain
job-specific skills, while helping employers increase productivity
and meet business needs.
All program participants complete an intensive employability skills
curriculum before being matched with an organization based on the
employer’s requirements and the skills the participant needs to
gain. Throughout the process, a ZuCan Works Coach will be
assigned to the employer to ensure the relationship is mutually
beneficial.
ZuCan Works positions are not paid, and Worker’s Compensation is
covered by the state of Florida. Please note that participants
cannot displace a current employee or fill an open position, unless
the participant is hired by the employer immediately.
- Employers may work with a ZuCan Quest Coach, who prepares
program participants to go to work. Employers can help the
Coach prepare interview questions for mock interviews. By
offering your time, you can help participants learn how to answer
interview questions during these mock sessions.
- Community partners may provide brochures and information about
their programs to ZuCan staff to share with participants.
To learn how to help ZuCan participants gain the skills needed
by employers and obtain a job that benefits the entire family,
e-mail
emott@wcfla.com.
