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LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – For many looking for a second chance in the workforce, it can be overwhelming.
Jason Hart, a Lincoln non-profit, offers paid career training in IT and media to people with criminal records and others.
It’s a way for people to learn critical skills and set the model for them to eventually find full-time jobs in the tech industry.
Lesa Bullin is one of the first trainees to enroll in the program. She’s candid about her past – she says sharing her time behind bars changed her life. She graduated from Southeast Community College this year, but the job market, Bullin said, was tough to break into.
In total, she was rejected for about 70 jobs.
“I was convicted of a felony drug offense,” Bullin said. “And even though I broke college, I couldn’t even get any recruiters to talk to me.”
Bullin’s 10/11 Now Report aired Jason’s heart attack earlier this year and was recorded shortly thereafter. Bullin and Micha Ketchum, another participant in the program, are four months into their year-long internship.
Both have criminal records but are passionate about their work.
“Ever since I was a kid, I was always trying to figure out how to create some reason to get on the computer,” Ketcham said.
In addition to learning skills consultants, Ketchum and Bullin also take Ketcham and Bullin out into the field to work with clients. Hopefully it will prepare them for careers after graduation.
“They’re going into the workforce, they’re taking out taxes,” said Matt Fuller of the nonprofit. “You know they’re doing all this and we need it and it’s with a big manpower shortage.”
For Bullin, it gave her a chance to come full circle.
“I went through drug treatment,” Bullin said. “And I try to go back and see the people who helped me get to where I am. Those who saw me at the lowest point are now seeing me rise to the highest level.”
In addition to ex-offenders, the program is also for veterans and low- to moderate-income earners.
They can apply for their summer internships starting next Saturday and will have an open house next month on November 18, to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the Apprenticeship Act.
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