Post from Community: UMOS TechHire re-entry program | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
UMOS
December 3, 2019
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TECHHIRE:  MORE SKILLS, MORE MARKETABILITY
Overview
The UMOS TechHire Program provides technology training based on employers’ needs.
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The program provides accelerated training, hands-on experience in web and software application development, web development, help desk analyst, Microsoft Office  Specialist, CNC, AutoCAD and more.
For employers, benefits include screening, recruitment and training, pipeline to potential employees, paid internships, coaching and support.
For program participants, benefits include a flexible learning environment, free classroom based and virtual training options, hundreds of industry standard technology certifications, enhanced portfolio for more marketability, as well as direct connection to potential employers.
Re-entry Program
Knowing the ABC’s of CNC..Before Release
The UMOS Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) program is accelerated coursework that provides technical skill development in blueprint reading, metrology, introduction to CNC programming, manual vertical milling and CNC Vertical machining…..before an inmate is released. The 14-credit course leads to a technical diploma in CNC vertical  machining.
The course is open to anyone between the ages of 17-29. However, UMOS has formed a creative partnership with the House of Corrections to provide re-entry training to inmates  they are released. This gives ex-offenders a better chance of finding family supporting employment sooner when they return to their communities.
There have been several CNC graduating classes from MATC. Each student has their own unique story. Below are a few.
Brandon Cheng – House of Corrections, release date: March 2019, considered one of the top students, is sought after by a couple of the employer partners. Internship/employment with Trace-A-Matic or RTD. Parents are super proud, and his father is a machinist. His plan is to assist his parents with helping out with his younger siblings, he has five younger siblings. He is the youngest of the CNC participants.
Justin Simpson – House of Corrections – release date January 2019, Justin released early, homeless for a period of time, without transportation or food as well but kept attending class. Other students brought food for him (other inmates saved their HOC lunch and would give it to him at class) during class periods, another student had a relative assist him with a room until he found a landlord that would help him in Feb. He receives bus passes from TechHire, rental assistance and has landed some carpentry/construction work to get by. He will be interning/employment with RTD.
Jerome Fox – House of Corrections, release date, March 2019, considered on of the top students, is sought after by two employer partners. Will be interning and become employed with RTD. Jerome plans to continue with CNC career, as a brother did a similar path. He looks forward to a better life and plans to marry upon his release in the spring.
Kristopher Kolhouse – Marty’s Place, is a transition/re-entry living home for men on the southside. Chris would like to intern/be employed with RTD. His plan is to move back to the southside and assist his elderly mother as he pursues his career in CNC programming.
Travell Quinn – Travell was a referral from a MATC instructor, who was struggling financially to pay for CNC training. Travell completed the coursework and his plan is to go straight into job placement. Travell will work with Goodwill Industries “TalentBridge” program to become employed with CNC employers who are located on the Milwaukee bus lines.
Scott Mathis – Referred by House of Corrections staff, a young man, living on the northside of Milwaukee. Very motivated and interested in a CNC programming career. Scott is looking to intern/work for RTD or Trace-A-Matic to support his young family and build his career. Scott has a one-year old son, Scott, Junior.