Established in 2005, Step Up Savannah works collaboratively with all sectors of the community to improve the economic mobility and financial stability of families in Savannah and Chatham County Georgia. While more than a quarter of Savannah’s residents live in poverty, that percentage jumps to more than 50% in some neighborhoods.
The focus of Step Up Savannah’s outreach is in four strategic areas: workforce development, wealth building, advocacy and policy, and supporting organizations and community leaders. A key goal of the organization is to empower unemployed and under employed residents to find or create career paths that offer self-sustaining wages and opportunities for advancement.
“At Step Up Savannah, we are committed to providing high-quality programming that includes relevant skill development and industry-recognized certifications or credentials that are in line with industry needs and requirements,” explains Tanika Rivers, Chatham Apprentice Program (CAP) Manager.
That is why the team was drawn to Employment Technologies award-winning EASy Simulations. “The simulations are a vital part of our Employability Skills curriculum taught by a certified instructor,” states Ms. Rivers. The simulations allow participants to test-drive a job and provide valuable insights into job requirements while building essential workplace skills. “The simulations are in direct alignment with the program outcomes we are looking to achieve.”
“Since implementing EASy Simulations, we have noticed an increase in participants’ willingness to address their challenges, an increase in skills development, and a clearer understanding of job market demands,” observes Ms. Rivers. “CAP participants respond extremely well to the simulations. They view the experience as a learning opportunity that helps them address and remove barriers that may have hindered their ability to maintain employment in the past.”
“We have seen an increase in graduates’ ability to maintain long-term employment, improving financial stability for themselves and their families,” concludes Ms. Rivers.