Boston, July 5, 2016, — The Retail Skills Training graduated its first class of five students today. The class was provided by the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) and the Chinese Progressive Association (CPA). The program is supported by the Neighborhoods Jobs Trust of the City of Boston.
Students received training in customer service, English relevant to customer service industry and mainstream job search skills such as using computers, interview practice, and resume writing. Students also received one-on-one job and career coaching as part of the class. The training lasted 10 weeks and students met Monday through Friday for two and a half hours each day. The class serves low-income immigrants living in Boston. Wanna Li, graduate of the class, said “Before when I interviewed for a job at an American company, I did not understand all the questions and did not feel prepared. Now the class has given me more confidence to speak English and to do interviews in the future.”
Whole Foods Market and Roche Bros. Supermarkets opened stores in or near Chinatown and South End this past year and partnered with the Collaborative to provide industry-relevant materials and input into the curriculum, and tours of their stores. Graduates will receive interviews with the two companies.
The next cycle for the Retail Skills Training will run from July 5th to September 9th, Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 12:00 PM. The class is for Boston residents only and is free for participants. Students can go to the Chinese Progressive Association at 28 Ash Street in Boston Chinatown to apply now.
Since 1969, BCNC (www.bcnc.net) has been the vital link for the Asian community of Greater Boston, providing essential services that ease their integration into American society and preserve their rich culture. BCNC offers exemplary services to over 2,000 children, youth and adults each year. BCNC is the largest Asian social service provider in New England and its programs in Boston and Quincy include: Acorn Center for Early Education and Care, Adult Education, Family Child Care, Family Services, Youth Center, Recreation and Fitness and Red Oak After School Program.
CPA (www.cpaboston.org) was founded in 1977 out of a series of community organizing campaigns around issues such as Chinese parents’ input into the Boston school desegregation process and organizing for community control over land development in Chinatown. CPA’s mission is to work for the full equality and empowerment of the Chinese community. Today, CPA has over 1,000 members in the Greater Boston area and work on community issues such as Chinatown Stabilization, housing and displacement, job development and standards, youth empowerment and civic engagement.