Jasmine participated in Pre‐Employment Transition Services (Pre‐ETS) Workplace Readiness Training for youth with disabilities in 2019. She was quiet the first couple of days but by the end, she found her voice and was helping others. Jasmine lives and attends school in Cashmere. After she completed several weeks of work readiness workshops, SkillSource contacted several employers to explore internship opportunities. One employer, Martin’s Marketplace, took time to thoroughly consider the opportunity and jumped on board.
During internships, it’s just as important to stay engaged with the employer as with the trainee. Staff remind employers and trainees that SkillSource is here to support them, checking in regularly, and following up on any issues that may surface. Every time SkillSource contacted Martin’s Marketplace, they only had positive feedback about Jasmine. When her training counselor checked in, Jasmine would always express appreciation for the opportunity. She not only held down this job while attending Cashmere High School, but she was also attending the Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center Criminal Justice program.
Jasmine’s hard work paid off and after she completed the internship, Martin’s hired her. A year later, when SkillSource followed up with Kris Reinhart at Martin’s Market, she reported that Jasmine was still employed and doing very well at her job while continuing her senior year of high school.
