Scott County resident Michael lost his job due to the pandemic and found it nearly impossible to make ends meet when his unemployment benefits were exhausted. He sold almost everything he had just to keep his head above water when he learned about the A Step Ahead program and contacted case manager Robyn Davis.
Due to the dire nature of Michael’s situation, Robyn co-enrolled him in the WIOA Dislocated Worker program to help Michael bridge the gap with gas reimbursement and tuition assistance for the CDL program at Tri-County Driving Academy in Hansonville. Using funding from both programs, Michael could pay his bills without worry and focus on doing well in training.
Michael earned his CDL in July and works full-time with Thompson Metal Services in Kingsport, Tennessee.
The A Step Ahead program is an initiative of the Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board and the United Way of Southwest Virginia. A Step Ahead provides an $800 per month stipend (up to four months) to anyone who lost their job due to the pandemic and is completing or wants to complete a short-term training program. If this sounds like you or someone you know, contact us to see how you can get started!
