Education 2 Employment (E2E) program garners national and statewide honors
March 8, 2017
The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments has received a 2016 National Association of Development Associations (NADO) Innovation Award for an outstanding, creative approach to bettering North Charleston with its Employment 2 Education project.
Helping the unemployed between the ages of 16-29 enhance their job prospects, ‘E2E’ was also awarded the South Carolina Regional Councils 2016 Project of the Year and assists participants even if they have an offense on their record while reimbursing 75% of training costs to participating employers.
“We’re delighted to receive recognition for a program that we believe makes North Charleston a better place,” said BCDCOG Executive Director Ron Mitchum. “From exam fees to GED preparation and on-the-job training, we will continue to foster E2E as a resource for young adults to find opportunity and thrive.”
One E2E success story comes from Mitzi Pettigrew, who came to E2E from a pre-trial intervention program. After working diligently to have her charges dropped, Pettigrew enrolled in CNA training and passed the NACES exam with the help of Career Coach Stephanie McCallister. She is now enrolled in nursing school at Charleston Southern University and is employed as a Patient Care Technician at Roper St. Francis Hospital.
“2015 was an extremely difficult year for me after being arrested and losing my job,” shares Pettigrew. “E2E was a blessing and I’m eternally grateful to Stephanie McCallister, who taught me that no matter what you’ve been through, you can always recover. I had a dream to work in the medical field and E2E gave me the tools to make it happen.”
About BCDCOG
The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments is a three-county regional agency that offers a variety of planning, economic development and social services to grow and develop the tri-county area. BCDCOG’s purpose is to strengthen the individual and collective power of local governments and to help them recognize regional opportunities, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and make joint decisions. For the latest on BCDCOG, visit www.bcdcog.com, like us on Facebook or follow on Twitter at @BDCCoG.
