Career Exploration Program

Career Exploration Program

The Career Exploration Program is a community based on-the-job training program with class time instruction.

Career Exploration Program (CEP) is a community based on-the-job training program with class time instruction. Instruction will include, but is not limited to: viewing instructional videos, participation in discussion about rules and task performance, practice with interviewing and résumé building, and practice of individual skills and techniques used on the job.

Length of program – One to two years, based on an individual’s job readiness as determined by the support team.

Location – Discovery Children’s Museum

Days and Hours – Monday thru Friday, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm

Pay – CEP is an unpaid training experience. Participants volunteer at local non-profits and gain vocational skills through service-learning. An Opportunity Village job coach is on-site to assist participants at no cost to the individual.

Who is ready for CEP? A participant is someone who…

  • Is level 9 CTC funded
  • Is required to have reliable transportation and arrive to and from the training site independently.
  • While in the program, each participant will receive monthly reports which will be forwarded to the participant’s DRC service coordinators. Strengths and challenges identified in these reports will be shared with the participant along with strategies for making improvements. Each participant, their DRC service coordinators and CEP job coach, will meet every 6 months for a review of progress and/or challenges.
  • Demonstrate excellent attendance and punctuality. Participants must demonstrate good interpersonal skills, including the absence of stranger danger or boundary concerns. Participants must be able to remain self-directed and on task for six hours a day, which includes training and class time instruction.
  • Have a valid Nevada ID, Social Security card, and Health Card – all are mandatory.
  • Comply with dress code– All participants will be required to wear black pants, socks, and black non-skid shoes. Opportunity Village will provide polo shirts and name tags for all participants.

The purpose of CEP is to provide each participant with real on-the-job training in the community; an opportunity that would otherwise not be available to them. 

How to refer and candidate:

  1. Opportunity Village Case Manager or DRC Service coordinator can send information on individuals that they believe are appropriate candidates for CEP to Judy Swain, Manager of Employment Training Programs.
    a. Information should include most recent Face Sheet, PCP, social annual assessment/psychological assessment, and latest quarterly report (if available).
  2. If the candidate chooses CEP and is deemed appropriate for CEP by Opportunity Village and their DRC Service coordinator, the candidate will be placed on the waiting list pending a start date.