Workforce Challenge 

Tired of working retail jobs for most of his life, Eric Richardson Jr. wanted a change. With many stores closing in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he wanted a secure future that allowed for the possibility of starting his own business. He contacted the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development’s (MOED) Northwest One-Stop Career Center in October 2020, hoping they could help him with a career transition.

Workforce Solutions 

He met virtually with Business Service Representative Beatrice Kane who worked with him on interviewing techniques and enrolled Eric in MOED’s resume workshop. After learning more about what Eric wanted in his new career, Beatrice connected Eric to Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC) for their Welding Certification training program.

JARC Baltimore is a training program that has partnered with MOED on occupational skills training and job placement. Eric attended a 14-week, hands-on training learning the fundamentals of welding and the processes used in manufacturing and construction. Eric graduated with a Certificate of Welder Performance and continued with JARC for an additional two weeks to attend their job club, which helped him successfully gain employment at Maritime Applied Physics Corporation as a Welder.

Outcomes & Benefits

Eric never imagined life as a welder and loves his new career. “I will be forever grateful for the opportunity and continue to move forward with starting my own welding business,” Eric said.