Feature Writer John Christie – Statler Center to Make a Dent in Unemployment
The Statler Center was formed 13 years ago as a program of the Olmsted Center for Sight. Its main purpose was to teach blind and visually impaired people, as well as those with physical disabilities, vocational training for employment in the hospitality industry. A contact center customer service program was also developed four years ago. In addition, the program teaches prospective employees resume writing and job interviewing skills.
According to Jefferey Pease, Recruitment and Marketing Manager, you must have a GED or high school diploma and be able to type 20 words a minute in order to be accepted in to the program. In addition, you must go through an interview process with Pease and one of his colleagues. While in either program, students learn Microsoft Word levels 1 and 2, Microsoft Excel levels 1 and 2, as well as Microsoft Outlook–all from the ground up. In addition, students learn about programs that hotels use such as Opera and Sodileo and programs that contact centers use for performing customer service work. Pease also said that the center has their own contact center so that clients can get experience working on live accounts, helping them build resume experience. The program also provides job coaching and has a job developer.
The program is really soup to nuts. “We feel that once people complete the program, they will really know how to get employment,” Pease said. His words hold some water, too, as the program has an 82 percent placement rate.
The center is based in Buffalo, New York, but they are in the process of accepting new enrollees for a class in Albany, New York. In the past, classes have also been held in Orlando and Las Vegas, as well as Delaware and Los Angeles. There are usually 15 people to a class.
The Statler Center has some great programs for blind and visually impaired people as well as people with physical disabilities to learn new skills. Hopefully these programs can make a dent in the unemployment rate for these groups of people.
For more information about the Statler Center and its programs contact :
Jeff Pease
Recruitment and Marketing Manager
1170 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14209
Direct: 716-888-4526
Fax: 716-878-0540
jpease at StatlerCenter.org