CAREER GEAR HOUSTON

In 2014, Career Gear launched 2 new demographic programs to target the ever growing need of career readiness. The first demographic targeted were our veterans. It is estimated that within the next 5 years there will be over 100,000 veterans returning from their military service and transitioning in to our civilian employment sectors. Houston currently has the second largest veteran population in our country. As the veteran population in our country grows, Houston is expected to see an additional 1,000 veterans per month. These veterans are attracted to Houston’s healthy economy and one of the best VA Hospitals in our county.


Mission Possible was created to address the needs of the most served demographic at CGH, our Veterans. Launched in the Fall of 2014, as a United Way Veteran Services Grant recipient, Mission Possible exceeded its grant goal of transitioning 50 veterans, as 147 veterans made a successful transition from military to civilian employment during the grant year.

WellSuited was launched in the fall of 2014 to target those who just arriving at the age of understanding the difference between a job and a career, our youth. In partnership with transitional coaches in HISD High Schools, Houston Community College (HCC), and Lone Star College. In it's first two semesters, WellSuited has provided career readiness skills to 156 transitioning high school seniors, 87 college freshman, and 43 second chance students.

Career Gear continues to focus on meeting the needs of our clients. This focus on providing quality, holistic services has led us to address the needs of an often discarded and overlooked population, men in need of a second chance. These men deserve an opportunity to be forgiven and gifted with a new life that is within their reach, they are our non-violent ex-offender population.

Resent sentencing reform has granted a reduction in many non-violent drug sentences, thus flooding our city with men and women hoping to be offered a fresh start in our healthy Houston economy. It is vital that they are met with holistic services as well, providing encouragement and guidance as they transition.

The SkillUp offers beginner and intermate instruction for individuals who are interested in working in the Information technology career market. We know that IT is stable and ever evolving. Due to
the consta nt evolutions in the industry ongoing education is needed . This incubator provides
those in need online and, in class, setting with access to hardware for hands on learning. Every student is also given the opportunity to begin a paid internsh ip once they completed the needed modules and passed their first set of certifications. The earning opportunities are expanded with the ability to become a contract worker and creating your own IT consulting or service business. The basics of how to establish your own sole proprietorship or DB A is a vital part o f the c lass curriculum Upon graduation from this self paced incubator, students have the earning potential of $24-$86 dollars an hour as well as the ability to set their own hours allowing for work life balance.