BROCKTON — Fourteen area residents who are natives of five countries graduated Friday morning from the “English for Employment” program taught by the city’s Adult Learning Center and CareerWorks, the Massachusetts one-stop career center for greater Brockton.
The ceremony, held at the Career Center across from City Hall, was an emotional occasion for many of the participants.
“It is a momentous event, because it marks the ending of the English for Employment class and the beginning of a new life,” Nathalie Boucher told her fellow graduates.
English for Employment was created in 2000 by a partnership between the Adult Learning Center and CareerWorks. The program is designed to help non-native English speakers develop the practical language skills needed to search for employment.
Over the years, it has taught scores of Brockton area adults how to prepare a resume, interview confidently and use a computer to search for job opportunities.
“In my case, I started a new job this month as a cashier at Target, where I am meeting people and using English every day,” Boucher said.
“I was a medical doctor in Haiti, and I hope to someday work in medical research, possibly at a Boston medical center,” she said. “ I am also a candidate for the Transitions Program at Massasoit Community College, where I plan to further my education.”
Several other graduates also recently found employment.
According to CareerWorks, Géraldine Jean Louis of Brockton was hired as a certified nursing assistant at Baypointe Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center, and Lisbeth Mora of Stoughton was hired as a tax preparer by H & R Block.
Suzanne Martin, coordinator of the Adult Learning Center, and Kim McLaughlin, director of CareerWorks, welcomed the graduates and their guests.
The graduates received certificates from Lenore Cardoza of the Adult Learning Center, who taught the class with CareerWorks career specialist Judy Langley.
In addition to their certificates, the graduates also received citations from the office of state Rep. Christine Canavan, D-Brockton. State Rep. Michael Brady, D-Brockton, and a representative of Mayor Linda Balzotti were on hand to congratulate them.
The 11-week course is open to non-native English speakers who are legally authorized to work in the United States and who are seeking new or better jobs. Participants must speak, read and write English at a high-intermediate level.
The program, funded by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education the Brockton Public Schools and CareerWorks through the Workforce Investment Act, is offered free to eligible adults. The class is taught on Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon.
The next class starts Jan. 7 and runs through March 25. To register, call 508-513-3445.
The participants in Friday’s class originally hailed from Cape Verde, Colombia, Haiti, Jamaica and Venezuela.
LIST OF GRADUATES: The graduates included Nathalie Boucher, of Brockton; Maria Canuto, Brockton; Virginia DaSilva, Brockton; Sonia Dasse, Randolph; Guilhermina Gonçalves, Brockton; Géraldine Jean Louis, Brockton; Kerwin Lafortune, Brockton; Pamella Martin, Canton; Jacques Kesler Mathurin, East Weymouth; Lisbeth Mora, Stoughton; Adélina Pierrot, Brockton; Adélcia Rocha, Brockton; Ednive Saint Phar, Brockton, and Martha Isabel Woodbury, Marshfield.
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