English to Work

CAMBA launched the English to Work Program in the spring of 2019 to provide adult learners with free English language instruction and concurrent job training as a direct response to community need demonstrated in Education Center survey results, where we learned that 65% of our adult learners are unemployed and the majority survive on an income of less than $10,000 per year. Most of our learners lack a high school diploma and are not eligible for workforce development programs; those who do qualify often struggle to succeed because of insufficient English-language skills

To meet the language and job-readiness needs of our students, the English to Work Program combines CAMBA’s English language learning coursework with training in Accounting & QuickBooks, Food & Beverage Handling, or Home Health Aide. Enrolled participants do not pay any of the fees and expenses generally associated with these programs. Each quarter, over the course of 10 weeks, CAMBA offers English instruction 3 days a week; Food & Beverage Handling classes are offered on the other two days of the week. Students who pass the required exams receive a certificate from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute, a branch of the National Restaurant Association. The Accounting & QuickBooks or the Home Health Aide trainings are facilitated by Kingsborough Community College’s Continuing Education Program. All students in those classes are registered in the Kingsborough Continuing Education Registration System. Those who pass the required exams receive a completion certificate from the college.

The program’s case manager provides resume preparation, cover letter writing, interview practice, and job referral assistance to participants.

The program’s English instruction services are funded by the NYS Education Department. Funding to cover training expenses come private and public donors, such as Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, Grubhub Community Fund, United Neighborhood Houses, and the NY City Council Discretionary Program.

Eligibility: NYC residents/workers (primarily Flatbush and East Flatbush). Participants must be 16 or older and are not currently enrolled or planning to enroll in secondary school.

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