Victor Tinsley is on a deadline. He needs to have a job by April 23rd.
This 22-year old Knoxville native is expecting his first child this spring, and he is doing all that he can to prepare. “I wanted a job anyways,” he said, “but this just gave me the extra kick. I need to work now.”
Since graduating high school, Victor hasn’t been doing much. He has never worked and wasn’t sure how to get a job. He has cerebral palsy and his work experience is limited to volunteering with groups in high school.
Victor found Goodwill’s Back on Track program by accident when he was searching for a job, and was excited to become one of the program’s first members.
Back on Track is a free program designed to help young adults find their next career steps. This program, part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, provides vocational services at no cost to youth between the ages of 16 and 24. These services may include career assessment and planning, educational assistance, financial literacy, paid and unpaid work experience, support services and job placement assistance.
Victor is still in the early stages of the program, having just completed his career assessment and planning goals. “They asked me good questions, like what I actually like to do,” he shared. “That helped me measure where I’m at and what I’m comfortable with.”
Victor hopes to have a job where he can work with people. He’s going to work with the Back on Track staff to improve his resume and practice presenting himself at interviews. Soon, he’ll start applying for jobs and will, hopefully, find a job that suits him well within the next few months. Just in time to get settled in his new career before his baby is born.
If you’re interested in learning about the free Back on Track program, contact Goodwill staff or attend an information session at the Bearden Goodwill (5307 Kingston Pike) on Tuesdays at 11am.