For people who have enjoyed adequate resources and support throughout their early lives, the path to career success can be relatively straightforward: graduate from high school, enter college or career training programs, qualify for an entry-level career role, then get promoted. For those who have faced or currently face significant adversity in life, however, finding and keeping a high-quality job can be an uphill battle without adequate logistical support. 

In addition, employers in many industries are increasingly seeking out skilled “new-collar” workers to fill lucrative positions that don’t require a college degree. This means that for job seekers who didn’t or won’t attend college, specialized job training offers more opportunities than ever — as does the support that helps them complete it.

That’s where wraparound services for adults come in, providing comprehensive assistance that both addresses employment readiness and removes major socioeconomic barriers that prevent workers from obtaining a good job. These supporting services don’t just benefit individual workers; they strengthen the workforce and the economy as a whole.

What Are Wraparound Services?

Wraparound career services are holistic human services designed specifically to help individuals overcome barriers to employment. Unlike traditional job training programs that focus solely on developing profession-specific skills, those that offer integrated wraparound support services address a wide range of practical needs that can hamper a person’s ability to obtain and retain employment. Wraparound support can be offered as part of workforce development and career services programs.

Holistic support services are particularly crucial for individuals struggling with housing, childcare, legal, mental health, and food insecurity needs. By addressing these factors, wraparound programs help individuals become job-ready and stay employed, which is a critical component of workforce development.

What Wraparound Services Typically Include and How They Help Workers

Wraparound career services vary widely depending on the needs of the individual and the resources available, but they generally fall into several key categories, such as:

  • Mental health, substance abuse, and crisis intervention services. Many individuals face mental health challenges (often directly associated with being part of a marginalized community or experiencing other roadblocks in life) that can interfere with their ability to conduct a successful job search. Counseling services can provide crucial support, helping individuals manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
  • Childcare and family support. For working parents — particularly single parents — finding childcare is often a major obstacle to employment. Wraparound family services help parents get access to affordable, high-quality childcare so they can focus on their job training without worrying about their children’s well-being.
  • Housing assistance. Stable housing is essential for maintaining employment. Wraparound services can provide a variety of resources and connections that help workers find affordable housing.
  • Help navigating government benefits and nonprofit resources. Supportive services can help workers apply for state and federal assistance programs related to essential needs like medical coverage, food, and disability insurance. They may also connect job trainees with local nonprofit resources, such as food pantries.
  • Legal assistance. It’s especially important for workers in vulnerable communities or situations to have access to targeted legal services that can help them exercise their rights as workers, parents, citizens, and/or immigrants.

How Career Support Services Strengthen the Workforce and the Economy

Beyond the individual benefits, wraparound career services play a crucial role in strengthening the workforce and the broader economy. These services have the power to make the job market more inclusive and equitable for disadvantaged workers who have enormous potential. Furthermore, they strengthen the workforce and the economy in various ways:

  • Productivity and profits for employers. When workers are supported in overcoming barriers to employment, they are more likely to stay employed, reducing turnover and increasing productivity. This can translate into fewer overhead costs and bigger profit margins for employers.
  • Skills employers and industries need. Supportive career services help to close skill gaps in many industries. Offering holistic support enables individuals to focus on learning the specific skills employers in their industry are seeking, allowing them to jump into a new role with a reduced need for on-the-job training.
  • Stronger local economies. By helping disadvantaged workers gain and maintain employment, wraparound services contribute to reducing poverty and increasing economic mobility. This, in turn, leads to more prosperous communities and a more robust economy. When more people are employed and able to support themselves and their families, there is less strain on public resources, and overall economic health improves.

Wraparound career services are a vital component of workforce development, offering crucial support to job seekers facing significant life challenges while also strengthening the workforce and the economy. All of this ultimately leads to a more equitable and prosperous society, where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Get Supportive Wraparound Career Services at NO COST With JobTrain

You can get the training you need to navigate life better and qualify for many in-demand careers. If you live near Silicon Valley in Northern California, you can contact JobTrain for hands-on career training at NO COST to get started on the path to a high-quality job in the areas of Healthcare, Construction, Information Technology, Building Maintenance/HVAC, and Culinary Arts. You can also set yourself up for professional and personal success with our wide range of supportive services and workshops.

JobTrain is an accredited educational and training institution that transforms lives and communities in Silicon Valley. We help people reclaim their lives by preparing them for successful, sustainable careers in high-demand and emerging fields.

Each of JobTrain’s programs combines vocational training, academics, and essential skills development, preparing students to turn their lives around — from unemployment to success and self-sufficiency. Contact us today to learn more!