The expo featured over 20 training and resource providers offering no-cost training programs in high-demand industries.
The Office of Community and Civic Engagement’s (OCCE) UMB Workforce Initiatives program, with its partners, Baltimore’s Promise and Safe Streets Franklin Square, held a Career Training Expo in the Southwest Baltimore community Aug. 26.
The event brought together more than 100 community members at The Factory to explore free career training opportunities and showcased UMB’s unique role in spearheading collaboration with local nonprofits to support youth-directed workforce development.
The expo featured over 20 training and resource providers offering no-cost training programs in high-demand industries. Attendees participated in workshops every 20 minutes, led by experts from UMB Workforce Initiatives. The event also had a live DJ and easy access via public transit and street parking.
Lamont Washington from the CASH Campaign of Maryland based at the UMB Community Engagement Center (CEC) participated in the event as a resource provider. He thought the event was valuable, saying, “The participants were excited about the resources and were willing to learn more.”
Similarly, CEC neighbor Diana Geis, who volunteered, said, “It was nice to see people of all ages.”
The enthusiasm of the training organizations and the attendees was something that struck UMB Human Resources senior recruiter Mariyette Williams, who helped sign in attendees. She noted, ”The vendors were very welcoming, and the atmosphere gave a great feeling. So many young individuals show interest in bettering themselves and actively engaging!"
Brian Sturdivant, MSW, director, strategic initiatives and community partnerships, OCCE, who also volunteered at the event, was particularly glad because the event targeted people from 18 to 24 years old. “I was enthused to see so many of our young neighbors come out seeking information! There’s obviously a thirst for information on training programs available,” he said.
Addressing this thirst is why another CEC-based community partner, Leezette Bethea from United Way of Central Maryland, finds the collaboration so valuable, seeing this event and the partnership as “leveraging community resources to address community-identified needs.”
Perhaps the best feedback came from attendees like Moshea Lomax, who shared, “It was a great experience! My first time going to one. There were many training providers to choose from. Great people, music, and great information. I recommend others to try it out.”
Training providers included:
- Baltimore's Promise: Grads2Careers/CareerBound Program
- Biotechnical Institute of Maryland: Biotech workforce training and adult basic education
- Civic Works: Utility infrastructure and solar panel installation
- Elocin Global Logistics: CDL Class A/B Training
- Groundwork Kitchen: Free culinary training
- JARC Baltimore: CNC machining and welding training
- Lifebridge Health's VSP: On-the-job training for nonclinical hospital roles
- Mindful Pivots: Phlebotomy training/certification
- NPower: Tuition-free IT career training
- Per Scholas: IT tech training
- Community College of Baltimore County: Free training in construction, CDL, medical front office, and more
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Digital literacy training
- Urban Alliance Baltimore: Property management program
- Vehicles for Change— Full Circle Auto Training Center: Automotive repair training
Resource providers included:
- CASH Campaign of Maryland: Financial education, benefits screening, coaching, and free tax prep
- United Way of Central Maryland: Information on Baltimore’s 211 line and financial assistance programs
- The Y of Central Maryland: Food access and community support programs
The event was a powerful demonstration of OCCE’s commitment to collaboration and our community’s economic mobility. The office thanks our co-sponsors, Baltimore’s Promise and Safe Streets Franklin Square, as well as the vendors, volunteers, and staff at The Factory, the West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation’s event space five blocks west of the Community Engagement Center.