YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Professional Development Center at Flying High Inc., a workforce development organization, placed hundreds of Mahoning Valley residents in jobs during 2023-2024.
Through its integrated workforce services, 301 people were matched with employers and 205 received support services to overcome employment barriers, according to the agency. Flying High’s client services integrate vocational training with case management support, financial support, behavioral health services, job readiness workshops, work acclimation training and job placement services.
The Professional Development Center, Flying High’s state licensed technical school, helped 185 people to earn credentials in basic and advanced welding, fitting/blueprint reading, carpentry, certified nurse aid, CDL and chemical dependency counselor assistant. Additionally, 162 people earned peer support certifications and 888 job readiness and enrichment workshops were completed.
“Flying High is very pleased to provide opportunities for people to make their lives better economically,” says founder and executive director Jeff Magada. “It’s our constant endeavor to improve the quality of opportunities we provide.”
Flying High operates Job Placement Welcome Centers in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. The centers provide area residents the opportunity to meet with case managers to develop a customized employment plan to gain a good paying job with local employers. A third center will be opening in Columbiana in March.