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Power PJSI | Facts & Figures | How it Works | Program Enhancements

Project JumpStart is Powered By You

Whether you are a grantor, an annual sponsor, someone who donates money or time, or an organization committed to Impact Project JumpStart, we are humbled by your generosity and commitment to PJSI’s mission. Every contribution, no matter the size, directly supports our efforts to improve lives while strengthening the region’s pipeline of skilled talent.

It's easy to see how helping people develop skills allows them to earn higher wages, contribute more in taxes, increase their purchasing power, invest in their futures, and pass wealth on to future generations. This, in turn, strengthens our businesses, communities, and overall economy.

PJSI offers Project JumpStart training at no cost to students, and we rely entirely on the support of our contributors to:

Reach the goal of holding six classes annually across the city, recruiting, assessing, and enrolling 132 students;
Provide 87 hours of class time with a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio;
Provide Instructor preparation time;
Build trusted relationships with employers to place graduates into high-earning career paths;
Manage, track, and report on outcomes;
Cover essential back-office operations to ensure the smooth running of our program;
Purchase classroom and building construction material;
Fund a free set of starter tools for PJSI graduates once they are placed in employment.

Your support makes this impact possible.

Our Impact

Project JumpStart's Track Record

1000+

Baltimore Residents Have Been Enrolled

80%

Of Students Graduate

75%+

Of Graduates Have Been Placed Into high Wage Construction Careers

150+

Graduates Have Started a Formal 4-Year Apprenticeship

150

Different Employers Have Hired JumpStart Graduates

50+

Employers Have Hired more than One Graduate

Corporate Sponsorship Options

Learn More About PJSI

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Meet Our Proud Graduates

Why PJSI Is Worth Your Investment

Smart investors prioritize positive long-term outcomes, and so do we. At PJSI, our focus isn’t on the number of applicants or enrolled students. Instead, we dedicate our energy and resources to equipping individuals with the skills they need while addressing the barriers to their success. Our goal is to help them secure and sustain employment, laying the foundation for lifelong career growth. The result is a stronger talent pipeline for regional employers, alongside improvements in the economy, strengthening individuals and their families, and boosting the overall well-being of the community.

Employer Connected

Project JumpStart is designed to meet employers' workforce needs. Our industry-expert-reviewed curriculum is taught by experienced instructors with field knowledge, some of whom are even former Project JumpStart graduates. Backed by a leadership team with deep construction experience and a strong industry network, PJSI stays relevant and impactful. With direct employer connections, our placement process provides job opportunities, overcoming a common barrier for community programs.

Well-Rounded

Employer Centric Curriculum with Employee Focused Career Placement. The Community Partner model enables PJSI to focus on our core strengths—training, job preparation, and placement—while leveraging the expertise of our partners for personalized case management, ensuring comprehensive support for our students. The program is further strengthened by employer guides to help front-line supervisors integrate graduates into their corporate cultures, financial literacy and workplace readiness training for students, and robust systems for tracking and managing program success.

Proven

In our two decades in Baltimore, many programs have tried to replicate our work, but none have matched our level of service, commitment, and balance between supporting both students and employers. True long-term success is only possible by honoring the needs of both.

Team

Diverse in skill and experience, subject matter expertise across the industry, small-but-mighty, are all ways to describe the talented team at PJSI. Learn more about us.

The Future Is Bright

Since PJSI was formed in 2022 and gained autonomy, we have been working tirelessly to improve our programming to increase positive outcomes for students and employers. We continue to review our practices and implement changes, both small and large, that are proving to have a significant impact on our students’ success.

More Dedicated Resources

Doing More with More! PJSI is poised for significant growth. While our team remains small but powerful, the additional staff capacity along with the implementation of new systems and standards has enhanced our ability to meet the diverse needs of our clients. With these improvements, team members can now effectively allocate time for critical activities such as job placements, employer relationship building, onboarding support, communications, and program development.

Program Enhancements

PJSI has adopted a more consistent approach to professional preparation, which includes resume creation, LinkedIn profile setup, and personalized goal setting. Additionally, we’ve partnered with a local driver’s education program to help remove the barrier of license obtainment, a common requirement for many employers.

Formalization of Procedures

While PJSI is dedicated to providing opportunities for un- and under-employed Baltimoreans, we recognize the importance of enrolling only those ready to take on the next level of career development. Our robust assessment process helps to identify candidates to enroll as well as those in need of remedial support to better prepare them. Additionally, PJSI is strengthening our processes by reviewing, standardizing and documenting all of process and procedures to ensure consistency, effectiveness and long-lasting outcomes for students, alumni, employers, and supporters.

Consistent Communications

Philosopher George Berkeley famously asked, "If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound?" This reminds us that creating effective programming is not enough—we must also communicate it to maximize its impact. To enhance our outreach to students, employers, and the community, we are leveraging technology in innovative ways:

Student Chats: Building an online community for each class and all graduates.
Social Media: Sharing success stories and key information.
Newsletter: Keeping our extensive network informed and connected.
One-on-One Employer Meetings: Opening communication channels to address challenges and celebrate successes.
New Website: Serving as the cornerstone of our communications.

Employer Engagement Luncheons: Bringing in new employers and fostering connections.

Employer Support

When hiring a Project JumpStart graduate, employers not only gain a skilled, work-ready employee but also receive ongoing support from the PJSI team to ensure successful integration into the workplace.

Employer and Employee Guidebooks: Comprehensive resources to assist both parties with onboarding and workplace adjustment.
Designated PJSI Contact: A dedicated point of contact to provide personalized support and address any concerns.

Engaged PJSI Leadership: Active involvement from PJSI leadership to foster strong partnerships and smooth transitions.

Robust Alumni Experience

Achieving long-term success requires more than just basic training. At PJSI, we are committed to supporting our alumni well beyond graduation.

Employer Placement Support: We provide placement assistance at graduation and throughout alumni careers. Whenever they are in transition, alumni can reach out for introductions to employers and leads on opportunities.
Alumni Web Page: Our alumni web page helps graduates stay connected with PJSI and receive updates on new opportunities and support as they become available.

Employee Guidebooks: Upon placement, graduates receive Employee Guidebooks, which help them prepare for workplace life and reinforce the lessons learned during their training.