Vocational Training

The Altamont Program (the vocational arm of PYHIT) offers a forty hour pre-employment course called "Action for Personal Choice". Participants are encouraged to take control and responsibility for their lives. This program provides clients with practice in skills they need to achieve in the workplace and their personal lives.

This program is funded through the NYS Department of Education, Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (ACCES-VR). The goal of the vocational program is to establish job training, life skills, and interviewing techniques that result in meeting the needs of clients who suffer from the disease of addiction. The program is housed in three locations: the Schuyler Inn in Menands, LeMoyne Manor in Syracuse, and the Computer School in Albany. The two hotels are also commercial facilities, and provide both classroom and on-the-job training in culinary arts, hotel/restaurant operations, building maintenance, and computer applications.

The "fast track", job placement service for VESID builds upon job skills that an individual has demonstrated and provides employment opportunities in a variety of occupations. In addition, we have a contract with VESID to provide vocational training for Rikers Island enrollees.

Pre-employment also includes Adult Basic Education services. See below for more information.

Pre-Employment Activities

• Resume writing
• Job search strategies
• Using technology
• Using the Department of Labor
• Interviewing techniques
• Appropriate attire and hygiene

Guest speakers

Guest speakers often give speeches in our workshops, topics include: The Hidden Job Market, Financial Aid For School, Financial Aid For School, Certificate of Release, Certificate of Good Conduct, Questions An Employer Can and Cannot Ask, Ex-Offender Rights, Bonding For Employment, Dressing For Success, and Communication Skills.

Vocational Courses

• Culinary Arts
  offers introductory and apprenticeship curriculum; includes menu planning, sanitation, regulations, nutrition, and all phases of food preparation
• Hospitality
  offers front desk operation, night audit, maintenance, banquet services, housekeeping, and computer training
• Computer Class
  teaches the basics of computer hardware and peripherals, operating systems (Windows), the Internet, and application software such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and typing
• Warehouse Management and Operations
  a specialized group of courses offered through the New York City Clothing Bank which is operated for the city of NYC by PYHIT

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Licensed by NYS DOE ProprietarySchools in Albany, NY.

Culinary Arts:

• Intake interview
• 360 hours of classroom study, practical experience, food prep
• Classes are offered 6 days a week
• Fully funded by NYS ACCES-VR
• Uniforms provided
  

Hotel Operations:

• Intake interview
• 360 hours of classroom theory, supervised on-the-job training
• Covers housekeeping, food & beverage, and front desk
• Rolling Enrollment
• Classes offered 6 days a week
• Fully funded by NYS ACCESS-VR
• Uniforms provided

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Post Employment Services

Post employment services are provided by our job developer. The Job Developer promotes and develops employment and provides follow-up on the participant's job performance with the employer.

We have established a Job Support Group for participants who are experiencing difficulty with employment. Participation is self-initiated. The Job Developer may encourage participation based on negative feedback by the employer. Job Holding and Advancing Skills are discussed.

Post-Employment Services Include:

• Positive work habits
• Behavior patterns
• Attitudes
  
• Problem-solving skills
  
• Effective communication
  
• Utilization of teamwork
  
• Money management
  
• Time management