News & Media

From a Dark Past to a Dream Come True

Vernon E. Smith III knows all too well how a difficult past can impact someone’s future. Like many other ex-offenders, the Baltimore native faced many barriers in establishing a career due to a prior criminal record.

“I was turned down for at least 50 or more jobs because of my record,” Vernon said. “I’d receive several calls telling me I have the job and they were just waiting for the background check to come back. But once that happened, I was denied.”

Refusing to give up, Vernon worked hard to better himself and his life. He graduated from trade school and became a certified carpenter. For several years he worked dead-end jobs earning next to nothing. It wasn’t enough to take care of his young son, much less get ahead.

In the fall of 2015, he enrolled in the energy retrofit installer training program at Civic Works’ Baltimore Center for Green Careers, which has received funding through a Labor Department grant to the state of Maryland administered by the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Employment Development. The program provided Vernon with comprehensive occupational and essential skills training in energy efficiency. He earned industry-recognized certifications, completed on-the-job training and received case management support that included job placement services.

It was the right move. After completing the program in 19 weeks, Vernon began work as a salaried residential energy installation technician at a starting wage of $17.30 per hour with a growing regional home performance company, Efficient Home LLC.

“Once I was placed with my company, the heartache and pain went away. It was a dream come true,” he said.

Read the full article here: https://blog.dol.gov/2016/09/15/from-a-dark-past-to-a-dream-come-true/