JobTrain is advancing social and economic well-being in our communities by opening pathways to quality careers for people of diverse backgrounds throughout the Bay Area. We teach people the skills they need to find and retain meaningful, rewarding work, and we connect them with the life resources, opportunities, and personal support to propel them forward in life and ensure their prosperity.

What is JobTrain?

JobTrain is a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational and training institution accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Each of JobTrain’s programs combines vocational training, academics, and essential skills development, preparing students to turn their lives around—from unemployment and poverty to success and self-sufficiency. Strong partnerships with employers ensure that students receive the training they need for employment so that businesses can find motivated workers who are well trained for their jobs. Since 1965, JobTrain has been adapting to meet current employment needs. Since its inception, more than 190,000 low-income individuals and their families have benefited from JobTrain’s programs.

JobTrain History

In 1964, Reverend Leon Sullivan started the first OIC Job Training Center in Philadelphia. He enlisted businesses and government organizations to help him train unemployed members of the community. After the students graduated, they were placed in jobs with the businesses who helped train them. It was a win-win – businesses had employees with the most desirable and necessary skills, and students found sustainable and rewarding careers. When Reverend Sullivan told business leaders about his idea, they said, “Oh, I see!” Fittingly, he named his training center OIC as a result.

Meanwhile, across the country, Father John Sweeny was a pastor for an East Palo Alto church. He saw that in contrast to the surrounding towns, East Palo Alto was plagued by high rates of unemployment, poverty, and crime. He wanted to address this disparity and help his community members find and keep worthwhile and well-paying jobs.

Using Reverend Sullivan’s ideas as a model, Father Sweeny recruited more than 300 community and church leaders to help. In 1965, they found an old warehouse at 1100 O’Brien Drive and transformed it into a training and job placement center. The new training center was called “OIC West,” or OICW.

In 1994, OICW moved into its current location at 1200 O’Brien Drive in Menlo Park. The County of San Mateo opened offices on our campus in 1998, and both Cañada College and Sequoia Adult School have joined our campus as well.

In October 2007, we changed our name to JobTrain to increase our outreach to students and potential employers, and to enhance our overall impact in the community. JobTrain remains an affiliate of OIC of America, and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Mission

JobTrain is committed to helping those who are most in need to succeed. Our purpose is to improve the lives of people in our community through assessment, attitude and job skills training, and high potential career placement.

Our Values

At JobTrain we are ONE TEAM that demonstrates LEADERSHIP as we take great care in our COMMUNITY.

Being ONE TEAM encompasses creating an environment and workplace that is inclusive and diverse, and demonstrating compassion and being non-judgemental.

As we are centered in our COMMUNITY, we are committed and embedded in our community and are responsive to clients’ needs and our services are client focused.

JobTrain embraces its LEADERSHIP role by being innovative, accountable and results oriented, and championing relationships and partnerships.

Commitment To Students

SCHOOLWIDE STUDENT OUTCOMES – JobTrain is committed to providing students with the proper training that ensure:

Students will demonstrate the academic and vocational skills required to obtain an entry level position in their field.
Students will demonstrate the positive attitude and work habits necessary for job success.
Students will demonstrate the creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills required in their job field and to make a positive contribution to their community.
Students will demonstrate understanding of the career ladder in their field and how to progress from an entry level job to more responsible positions.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness and Belonging

JobTrain is committed to assessing our programs, services, and policies for alignment with our organizational values and goals, ensuring that what we do and how we do it positively impacts our workplace and the communities we serve and advances diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.