SERVE Act bringing new vocational opportunities to Marylanders, hosts needed

EASTON, Md. – State and local community members came together Wednesday to see how they can come together and provide vocational opportunities for future generations.

“That everyone’s aware of this pathway where people can find their fit in life through a year of full-time service to get back to the community and also figure out the skills in the interest that align with some vocation,” said Paul Monteiro, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation.

The Serve Act, Serving Every Region Through Vocational Education makes new programming possible. Highlighting and creating opportunities that already exist in Maryland to better support young adults’ next steps. “More than 15,000 graduate every year not reporting college military or job, is so we want to make sure that they know there’s a pathway where they can spend a year in full-time service giving back to the state giving back to the community even as they figure out what location or field of study they want to pursue in higher education,” said Monteiro.

The program offers two options, the Maryland Corp or the Service Year option made possible in partnership with local organizations. In Talbot County, they’re seeing the need for workforce help firsthand. “Many of our employers from the smallest business to our larger manufacturers need more employees and this is a way to help them recruit new employees then that’s what they need to know about it’s a great new program we’re excited to bring over the information,” said Cassandra Vanhooser, Director, Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

And when it comes to vocational opportunities in Talbot County, the job pool is endless. “It really depends on the individual employer so we have employers who are here from salons employers who are here from larger manufacturers so we have a wide range of employers who have shown up today to learn about these programs so they can again choose to offer them to their employees,” said Vanhooser.

The application process is open and the second cohort begins in September. Salaries for these jobs start at $15 and at the completion of the program, students will be awarded $6,000.

You can view the application on the state’s website.