Trade Academy is an innovative, groundbreaking project where people with special needs define, create and manage a business to generate income for their livelihood and independence. Trade Academy is under the umbrella of Blake’s House of Independence (BHI) and built from the ground up through the determination and goals of the participants.
The vision and plans of Trade Academy was created by Jamita Martin, CEO of BHI. Trade Academy is a consortium of individual, self sustaining businesses such as computer repair, jewelry repair, café, office services with copying and faxing. For more information, please contact Ms. Jamita Martin at Blake’s House of Independence.
BHI Services include:
- Work Evaluation:
Our trainers and case managers evaluate an individual’s strengths and assess their performance, needs and abilities. A job training and career path is then customized based on the individual’s strengths and goals. - Supported Employment:
Our trainers and case managers develop and implement a job search plan to obtain competitive employment in an integrated community setting that is based on the individual’s strengths, preferences, abilities, and needs. - Transportation:
We provide transportation for our clients to attend our training center and also to go on job interviews as well as to and from work, for private pay only. - Customize Employment:
Individualizing the employment relationship between employees and employers in ways that meet the needs of both. “Customized” implies that the work experiences are created, carved or negotiated for the individual client based upon their needs, strengths and interests. - Community Work Adjustment:
Assisting the client in developing or re-establishing acceptable work habits and behaviors at a work site that is integrated in the community in order to obtain/or retain employment. - Personal & Social Adjustment:
Helping clients to achieve socially responsible behavior, independence, problem-solving skills, effective communication skills, and good interpersonal skills. - Job Readiness Training:
Preparing our clients to get, keep and excel at a new job, utilizing basic employability skills which include effective communication, problem solving, resume building, and interviewing. - Job Coaching:
Training by an approved specialist to help the employee learn to perform job tasks to the employer’s specifications and to learn the interpersonal skills necessary to maintain employment. Job coaching includes related assessment, job development, counseling, advocacy, and other services, as needed.
Job Placement
BHI is three times more effective at placing people with disabilities than the national average.
- 70% success rate in job placement.
- Average time to secure a position is 1-3 months depending on the required training.
- Ability to train client and identify transferable skills.
- Effective diligence on job skills matching.
- BHI has quality Job Coaches, Job Counselors and Employment Specialist with individuals having 5+ years experience in their field.
Have built trust with hiring sources. Partnerships with:
- Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)
- Woodstock Furniture Outlet
- TGIF
- McDonalds
- Walmart
- Kroger
- Belk
- TJ Maxx
- Sun Trust Stadium Restaurants
- Georgia Tech Security
- Lithonia Middle School
- Toys”R”Us
- Freedom Electronics
- Arnold’s Landscaping
- RGIS, LLC (Retail Inventory Grocery Service)
- Save-A-Lot
- Publix
- AMC Theaters
- Cabela’s