The Transitional Jobs model seeks to overcome these barriers by providing individuals with a wage-paying, short-term job that combines real work, skills development, and supportive services to successfully transition participants into the labor market.

By working in a subsidized, Transitional Job for three to twelve months, participants earn a paycheck, learn technical skills for higher wage jobs, become eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, and receive intensive mentoring and support. This Transitional Job is the first step toward permanent employment and economic opportunity.

Note: In the past, Transitional Jobs have also been referred to as public service jobs, community service jobs, and publicly funded employment.

• Click here to view the core Program Design Elements of Transitional Jobs programs.
• Click here to view the different types of Transitional Jobs program models.

Transitional Jobs Work

Transitional Jobs work for job seekers!
The Transitional Jobs strategy builds employment opportunities for every worker. Transitional Jobs is the only employment strategy that begins with the premise that everyone can work. Across the country Transitional Jobs programs are effectively meeting the employment needs of people with barriers to labor market entry with the unique and effective combination of wage-paid, real work, skill development, and supportive services that promotes successful transition into the labor market and a stepping stone to self-sufficiency for all workers. Today, Transitional Jobs programs are making employment a reality for workers in over 30 states around the country. Together we are building employment opportunities for workers that have been left behind.

Transitional Jobs work for employers!
Transitional Jobs programs serve as a pipeline to fill the jobs of today and the future. Across the country, communities are increasingly aware of the demographic shifts that are decreasing their ready workforce. The combination of retiring workers, youth, and young adults who do not have skills to be competitive in the labor market, and the growing numbers of individuals with criminal records all with barriers to labor-market entry have forced a new awareness of labor market shortages to fill today’s jobs and tomorrow’s potential careers. Transitional Jobs is the strategy that readies the current workforce, regardless of barriers, for today’s employer partners and tomorrow’s new industries. Together we are building opportunities for every employer.

Transitional Jobs work for communities!
Transitional Jobs programs strengthen communities through investments in people. People are the building blocks of communities. Transitional Jobs programs invest in people by building a productive workforce that contributes to the social and economic livelihood of communities. Across the country Transitional Jobs programs are investing in communities through an employment solution that creates pathways out of poverty for hundreds of people with barriers to employment. Together we are building communities by lifting up people.