PIKE COUNTY, Mo. — Bruce Nokes has seen the success of a new employment training program offered by the not-for-profit North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC).

The Bowling Green man is one of the first clients participating in Expand Your Employability. The EYE program, as it’s called, helps participants find employment and breaks down barriers people face in getting a job.

“I’ve had two interviews in two weeks,” said Nokes, who has been unemployed for a year. “That’s a pretty good average in my book.”

EYE began in January, and is an expansion of the NECAC SkillUp Program. Participants must meet income guidelines and cannot receive food stamps. Employment Services Coordinator Kirsten White meets with interested clients after they’ve been referred by NECAC County Service Coordinators.

“I try to get a feel of what they’re looking for,” White said. “Is there something they’re interested in that they may not have thought of?”

White directs participants’ focus and steers them toward a suitable career path. It’s a work-at-your-own-pace program. White meets with clients or talks with them when needed, usually every week or two.

“It depends on their situation,” she said. “Most I’ve met with are pretty eager and are ready to get back to work.”

White conducts mock job interviews, helps clients prepare resumes, cover letters and other documentation, and builds a profile on job search websites. Nokes was able to get new clothing through the program.

“The mock interview helped me out,” he said. “It gave me a better insight on how to answer questions pertaining to the job.”

White covers Pike, Marion, Ralls, Lewis and Montgomery counties. Additional NECAC personnel will administer the program in other counties of the agency’s service area. White has seen progress with three EYE clients and two SkillUp participants she’s met with since the first of the year.

“I’m pleased because with every new client you learn something new about the person,” she said. “It’s kind of fun to see it build from the ground up.”

Funding for the programs comes from the federal Community Services Block Grant through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services Family Service Division.

More information about EYE or SkillUp is available by calling White at the NECAC Pike County Service Center, 805 Business Highway 61 North in Bowling Green, at 573-324-2207.