Last week at a Resources Fair I learned about JobTrain, where people can develop skills in:

• Carpentry

• Building Maintenance/HVAC

• Property Management

• Culinary Arts

• Medical Assistant

• Certified Nursing Assistant

• IT Support & Services

• Advanced IT (Python)

By completing these types of certificate programs, people are empowered to access living wages and embark on a career rather than a minimum-wage job. JobTrain's services are open to anyone, and their career center offers services like resume writing, mock interviewing, job application/search assistance, and other supportive services. Santa Clara County also offers job training that's open to residents of the county over 18.

For those entering the workspace and seeking a minimum-wage job, I asked Chat GPT for a list of the top 40 minimum-wage jobs - here’s what Chat GPT said:

Retail and Sales

1. Cashier

2. Retail Sales Associate

3. Store Clerk

4. Stock Clerk

5. Customer Service Representative

6. Grocery Bagger

7. Seasonal Retail Worker

8. Retail Stock Associate

Food Service and Hospitality

9. Fast Food Worker

10. Waiter/Waitress

11. Dishwasher

12. Host/Hostess

13. Busser

14. Barista

15. Cook (Fast Food)

16. Food Preparation Worker or Line Cook

17. Counter Attendant (Cafeteria/Food Concession)

18. Kitchen Helper

19. Hotel Housekeeper

20. Hotel Front Desk Clerk

Cleaning and Maintenance

21. Janitor/Custodian

22. Housekeeper or Maid

23. Groundskeeper

24. Cleaning Crew Member

25. Laundry Attendant

Personal Care and Services

26. Home Health Aide

27. Personal Care Aide

28. Childcare Worker

Entertainment and Recreation

29. Amusement Park Worker

30. Movie Theater Usher

31. Recreation Attendant

32. Event Staff

Transportation and Warehousing

33. Package Handler

34. Warehouse Worker

35. Delivery Driver (for small packages)

36. Recycling Worker

Additional Jobs

37. Gas Station Attendant

38. Car Wash Attendant

39. Parking Lot Attendant

40. Pet Groomer Assistant

Next, I thought about the diverse levels of ability of the clients that I meet. I worked with ChatGPT to think about whether any of the jobs could be done by sitting all day. We only thought of one job!

Jobs that Require High Mobility

• Janitor/Custodian

• Groundskeeper

• Cleaning Crew Member

• Package Handler

• Warehouse Worker

• Delivery Driver (for small packages)

• Recycling Worker

• Car Wash Attendant

• Kitchen Helper

• Fast Food Worker

• Waiter/Waitress

• Host/Hostess

• Busser

• Hotel Housekeeper

• Movie Theater Usher

• Recreation Attendant

• Laundry Attendant

• Housekeeper or Maid

• Home Health Aide

• Personal Care Aide

• Childcare Worker

• Pet Groomer Assistant

Jobs that Predominantly Require Standing Up

• Cashier

• Retail Sales Associate

• Store Clerk

• Stock Clerk

• Grocery Bagger

• Seasonal Retail Worker

• Retail Stock Associate

• Barista

• Cook (Fast Food)

• Food Preparation Worker or Line Cook

• Counter Attendant (Cafeteria/Food Concession)

• Hotel Front Desk Clerk

• Dishwasher

• Event Staff

Jobs That May Allow Sitting

• Customer Service Representative

• Gas Station Attendant

• Parking Lot Attendant

• Amusement Park Worker

I also met with the Downtown Streets team. I learned that it’s a 1-month wait list to join their program, and they currently pay above minimum wage. It starts with 2 days of work per week. As a candidate gains trust with the organization, they become eligible for more hours.

Additionally, the other day, I took this flyer from the Parole office in Santa Clara County when I was exploring re-entry from prison: