We don't send employers a list of names. We prepare the pathway first.

BlackMuse's individual workforce-development work extends beyond classroom instruction. Documented records show 10+ DVR/CRP participants moving through referrals, authorized services, career exploration and placement-development activities across 8+ service pathways — informational interviews, job shadows and tours, workplace-readiness training, work-based learning, trial work experiences, OJT and job-placement development.

The model begins with the participant's actual career interest. For one participant interested in networking, IT help desk and server maintenance, BlackMuse's work-based learning plan covered identifying the employer site, helping address transportation, gathering employer feedback and completing a post-experience debrief.

Another participant interested in robotics and technology completed an informational interview with the CEO of Takamori Robot, with follow-up designed to help determine whether robotics remained the right employment direction. BlackMuse sits between the participant, the public agency and the employer — and has worked as part of the Pierce County Pre-ETS team to provide workplace readiness, self-advocacy, work-based learning, community-based assessment and OJT opportunities.