Step-Up hiring in Hartford

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra hosted a breakfast Wednesday morning to encourage hiring efforts for Hartford residents.

The event is a partnership between the City of Hartford and the state's Subsidized Training and Employment Program or the Step-Up initiative.

"I'm very encouraged that we'll get some more Hartford residents hired through the program after this event," said Tiana Hercules, Mayoral Assistant.

The City of Hartford is putting its money where its mouth is with what's called the "Step-Up" program.

"Step-Up is a subsized wage program that helps businesses," said Monica Cox, Step-Up specialist, "kind of giving small businesses incentives for hiring unemployed residents of certain towns."

As much as $20 per work hour, for the first six months of employment.

"And then it kind of gradually decreases after that point, and the expectation, or the hope, is that after a year's time that employer will take that employee on full-time," Hercules said.

Softening the risk for employers, and getting locals back to work. Step-Up also targets linking veterans and employers. The City touting the program with a breakfast at the Ramada Inn Wednesday morning.

"So far, we got 50 people hired in the year that Step-Up has started in Hartford alone, and there were a lot of businesses here that support the program," said Hercules.

The folks with the Step-Up program say it's a win-win-win. In fact, really, there's nothing to lose.

"They're basically there for you, you don't have to go ahead and pay for them to be on board," said Virginia Padin, Latino Community Services. "It's something that's rewarding, not only for the Step-Up program, but it's also rewarding for the employer in hiring these people."

That simple. In fact, for eligible employers, we're told, the application process is smooth and quick.  For program and contact information click here .