PAA's General Office Information Support Assistant (GOISA) program provides 460 hours of classroom instruction in occupational skills and work habits to participants who are motivated to find a fulfilling career in an office environment.
The course lasts 20 weeks (5 days a week, 5 hours a day). All applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. must be authorized to work in the U.S.A.
2. must be 18 years of age or older
3. must live in the City of Chicago
4. have a low or moderate income status*

A person is enrolled when he or she completes the enrollment form provided by Mayor's Office of Workforce Development, submits all required documentation, passes the English test with a score of at least 75%, and income is calculated. The program trains future office assistants in today's most popular computer programs (MS Windows, Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Internet Explorer, Quick Books) and other office skills which include typing, basic bookkeeping and accounting procedures. During the class, students improve their communication skills and command of the English language. They learn standards of office behavior, including dress code; work habits and values; relating to the public, supervisors and other employees.

Students create a resume; learn about job sources and how to fill out a job application. They also participate in a mock job interview. During the training they must pass a test after each part of the covered material. Students receive the textbook and other materials free of charge. Instruction takes place in the computer lab, classroom and in office settings.
Each student has access to a computer and the Internet. We provide placement assistance, which includes teaching job search, job readiness skills, as well as finding jobs for participants and placing them into unsubsidized employment.
We follow up our students' employment after 30, 60, and 90 consecutive days of employment.
Confirmation forms are signed by the employer.

*(Please call: PAA for the current income eligibility figures)