SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (SCSEP) UNDERSTANDING SCSEP JOB DEVELOPMENT PART I

Transcription

1 SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (SCSEP) UNDERSTANDING SCSEP JOB DEVELOPMENT PART I Why Participants Need Job Developers Materials used in this document have been collected over time from various individuals, organizations, and other resources and may not be original content of staff from Senior Service America Inc.

2 SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (SCSEP) UNDERSTANDING SCSEP JOB DEVELOPMENT INTRODUCTION With unemployment of older adults at an all time high, there has never been a greater need for job developers for SCSEP participants. Because most of our participants really need jobs but face significant barriers to employment, they look to the SCSEP program for assistance with job training and unsubsidized placements to help them achieve selfsufficiency. Job development is then critical to participants who desire jobs to help them attain a higher quality of life. Job development is not an exact science. To be effective, staff charged with this responsibility must engage in a range of activities prior to, during, and even after placing a participant with an employer. The SCSEP program requires unsubsidized placement goals which, though difficult, must be achieved. This document is the first of three modules developed by the SCSEP staff of SSAI to provide SCSEP job developers with tips, tools, and strategies to support a proactive approach to creating employment opportunities for SCSEP participants in your communities. These modules address coaching, job development and job search practices that all successful job developers should follow. The information included in these modules is a compilation of methods, ideas, and concepts gathered by several SSAI SCSEP staff along with successful strategies that they have applied in their work with the SCSEP program. These tools will serve as a guide to help job developers take a proactive and person-centered approach to creating employment opportunities.

3 Understanding SCSEP Job Development Training for SCSEP Staff and Participant Job Developers Developed by Staff of Senior Service America, Inc.

4 Unsubsidized Placements Key Activities Job Searches Coaching and/or Job Readiness Training Job Placement Post Placement Follow-up Job Development (focus of this presentation)

5 Why Job Developers? One of the multiple missions of SCSEP is to foster economic self-sufficiency. SSAI is able to accomplish this mission with the help of Job Developers for our SCSEP participants.

6 What is Job Development? Job Development -- identifying job openings for SCSEP participants through direct contact with employers. Job Development building employer relationships so that the SCSEP program is their first call when they have human capital needs. Job Development -- supplements and enhances activities or services provided by SCSEP staff or available to the general public in the workforce centers.

7 Job Developer Responsibilities A successful job developer will: Establish and maintain activities that develop, locate, and secure job openings for SCSEP participants; and Initiate and maintain ongoing personal contacts with a variety of business and industry representatives and job placement/training agencies to promote SCSEP programs for participant placement;

8 Job Developer Responsibilities A successful job developer will: Learn the language, needs, and culture of employers to make appropriate participant referrals; Explain the benefits and employment support services provided by programs to employers, including addressing employer s special needs; and Develop job leads through cold calls to potential employers and through research in newspapers and other resources.

9 Job Developer Responsibilities A successful job developer will: Locate jobs for participants who have successfully completed training programs; Collect data from employers related to job orders including job requirements and skills; Match job skills with participant qualifications; Refer qualified applicants to employers and conduct necessary follow-up when applicants are placed in positions; Keep updated regarding job fairs and Internet resources; and Participate in outreach and recruitment activities by coordinating and attending job fairs.

10 Why participants need you: There are 3 common reasons job seekers are unable to find their own jobs: 1. Visible employment barriers; 2. Unable to practice effective job search skills; and/or 3. Poor local employment conditions no jobs or limited jobs available.

11 So Who Needs Job Development? Assess participants for motivation, then categorize them. Three broad category profiles: 1. Self-directed participants - A Group; 2. Assisted job placement candidates with visible barriers - B Group; and 3. Assisted job placement candidates with visible barriers and limited skills - C Group

12 We Generate Employer Resistance We sell rather than build a relationship. We demonstrate limited knowledge of employers business focus, needs, and language. We oversell we promise more than can be delivered which leads to failed expectations, e.g. selling to soon, talking too much, too early, and when its not our turn. We don t conduct adequate follow-up services after initial meeting with the employer.

13 UNDERSTANDING JOB DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES FOR PART I 1. JOB READY PARTICIPANT TABLES 2. INDICATORS TO IDENTIFY JOB READY PARTICIPANTS

14 SCSEP Participant Job Ready Table No. Participant Name IEP Updated Yes or No Unsubsidized Job Interest Resumes Created/Updated Yes or No Interview Prep Yes or No Job Leads *Possibility of Hire being negotiated Current HA Assignment Title Enter Payroll Period from Project Performance Plan Triage Group A, B or C Triage Group A Most Job Ready by October 30, 2010 B Most Job Ready by December 31, 2010 C Most Job Ready by February 28,

15 SCSEP Participant Job Ready Table No. Participant Name IEP Updated Yes or No Unsubsidized Job Interest Resumes Created/Updated Yes or No Interview Prep Yes or No Job Leads *Possibility of Hire being negotiated Current HA Assignment Title Enter Payroll Period from Project Performance Plan Triage Group A, B or C Triage Group D Most Job Ready by October 30, 2010 E Most Job Ready by December 31, 2010 F Most Job Ready by February 28,

16 INDICATORS TO IDENTIFY JOB READY PARTICIPANTS The checklist contains 38 items, organized under12 categories. Once you have gotten to know your participant, this form takes only a few minutes to complete. Note: you can work with this tool either at the initial meeting with the participant and/or over a period of weeks/months. The time frame in which the checklist is completed is not important. Each item is described in three (3) ways, reflecting low, medium or high barrier conditions. To determine a participant s level of employment barrier, simply check all observations and participant reports that apply and count the number of observations that fall under low, medium or high barrier conditions. The barrier condition under which most observations fall indicates the overall level of employment barriers being experienced by the participant, i.e., their job readiness. Use your professional discretion to make the distinction between low vs. medium or medium vs. high. Participant Barriers and Job Readiness Indicators AGE Low or No Barrier Medium Barrier High Barrier Age is not a barrier Age = Age is moderate barrier Age = Age is high barrier Age = Goal Setting Low or No Barrier Medium Barrier High Barrier Developed IEP Completed IEP aligned appropriately with participant s goals IEP lacks clearly defined employment goals IEP employment goals not identified or are vague Vocational/Employment Goal Setting Participant clearly identifies employment goal aligned to education and training experience Participant lacks clarity on employment goals, can t decide, or employment goals appear unrealistic Participant unable to identify a main employment interest or goal 3

17 Marketability of Skills Low or No Barrier Medium Barrier High Barrier Number of Demonstrated Abilities/Skills Several marketable abilities/skills with most demonstrated in previous training, employment or volunteer setting Several marketable abilities/skills with limited previous demonstration or additional training required to improve marketability Few reported marketable abilities/skills and few demonstrated through training, employment or volunteer settings Local Job Market Demand Demand for participant s abilities/skills is high and stable Local demand for participant s abilities/skills is low to moderate and stable Local demand for participant s abilities/skills is very low or declining Transferability of Demonstrated Abilities/Skills Nearly complete transferability to current employment goal Partial transferability to current employment goal or transferable with limited training/work experience Little or no transferability to current employment goal. Basic Skills Low or No Barrier Medium Barrier High Barrier Literacy Participant can read and write English at a highschool level Participant can read and write English at a public school level; has some difficulty writing and spelling Participant cannot read or write English or reading limited to simple words or sentences Language Participant speaks English well or is fluent Participant can express and understand basic, everyday English communications (instructions/simple conversations, etc.) Participant unable to have English conversation without an interpreter or able to express and understand only basic words and phrases Skill with Numbers Participant reports no difficulty in basic arithmetic Participant reports some difficulty with basic arithmetic Participant reports considerable difficulty with basic arithmetic 4

18 Education & Training Low or No Barrier Medium Barrier High Barrier Formal Education Possesses a high school diploma or has finished some college Less than high school completed Less than public school (8 th grade or equivalent) completed Skills Training Successful Community Service relevant training completed or more than ½ requirements of skills completed for required position skills Has half or less remaining to complete relevant skills training for selected job goal. Little to no relevant training for position requirements or license for selected job goal Recognition of Training/Education Employers/licensing body recognize or value training, certification or credential Training or education of moderate value to employers or licensing body decision waiting Training or education not recognized or valued by employers/licensing body Employment History Low or No Barrier Medium Barrier High Barrier Extent of Employment History Recent history of two (2) years FT, PT or self employment Less than two (2) years recent history of FT, PT or self employment No work history Employment Stability Work history shows few short job placements and appropriate range of variety in job categories Work history shows mix of long and short term job stays at a variety of jobs Work history shows many short job stays and frequent job changes across unrelated job categories Employment Termination Causes Reports never dismissed, reasons for job change was for advancement or lay off or similar circumstance Reports mix of dismissal, quitting and lay offs Reports dismissal/ firing often reason for work ending 5

19 Job Search Low or No Barrier Medium Barrier High Barrier Application, Resume and Cover Letter Effective resume and cover letter prepared; or, employment goal does not require resume No resume or current resume inadequate; or no cover letter or adequate cover letter Participant has difficulty completing a standard job application without assistance Employment References Employment references and/or reference letter strongly endorse participant Has appropriate work references and/or letter of reference No reliable personal or work references or can not obtain them Job Interview Skills Participant presents well, points out personal and work strengths Has some difficulty pointing out personal strengths relevant to employment goal; appears to have difficulties presenting self well Has difficulty expressing personal strengths or presenting appropriately; reports negative experiences in job interviews or employer cold calls Self Marketing Experience and Skills Prior job seeking experience is adequate as far as strategy, time invested, or breadth; and/or participant realistically estimates own marketable skills and the extent of market competition for employment Prior job seeking experience limited; participant under or over estimates own marketable skills or extent of job market competitiveness for desired job goal No prior job seeking experience; and/or, unaware of appropriate or most effective job seeking strategies; and/or unable to identify own marketable skills relevant to job goal Motivation and Self Esteem Low or No Barrier Medium Barrier High Barrier Optimism and Self esteem Reports a moderate to high likelihood of overcoming most employment barriers and holds high self esteem Reports mix of low and moderate likelihood of overcoming employment barriers in a variety of areas and mixed or modest levels of self esteem Reports little or no hope of overcoming employment barriers in all or most areas and reports barriers have lead to significant low selfesteem Perseverance Reports in last year, significant self started activities with most or all employment barriers Reports in last year, sporadic self started activities to overcome some but not all employment barriers Participant unable to report any self started activities to overcome employment barriers in past year 6

20 Material Supports and Needs Low or No Barrier Medium Barrier High Barrier Living Conditions Reports adequate living conditions Reports difficult living conditions (e.g. overcrowded, noisy, rent too high) that may interfere to some extent with employment Reports housing is unsafe, unsanitary or other conditions that seriously interfere with focus on employment Residence Reports a permanent address Reports living in a nonemergency transitional residence (e.g. halfway house) or living temporarily at an address Reports living in an emergency or institutional setting (e.g. shelter, hospital, correctional setting) or reports no fixed address/is homeless or facing eviction Transportation Reports adequate service by public transit, or personal vehicle or access to vehicle and has valid license Reports poorly serviced by public transit; and/or access to private transportation is unreliable Reports no access to public transit and/or insufficient funds to use transit; no means of private transportation available; lacks a valid driver s license Dependant Care Reports satisfactory dependant care; or care is available and accessible; or is not required Reports satisfactory care is needed and available but is not immediately accessible (e.g. waiting list) Care is unsuitable and/or unreliable; satisfactory care is unavailable or inaccessible; or dependants require intense care or supervision Telephone Participant has a home or cell phone Lacks a home or cell phone but has a reliable message system Lacks a home or cell phone and reliable message system; message receipt requires delay Financial Status Reports current finances adequate to meet current living and debt expenses Financial support does not meet current living and debt expense with resulting increase in debt load Financial resources completely inadequate to meet living costs with debt load at or near limit 7

21 Psycho Social Supports Low or No Barrier Medium Barrier High Barrier Family Responsibilities Low degree of family responsibility (e.g. no dependents/not directly involved in care of extended members) Moderate degree of family responsibility (e.g. 1 3 dependents under 16 years; and/or semi involved in family care) High degree of family responsibility (e.g. 4 or more dependents under 16 years; and/or primary point of care for family members) Family Support Reports no ongoing family difficulties; a stable family environment and at least moderate emotional support Reports long or short term family difficulties that do not prevent but may hinder job seeking and/or job keeping; or receives little family support Reports long or short term family difficulties that prevent active job seeking until resolved (e.g. divorce pending) Social Support (outside home) Participant reports ongoing support for job search from neighborhood, community, friends and or acquaintances Reports little or no contact or support from groups outside of friends who are neither supportive or nonsupportive Reports no social support network outside of services offered by professionals; and/or reports negative peer influence 8

22 Health Low or No Barrier Medium Barrier High Barrier Family (General health) Reports no serious family health problems Reports family health problems under control that are of concern and occasionally require attention Reports one or more family members has serious physical condition requiring frequent assistance or a serious emotional problem that requires participant s attention Participant (Physical health) Reports health challenges under control through special precautions, medication, etc that do not restrict type or length of physical exertion Reports health problems under control through special precautions, medication, etc. that may restrict type or length of physical exertion Reports one or more physical health problem requiring frequent and/or time consuming medical visits; and/or one or more health problems that severely restrict type and length of physical exertion Participant (Emotional health) Reports emotional difficulties under control; and/or medication appears not to interfere with functioning; and/or no emotional difficulties Reports emotional difficulties, although under periodic care, are problematic and interfere with ability to fully commit to job search Reports psychiatric hospitalization within the last year; or medication seriously interferes with functioning; or emotional difficulties that may interfere with job search but does not want to seek professional help Drug or Alcohol Problems Reports no abuse; or reports full recovery for 1 year or longer Reports current treatment or recently recovered (within 1 year); or reports controlled use (e.g. maintenance program) Reports current abuse not being treated; and/or recent history of abuse on the job; or reports no abuse but exhibits behavior that indicates presence of abuse or problem Violence/Harassment Reports no present harassment or threats Reports ongoing harassment but no threats that undermine sense of physical safety Reports physical safety is threatened, or threats or actions (e.g. stalking) exist that undermine personal safety, or exhibits some evidence of possible physical abuse 9

23 Systemic Factors Low or No Barrier Medium Barrier High Barrier Legal/Regulatory Reports no conviction record or pending court dates Reports conviction record is not recent, and/or offence(s) not severe, and/or driver s license attainable in reasonable time period Reports recent conviction for severe offence and/or has a pending court appearance and/or driver s license suspended for lengthy period Service Availability Area inadequately serviced in some services but adequately resourced in most Area inadequately resourced in most needed services Area inadequately resourced in all services needed by participant (e.g. services absent or long waiting lists) Discrimination Reports no victimization or discriminatory attitudes or behaviors in work/community settings Reports occasional discriminatory attitudes or behaviors in work/community settings but less overt acts Reports frequent and/or strong discriminatory attitudes or behaviors in work/community settings TOTALS Total = /38 Total = /38 Total = /38 10