job readiness training, workforce development and outreach, education and advocacy for mature...

Job Readiness Training, Workforce Development and Outreach, Education and Advocacy for Mature Workers

Senior Services

Today’s Presenters:

•Patricia Wilkins, Vice President Workforce Development

•Barbara Rykaczewski, Director Quality and Procedures

•Bryan Dalton, Director Training

•Jenna Holzberg, Illinois Senior Services Program Manager

•National Able Network History•Define Workforce Development•Provide an overview for developing and implementing successful project plans•Outcomes… Next steps

National Able Network® is a nonprofit agency working to serve individuals, families and communities by bringing together qualified job seekers and businesses.

Our Mission…

“Preparing Today’s Communities to Meet Tomorrows Challenges.”

*Education *Employment *Opportunities

National Able Network® was founded in Chicago in 1977 by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust to advocate for, and promote employment opportunities for seniors.

Today, Able serves businesses in all major sectors and helps job seekers of all ages, skills and income levels.

National Able Network Programs

Universal Job

Readiness Training

(JRT)

Able Staffing Resources

Veterans Forward

Able Career Institute

Seniors Having InformationFor Tomorrow

Senior Community Service Employment Program Workforce

Investment Act

Trade Adjustment Act

AdultBasicEducationServices

SHIFT is a comprehensive training program for unemployed or retired adults focusing on improving self-sufficiency.

Seniors Having Information for Tomorrow(SHIFT)

The Seniors Having Information for Tomorrow (SHIFT) is funded by a private grant from The Retirement Research Foundation

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

SCSEP is a community service and work based training program for older workers. Authorized by the Older Americans Act, the

program provides subsidized, community service-based training for low-income persons 55 or older who are unemployed.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is funded by a U.S. Dept. of Labor grant administered by National Able Network®

•Illinois•Indiana•Maine•Massachusetts•New Hampshire

Service Areas

• SCSEP is the only federally funded training and employment program for mature workers in the United States.

• 43,809 mature workers will receive and provide SCSEP services throughout the United States during the 2013 program year.

• 2013 funding $424,804,974 - 5% reduction from 2012

SCSEP was established in 1965 as Title V of the Older Americans Act

What is Workforce Development?

Definition

Workforce Development is - a term used to describe employment initiative services offered by agencies and government programs.

Workforce Development Is…

•Collaborative economic development approach •Designed to enhance a region's economic stability and prosperity •Focuses on people, community and businesses•Holistic approach •Seen as a solution to issues of social equity

Workforce Development andMature Workers

Many mature workers are staying in the workforce longer for various reasons:• Necessity - finances• Americans are living longer• Health Care Benefits• Stay actively engaged• New career or skills

Self-Sufficiency

Training Employment

Subsidized Programs

Unsubsidized Programs

Comprehensive Supportive

Services

SERVICE INTEGRATIONBarbara Rykaczewski, Director of Quality Assurance

Objectives

•Define “Service Integration”•The need for service integration•Service integration goals and projects •Accomplishments and results

Service Integration

Improving service delivery to clients through coordination of efforts, resources, and knowledge

WHAT IS IT?

Flexibility

Shaped by those

involved and those served

Within agency OR within community

Able’s Service Integration History

•Feeling budget crunch•Clients using multiple resources within agency•Sharing of job leads•Access to Subject Matter Experts•Knowledge/processes/forms

Reason for Service Integration Task Force

Able’s Representation

Able Staffing Resources

Veterans Forward

Able Career Institute

Seniors Having Information For Tomorrow

Senior Community Service Employment Program

Workforce Investment Act

Trade Adjustment Act

Training Team

Service Integration

Team

Universal Job

Readiness Training

With Guidance from:

•Vice President of Workforce Development•Vice President of Workforce Services•Vice President of Veterans and Business Development•Chief Operating Officer

Input also from Chief Executive Officer & CEO, Grace Jenkins

Logistics

Work plan with actionable outcomes and due dates

Meetings

Quarterly expanded staff meetings

Ultimate Goal

To improve service delivery to clients through coordination of efforts,

resources, and knowledge

Action Steps

•Provide clients with a stronger, holistic approach to address their barriers to employment

•Utilize agency resources in collaborative manner so as to maximize agency impact on client

•Address agency challenges and issues related to communication• understanding and sharing between the different programs• help agency staff to have a more complete understanding of

the agency

•Better integrate services of remote offices and locations

Project: Program Knowledge

All Able staff know about all the programs offered and basic eligibility criteria• Create an Able program information at a glance

“cheat sheet”• Inform staff and make information available• Ensure document is current on a regular basis

•Learning tool: Able Puzzle•Take-away: Referral tool

Project: Initial Assessment

•“Program-ready participant” assessment• Definition of “program-ready”• Questions to determine program readiness

Learning tool: Participant scenarios

Project: IEP Development

•Guiding principles for development of:Individual Employment Plan (IEP)

• Best Practices Guide• Examples of “good” and “bad” IEPs

Learning tool: IEP Writing

Activity: Client Scenarios

•What services can your program provide to this client?

•What services are there in the community that the client could benefit from?

Benefit to Client

•Access to added resources•More support/opportunities to address barriers•Access to Subject Matter Expert (SME)•More seamless service

Benefit to Agency

•Leveraged resources•More seamless service•Better performance•Breaking down silos among service providers

Challenges

•Buy-in•Getting credit, sharing territory•Old habits are hard to break•“Too busy” syndrome

Results

•Increased co-enrollment•Increased cohesiveness throughout agency•Better service delivery to participants•Stronger grant proposals

Some Examples of Service Integration

Universal Client Application

Call Center

Job Readiness Training

Establishing Your Own

•Know your network•Identify common goals•Identify resources available to share•Establish MOUs/linkage agreements•Create and stick to work plan•Re-evaluate and readjust regularly

Service Integration Task Force

JOB READINESS TRAININGBryan Dalton, Director of Training

@bryankdalton

Objectives

•Describe the importance of Job Readiness Training (JRT)

•Explain how JRT pertains to those seeking employment

•Explore how JRT can contribute to self-sufficiency and quality of life

•Provide an overview of JRT as it pertains to our agency

•Share some JRT outcomes

Why the Need for Job Readiness Training

•The job search process has changed•Accessing opportunities require technology•Everyone can benefit from learning

about technology•JRT provides seniors with information contributing to:• Employment• Retention• Self-sufficiency• Quality of life

Job Readiness Training for Job Seekers

Developing an Effective Job Search PlanResume and Cover Letter Development

Preparing for the InterviewMock Interviews

How to Effectively Complete an Online Job Application

Introduction to Social MediaProviding Exceptional Customer Service

Harmony in the WorkplaceMaking a Great Impression on the Job

Job Readiness Training was named most promising practice by the Department of Labor

Developing an Effective Job Search Plan

Occupation Goal

Basic Resume

Elevator Speech

Networking

Resume and Cover Letter Development

Computer Eye Human Eye

• Research• Key words• Targeted• Accomplishments• Not dated

Preparing for the Interview

Prepare for all types of interviews

Mock Interviews

Practice makes…

How to Effectively Complete an Online Job App

• Understanding the how and why

• The must haves before starting

• Helpful computer skills to use

• General tips and cautions

Introduction to Social Media

• What is it• How people are

using it socially• How it find a job

using it

Providing Exceptional Customer Service

•External Customer Service •Internal Customer Service

• Best practices and how to deal with difficult customers

Harmony in the Workplace

• Benefits of harmony

• Methods to promote harmony

• Stress management

• Time management

• Working in cross-generational teams

Making a Great Impression on the Job

• Workplace communication etiquette pertaining to verbal, written and nonverbal communications

• Adherence to job description and to company policies and procedures

• Work habit and attitude tips

For Self-Sufficiency and Quality of Life

•Access to technology•Learning about available resources and how to find them•Exposure to eLearning (genealogy, scrap booking, etc.) •Practice communication and interpersonal skills•Class gatherings and interactions•Social Media: Virtual Communities

NETWORKING Activity from: Developing an Effective Job Search Plan

Within the Context of National Able

•Geographic and rural outreach•Budget cuts•Blended training• Live Virtual• Classroom• Self Guided

Special Considerations in the Virtual World

Some Outcomes

Attendance

Pilot Year

48%

Year Two

61%

Customer Satisfaction

ClassroomRemote

3.49/4.0 3.85/4.0

Over Pilot Year!

SUCCESS STORYA short video produced and edited by Jenna Holzberg

SENIOR AMBASSADOR PROGRAMJenna Holzberg, Illinois Senior Services Program Manager

Workforce Development & the Mature Worker

Workforce Development Program Model:• Job Readiness Training• Skills Training• On-the-job Training• Client Services

Assist in finding one’s path to employment

Workforce Development & the Mature Worker

Senior Community Service Employment Program• Also known as SCSEP or the Title V Program

National Able Network has been funded to administer the SCSEP Program for over 30 years, during this time the program has

gone through different changes.

Workforce Development & the Mature Worker

•In pursuit of other program options….

The Retirement Research Foundation&

Seniors Having Information For Tomorrow(SHIFT)

Seniors Having Information For Tomorrow

Is a workforce development program for mature workers which provides clients:

Job Readiness Training

Workshops

Supportive Services

Client Services

Job Search Assistance

Job Placement Assistance

Seniors Having Information For Tomorrow

Year One (program year 2011)

Year Two (program year 2012)

Self-sufficiency

Entered-employment

Seniors Having Information For Tomorrow

Year Three (program year 2013)

Entered-employment and employment retention

Pilot Program: Senior Ambassadors

Senior Ambassadors

What is a Senior Ambassador?

How does this fit into a workforce program for mature workers?

Senior Ambassadors

Interested in creating other learning and training opportunities for program clients outside of the traditional workforce development program model

Senior Ambassadors

The concept of “Senior Ambassadors” came out of our direct client service experience in the Job Readiness Training.

Senior Ambassadors

Definition:Senior Ambassadors are advocates and educators. They are trained and educated about different social issues that are relevant to peers in their communities.

Mission: To provide clear, straight-forward information about these social issues, share resources and facilitate referrals to community based (partner) organizations.

Discussion

What are the other things that we can identify that are issues relevant to seniors that can be incorporated into this Senior Ambassador model?

Senior Ambassador Training Objective

Understanding the Affordable Care Act

Training of Senior Ambassadors

How were the Ambassadors identified?• Current SHIFT Program

clients• Relevant IEP goals

Training of Senior Ambassadors

• Training and education of program staff on the Affordable Care Act.• Identify information relevant for Ambassador

outreach activities.

“The Culture of Coverage”Introduce a new health culture to Illinoisans who have

traditionally been excluded from coverage.

Training Material

• Online tutorials from the Assistor Training• Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services• www.illinoishealthmatters.org

http://marketplace.cms.gov/exploreresearch/talking-about-the-marketplace.pdf

http://visualizingreform.illinoishealthmatters.org/uninsured#39,95|-86,01|7|-1|4|Gender

Training Material – Online Resources

Training Material – Online Resources

Training Material

Tablet Computers• Exposes Ambassadors to new technology• Additional tools and resources in outreach

efforts.

Practice Sessions

•Created a list of “talking points”•Mock interactions, discussion & presentations•Mini-presentations at Able program orientations

•Regular Ambassador meetings• Identify areas where they may need clarification

on information • Discuss challenges

Tracking Success of Senior Ambassadors

Ambassador outreach efforts contextualized within a structured and defined Affordable Care Act enrollment project.

•Center for Economic Progress • In-Person Navigator Grant

•National Able Network’s Call Center

Tracking Success of Senior Ambassadors

Senior Ambassador Outreach

Able Call Center

In-Person Navigator

Ability to track Ambassador referrals from initial point of contact through registration with Center for Economic Progress

Senior Ambassadors

Skills Developed, Lessons Learned & Outcomes

Skills Developed

How does this translate into marketable skills for one’s job search?

Skills transferable to the professional fields of:

Sales Customer service

Social service case

management

Community outreach

Communication

Public Speaking

Networking

Skills Developed

Lessons Learned

•Challenges with rollout of www.healthcare.gov • Negative responses• Pushback

Shared teaching and learning moments for the Senior Ambassadors

Lesson Learned

Unexpected interest and enthusiasm from program clients

What will be our next Senior Ambassador project?• Medicaid/Medicare• Health and Wellness• Volunteerism• Identity Theft/Scams• Elder Abuse Awareness

Outcomes

…To Be Determined…

Questions?

Conclusion and final thoughts

• Mature workers are staying in the workforce longer

• Lack of senior-friendly, workforce development programs

• Meeting the needs of a growing mature population requires a comprehensive integrated service approach

Stay tuned and check us out @

www.nationalable.org