FAMILIES PROMOTING EMPLOYMENT FIRST

1. FAMILIES PROMOTING EMPLOYMENT FIRST Profile- Promote - Support Workshop 2

2. WELCOME & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

3. PHILOSOPHY OF EMPLOYMENT FIRST Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless. - Jamie Paolinetti

4. BECOME A DETECTIVE Be more intentional in how you see the work environments you visit every day

5. SEEKING THE UNSEEN The real voyage of discovery consists not of seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes. - Marcel Proust

6. SEEKING THE UNSEEN - Activity On your worksheet: • List 3 work environments • Name a visible job in that environment What other work activities could be going on there? • Try to list at least 3 • seek the help of your group

7. GROWING THE SKILLS – SECONDARY SCHOOL • IEP’s and Work Experience skills / needs + interests + labour market

8. PATHWAYS TO PROFILING How your school might help: Building a Portfolio • Inventory of skills / interests • List of achievements • Work Experience (secondary school) • Volunteer experience

9. POST SECONDARY SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS Career Readiness or Career Preparation Programs and Skill Training • Warehouse & Distribution training • Retail & Business Services • Food Services • Electronic & General Assembly • Customer Service & Cashier Training

10. CREATIVE BUSINESSES Car Wash Business Business within a business – Manicure Artist – sells his/her work at local artisan markets Courier – an individual who likes spending time riding in the car.

11. CREATIVE JOBS Jobs Found Jobs Waiting to be Found

12. EXPLORING EMPLOYMENT The most critical element when considering any employment option or opportunity is the individual – your son or daughter.

13. THE JOB SEEKER It is critical that the job seeker be actively involved. There is a higher percentage of success associated with one who has been invested in the process of obtaining employment

14. RESUME STYLES • Chronological • Functional • Objective

15. RESUME TIPS On the resume (or at the interview stage) It is not necessary to provide or disclose: Your Social Insurance Number Your Birthdate Your Marital Status Your Aboriginal status Or, your disability – profile your skills instead!

16. JOB SEEKER PROFILE • Focus on Skills • Focus on Strengths • Positive Photo • Who to Contact

17. PICTORIAL OR VIDEO RESUME • 8 – 10 positive photos • Short video – no more than 3 minutes • Permission – both job seeker and environment • Safety must be considered **Seek feedback before sending**

18. START THE CONVERSATION WITH POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS This is hard for everyone; parents and professionals alike. Negotiating involves a specific skill set; one that you may feel you don’t possess.

19. POINT OF CONTACT • “Saw your job ad…..” • “Referred by……” • Met you at the Chamber of Commerce breakfast….” • Spoke with you at our kids’ soccer game…..” • “Saw your company website…..”

20. SOURCES OF JOB LEADS Networking is one way to identify potential job opportunities. On your sheet – list your contact - try to think of two other people they might know. Homework: Approach the contacts you listed for possible new contacts you could make through them.

21. INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW Sometimes a traditional interview is not going to be optimal for highlighting what your son or daughter has to offer. An informational interview is an opportunity for your child to learn more about the worksite and tasks and an opportunity for the potential employer to meet a potential employee.

22. NEGOTIATING EMPLOYMENT • More than one visit - Workplace tour / survey of job duties - Prepare the employer / hands on interview - Consider job supports / accommodations • Negotiate duties • Confirm the job offer

23. ORGANIZED LABOUR The unionized workplace in British Columbia is about 33%

24. KEYS TO SUCCESS Most employees are successful when…… Employees with a developmental disability may also require….. When training an employee with a developmental disability…….

25. NATURAL SUPPORTS Human or technology supports that are available or can be developed to facilitate integration, acceptance and satisfaction and to promote the goals and interests of all individuals in the setting

26. JOB ACCOMMODATION The term “Job Accommodation” sounds more mysterious than it really is. Accommodation is anything the employer does to alter the environment or task.

27. REALITIES IN THE WORK SITE Everything Changes: Businesses change Jobs change Supervisors change Co-workers change Things at home change which can affect an individual at work

28. RELATIONSHIP MARKETING Engage others in your search Often one idea leads to another, and one person leads to another. The best way to get great ideas is to get lots of ideas.

29. WHO ELSE CAN HELP? Families should look for employment agencies which: • have existed for many years • provide “hands on” support • work closely with other organizations • offer employment, not volunteering • try to negotiate what you need

30. NO MAN IS AN ISLAND Parents are the number one fans of their sons and daughters Insert your picture here and give yourself a hand! But, remember, others are cheering too!!!

31. EVALUATIONS Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead

32. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This workshop is supported by CLBC under their Advancing Employment First initiatives. Community Living BC Barb Penner, Employment Initiatives Coordinator Barb.Penner@gov.bc.ca Developed by: Simon Fraser Society for Community Living & POLARIS Employment Services Society 204 Blue Mountain Street 205-5066 Kingsway Coquitlam, BC Burnaby, BC V3K 4H1 V5H 2E7 604-525-9494 604-430-1557 Cathy Anthony, FISP Coordinator Linda Delparte, Executive Director Helen Stovell, Transition Planner MARCH 2010