“Delivering an Effective Work Experience Program”

1. “Delivering an Effective Work Experience Program” Jody A. Toner WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA, Special Projects Director December 16, 2010

2. What is Work Experience? • The WIA Regulations say… • Work experiences are planned, structured learning experiences that take place in a workplace for a limited period of time. • Designed to enable job seekers to gain exposure to the working world and its requirements. • Provide career exploration and skill development • Not designed to benefit employer directly however, based on work performed employer benefits

3. Key Ingredients • Solid project design • Effective outreach campaign • Extensive staff training • Dedicated project team • Employer Relationships

4. Key Ingredients • Board involvement • Accountability and accessibility • Pre-Inspection worksite visits • Comprehensive monitoring structure

5. Key Ingredients • Low staff : participant ratios • Strict worksite supervisor : intern ratios • Formal intern performance evaluation process

6. Keys Ingredients • Timing of the economy • Success stories • Customer satisfaction survey process for employers and job seekers • ROI – win win for employers and job seekers

7. Program Facts • Funded through WIA • Paid internships • Employers write the job descriptions and make candidate selections

8. Program Facts • Payroll methods: Direct deposit or Pay Partners • WCF is the employer of record • Variety of models based on programmatic design

9. WCF’s Work Experience Initiatives

10. Work Experience Initiatives • Three WIA funded initiatives: • Re-Employment Connection • CAREER TRACK Connection • Summer Job Connection

11. Re-Employment Connection • WIA Adults & Dislocated Workers ages 22 and up • Rate: 10.00/hour • Hours: 40 hrs/week • Duration: 12 weeks • Total earnings: $4,800

12. Re-Employment Connection • New extended model: Private sector only • Combination of WIA Adult & DW funds • Goal: 118 enrollments • Rate: 12.00/hour • Hours: 40 hrs/week • Duration: 20-26 weeks • Earnings Range: $9,600-$12,480

13. CAREER TRACK Connection • WIA Youth: Out-of-school, ages 18-21 • Rate: 8.50/hour • Hours: 30 hrs/week • Duration: 12 weeks • Total earnings: $3,060 • Goal: 125 enrollments

14. Summer Job Connection • WIA Youth ages 16-21 • Rate: 8.25/hour • Hours: 35 hrs/week • Two tracks: • Track 1: ISY – 6 weeks • Track 2: OSY- 11 weeks • Incentives tied to performance evaluations • Earnings Range: $1,732.50- $3,176.25

15. Worksites

16. Worksites • Worksites are comprised of: non-profit, government agencies and private-for-profit* • Private sector positions must be in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) • Top 20 demand occupations in Central Florida as defined by our Board

17. Massage Therapists Medical & Health Services Manager Medical Assistant Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technology Medical Records & Health Information Technicians Medical Secretary Network and Computer Systems Administrators Physical Therapist Assistant Registered Nurse Truck Drivers Top 20 Occupations • Administrative Services Managers • Booking, Accounting and Auditing Clerks • Cardiovascular Technologists & Technicians • Chefs & Head Cooks • Computer Programmers • Computer Support Specialists • Dental Assistants • Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants • Heating, A.C., and Refrigeration Mechanics & Installers • Licensed Practical Nurses

18. Application Process • Online application process • SNAP web-based application • Dedicated email address and hotline # for inquiries/questions • Accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis • Employers write the job descriptions and make candidate selections

19. Quality Worksites • Upfront communication of WCF’s “high expectations and support” • Casting the vision of WCF’s project • Upfront commitment and understanding from employers • Eliminate the stereotype – this is not a free labor program

20. Quality Worksites • Worksites are required to complete a detailed training plan for each requested position • Effective worksite supervisory manual, training and online manual • Thorough onsite weekly/biweekly worksite monitoring with new instruments each week

21. Pre-Inspection Monitoring • Thorough review of the online applications is completed • Initial pre-inspection worksite monitoring is conducted within two weeks from completed application • Monitoring ensures that the worksite is a safe environment and program requirements/standards are explained and understood

22. Pre-Inspection Monitoring • Monitoring tool is reviewed, maintenance of efforts discussed • Training plan reviewed/finalized • Brief overview of the work experience program occurs with worksite staff (CEO, Executive Director and/or Supervisor) • Required REC paperwork is provided • WCF Media Release form • REC Worksite Supervisor Manual • WCF Worksite Agreement

23. Recruitment Events • REC & CTC programs: • Monthly Recruitment events • Worksite supervisory training occurs • Job matching through a speed dating approach • SJC • 1 day process/8 hour event per county • CES training for youth • Ends with Job Fair event

24. Recruitment Events • Employers make candidate selections • Employer feedback phenomenal • Job seekers exposed to real world experiences • Worksite referral form- carbon copy

25. Worksite Role • Joint partnership with RWB • Provide mentoring to program participants • Treat employees as regular employees • Open lines of communication with RWB assigned Career Specialist /Worksite Monitors • Timesheet completion and tracking • Involvement in ongoing worksite monitoring • Consider interns for any vacant positions

26. Job Seekers

27. Job Seekers • Must meet WIA eligibility requirements and suitability • Webinar & Online application process • Initial Appointment: Registration & On-boarding paperwork • Level 1 background check conducted • Due to employer/employee relationship WCF cannot provide the results to the employers

28. Employability Skills • Employability skills training is a mandatory requirement • Customized training based on target population • Soft skills include: interviewing techniques, 30-second commercial, resume writing etc. • Youth: Work Readiness skills attainment

29. WCF’s Stats

30. WCF’s Stats

31. Measure Success • Utilize a variety of media: video, newsletters, letters, etc. • Share with key stakeholders • SJC Video documentary 2009 & 2010

32. Measure Success • Capturing success stories and posting on our website • Annual “Awards of Excellence” for worksites and interns • Performance goals

33. Best Practices • Online Application process • Customer Service Representative triage team • WE Summits/Recruitment Events • Video Documentary • Designed and implemented an effective journaling approach the “Portfolio”

34. Resource Links

35. Questions