WORK CERTIFIED Enhancing the Spirit of Americas Workforce

1
WORK CERTIFIEDEnhancing the Spirit of
Americas Workforce
Administered by the Workforce Development Board
of the Treasure Coast
2
To ensure a Quality Workforce by providing basic
skills and business ethic training opportunities
to employers and certifying agencies so that
jobseekers can obtain the skill standards and
Certification to become more employable,
retainable and promotable in the workforce.
3

• A Program Created
• By Employers
• For Employers
• And Both
• Job Seekers Employers Benefit

4
History

• In 1999, the National Skill Standards Board
  canvassed all workforce boards regarding use of
  skill standards for WIA
• In 2000, NSSB identified Palm Beach and Treasure
  Coast workforce regions as providers of skill
  standards solutions
• Treasure Coasts primary interest was in
  developing skill standards and competencies for
  Work Readiness Skills
• In 2001 the first Pilot program started on the
  Treasure Coast

5
Creative Partners

• National Skill Standards Board
• Indian River Community College
• Palm Beach Community College
• Workforce Alliance (Palm Beach)
• Workforce Development Board of the Treasure Coast

6
Program Outcome

• Our program provides job seekers with basic work
  ethics, behavioral modification, self-esteem,
  goal setting and team building skills in a
  classroom setting
• Continuously Improving - We are operating with
  the 7th version of our curriculum. We believe
  the program will never be completed and we review
  input nationwide on a yearly basis

7
Comparison of TABE Levels Before and After Work
Certified Classes
Math
Math
Reading
Reading
8
Who Uses Our Program?
9
Who Uses WC

• TANF
• Entry-level employees
• Youth
• Dislocated Workers
• Offenders
• Adults
• Seniors

10
Benefits

• Increased demand for workers trained through
  career systems
• High-quality training based on locally and
  nationally recognized skill standards that result
  in higher skilled job seekers whose skills are
  portable
• Recognized certifications for job seekers
• Training warranties for employers

11
What Makes Our Program Different?

• Employer Driven
• Interactive teaching
• Role playing, real work life exercises, group
  discussion, career-focus, team-building,
  behavior-shaping, motivating, etc.
• Training taught from an employer perspective and
  setting
• Skill sets that are generic to every occupation.

12
The Missing Link

• Education - -
  Employment

Skill standards are performance specifications
that identify the knowledge, skills and abilities
an individual needs to succeed in the workplace.
(National Skills Standard Board)
13
Curriculum
14
Program Modules

• Reading Comprehension
• Business Tools (Computers plus)
• Pre-employment
• Customer Service
• Business Writing
• Job Skills I (Work Maturity)
• Job Skills II (Employability)
• Business Math
• General Business Knowledge
• 90 Hr Training - Master 50 Competencies

15
WC Certification
Trainers
Instructors
Members
Train 90-hr class Train the Instructors Audit
Review Annual Meetings
16
Certification Requirements

• Universal Competencies (5)
• Members must demonstrate proficiency throughout
  the entire program.
• No more than two excused absences.
• No more than three incidents of excused tardiness
  (late to class, leave early, elongated lunch,
  etc.)

17
Certification Requirements

• Must demonstrate proper grooming.
• Must demonstrate effective use of interpersonal
  skills when working with a supervisor by
  interacting respectfully and professionally with
  all instructors. Instructors are considered the
  students supervisors.
• Must demonstrate effective use of interpersonal
  skills when working with co-workers by
  interacting respectfully and professionally with
  all classmates. Classmates are considered the
  students co-workers.

18
Certification

• The National Skill Standards Board said,
• This is the best (work readiness) program in
  the country.

19
Work Certified ImplementationMaking Success
Happen
20
Successful Approaches

• Develop Flexible Plans
• Placement Follow-up
• Internal Staff Training
• Business Community Outreach
• Celebrate Successes Communicate It!

21
Develop Flexible Plans

• Job Club Activities
• Motivational Workshops
• Career Assessments
• Personal Interest Inventories
• Goal Settings
• Employee Plan
• Short Term (WC Certificate of Completion
• Long Term (Remediation WC Certification
• WC Workshops
• Occupational Training

22
Placement Tips Follow-Up

• Dedicated staff to ensure WC members job
  placement the right job for them
• Additional role playing with interviewing
  techniques with Job Developers/Business Service
  Representatives prior to employer interview
• Follow up with Employer/Employee on job/employer
  satisfaction

23
Internal Training

• Designate a Coordinator
• Liaison between WC Instructors, Job Developers,
  Business Service Representatives, Customer
  Service Representatives, Site Managers, etc
• Obtains LMS database reports
• Conduct regular meetings to benchmark success,
  troubleshoot issues and/or develop new strategies
  in accomplishing goals.

24
Internal Training

• Train all staff on the WC program
• Provide informational workshops to all staff on
  the WC benefits
• Provide eligibility guidelines/referral processes
  to all staff
• Present the same Orientation to all staff so they
  understand the customers commitment and the
  providers services to successful employment
• Follow-up on successes

25
Business Community Outreach

• Speak at community events about the Work
  Certified program
• Economic Development Councils
• Chamber of Commerce
• Human Resource Associations
• Business Industry Associations
• Community Based Organizations
• Faith Based Organizations
• School Districts

26
Celebrate Successes!!!!!

• Communicate success stories with Board members,
  employers, community, state-wide and national
  partners
• Hold WC Graduations
• Market successes
• Newspaper, radio, community meetings, state
  events, national events
• Send information to Work Certified website

27
LMS Database/Website

• www.workcertified.org

28
www.workcertified.org
29
Student Reports

• Member Reports that show
• completions
• grades
• certifications
• workshops taken and completed
• LMS training is given during Instructor training

30
Name Here

• has successfully completed
• Course Name
• of the Work Certified program November 10, 2009

Enhancing the Spirit of Americas Workforce
31
Website

• www.workcertifiedsolutions.com

32
Contacts

• John Kraczkowski, Director of Development
• Workforce Development Board
• 584 NW University Blvd., Suite 100
• Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
• 772-335-3030 831
• john_at_workcertifiedsolutions.com

33

• MAY THE WORKFORCE BE WITH YOU!