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Employer Relations: Beyond the Handshake

http://www.ncwd-youth.info

Agenda

Who am I?

Who are You?

Definitions & Why it Matters

What You Can Do: Strategies that Work

What We Can Do: Support is Available!

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Who Am I? Who are We?

Patricia D. Gill, Senior Program Associate

gillp@iel.org 202.822.8405 x154 Institute for Educational Leadership National Collaborative on Workforce and

Disability for Youth Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP)

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Builds the capacity of individuals in education and related fields to work together across policies, programs, and sectors in support of better results for all children and youth, from pre-kindergarten through post-secondary education and work.

Three Centers: Coalition for Community Schools Leadership Programs (Education Policy

Fellowship Program) Center for Workforce Development

Institute for Educational Leadership

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National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth

Strives to ensure that youth with disabilities are provided full access to high quality services in integrated settings in order to maximize their opportunities for employment and independent living. www.ncwd-youth.info

3 levels: system (policy), organizational, and front line (youth service professionals)

Funded by: Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy

Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP)

Career-focused mentoring for ywd STEM emphasis Group, peer, and one-to-one mentoring Weekly meetings with goal-setting Career exploration: guest speakers, worksite

tours, job shadowing, mock interviews, hands-on work-based experiences

Funded by Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention 6

Who Are You? What Do You Do?

Job Corps

What states?

What positions?

What responsibilities?

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Definitions: Transition

The period of time when adolescents are moving into adulthood and is often concerned with planning for postsecondary education or careers. In the workforce environment, it usually encompasses ages 14 to 25.

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Definitions: Workforce Development System

Organizations at the national, state, and local levels that have direct responsibility for planning, allocating resources, providing administrative oversight, and operating programs to assist individuals and employers in obtaining education, training, job placement, and job recruitment (special focus on those involved in preparing youth for work).

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Why Does It Matter?

Transition is a Tough Time (but fun too!)

Lot of Good Activities & Good People– but no real system

Youth service professionals and employers are the people

Work experience during high school (paid and unpaid) helps ywd get higher paying jobs after graduation

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Why Focus on This Population?

Three times as likely to drop out of high school Half as likely to attend or finish college (Those

who do finish are more likely to have taken a less rigorous course load)

More likely to be unemployed or underemployed

Three times as likely to live in poverty as adults Four times as likely to be adjudicated

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The Guideposts for Success

An extensive literature review of research, demonstration projects and effective practices covering a wide range of programs and services---including lessons from youth development, quality education, and workforce development programs---has identified core commonalities across the disciplines, programs and institutional settings.

The review also points out that no one institution or organization can provide the full range of services; thus, highlighting the interdependence of agencies that requires communities, states, the federal government and multiple organizations at all levels to collaborate with one another in order to help assure quality transitions for all youth.

The five Guideposts are the following: School-based Preparatory Experiences Career Preparation and Work-Based Learning

Experiences Youth Development and Leadership Connecting Activities Family Involvement and Supports

(Always divided to two levels)13

The Guideposts for Success

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Career Preparation & Work-Based Learning

All youth need information on career options, including: Career assessments to help identify students’ school and post-

school preferences and interests; Structured exposure to post-secondary education and other life-

long learning opportunities; Exposure to career opportunities that ultimately lead to a living

wage, including information about educational requirements, entry requirements and income potential; and,

Training designed to improve job-seeking skills and work-place basic skills (sometimes called soft skills).

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Career Preparation & Work-Based Learning

To identify and attain career goals, all youth need Opportunities to engage in a range of work-based exploration

activities such as site visits and job shadowing; Access supports and accommodations for work and community living; and

Multiple on-the-job training experiences, including community service (paid or unpaid) that is specifically linked to the content of a program of study and school credit

Opportunities to learn and practice their work skills (“soft skills”); and,

Opportunities to learn first-hand about specific occupational skills related to a career pathway.

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Career Preparation & Work-Based Learning

Youth with Disabilities Need to: Understand the relationships between appropriate financial and

benefits planning and career choices; Access supports and accommodations for work and community

living; and Learn to communicate their support and accommodation needs to

prospective employers and service providers. Learn to request, find, and secure appropriate supports and

reasonable accommodations at work, at home, and in the community.

How Do We Do It?

Relationships

Relationships

Relationships

Definitions: Relationship

“a series of interactions marked by common goals, a clear understanding, and mutual benefit”

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Definitions: Relationship

HonestyCommunicationTimePatience & UnderstandingForgiveness

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What You Can Do: Strategies that Work

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What You Can Do: Strategies that Work... References

Employer to Employer: reference letter, list of references, name to call

Colleague to Colleague: anyone else I should talk to?

Within an Industry: associations, unions, chamber of commerce

Within an Organization: human resources, diversity/EEOC group21

What You Can Do: Strategies that Work... Ease 'em In

Ease on down, Ease

on down the road

Don't you carry nothin'

That might be a load

Ease on down, Ease

on down the road

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What You Can Do: Strategies that Work... Ease 'em In

Offer employers a “menu” of options 5 minutes: referral, Industry materials &

information 1 hour: Guest speakers, Mock interviews &

résumé reviews 2 hours: Work-site tours, competition judge 1 day: Job shadowing, field trip A few hours a month: Mentoring Several weeks: Internships23

Business Networking LuncheonName ________________________________Organization: __________________________Best way for us to contact you (circle one): Telephone Email Other:__ Telephone: ____________________ Email: ____________________I would be interested in the following:_______ Refer Mentors – 5 minutes_______ Refer Mentees – 5 minutes_______ Guest speaker - 1 hour_______ Help with a mock interview – 1 hour_______ Informational interview (youth interviews you) – 1 hour_______ Business tour – 2 hours_______ Share sample career/industry materials – 2 hours_______ Job shadowing – 1 day_______ High-tech project advisor – 3 - 6 hrs/month (3 mos/1 quarter)_______ Mentor – 3 - 6 hours per month (year-round)_______ Other contributions: _________________________________Thank You for Supporting Youth in Our Community!!

What You Can Do: Strategies that Work... Language

Offer “menu of services” and your value: Focus on needs of employer vs. youthDO say:•Recruitment assistance, pre-screened applicants, expanded labor pool, customized response to HR needs, diverse workforce, tax credits/other benefits

DON'T say:•Vocational experience, work-based learning, WIA, youth development, transition, career exploration25

What You Can Do: Strategies that Work... Access

Provide access to disability-specific information and supports•Identify & address access/accommodations needs

(How they will help youth perform vs. legal reqs.)•Ongoing post-placement followup (visits, modeling)•Prepare & support youth (disclosure, reas. accom.)•Disability & Diversity-awareness training•Ask what further support and information the employer would like26

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What You Can Do: Strategies that Work... Access (Sample Employer Guidance)

Preparing & Supporting Youth On-Site Youth-friendly staff Identify youth’s interests, goals, and expectations Provide clear information about your expectations Recognize move from school to work (new rules) Share your own experiences & career pathway Select hands-on, varied, and interactive tasks Allow exploration and failure (expect it!) Connect to resources & training Have fun!

What You Can Do: Strategies that Work... Thanks

Provide Thanks and Recognition Early and Often•Food – breakfasts, luncheons•Awards - ceremonies•Publicity – internal & external•Benefits – access to special events, tax benefits•Letters -from youth, program•Outcomes – invite to graduations, events

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What You Can Do: Strategies that Work... Enjoyment

Provide Chance to be part of something good and fun•Awards - ceremonies•Field trips -•Projects•Community events•Open house•Youth performances/presentations29

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What We Can Do: Support is Available!

Benefits to Employers: New source for reliable loyal employees New ideas & skills Professional development for existing staff Chance to meet & “try out” youth prior to hiring New partnerships Services for current employees Increased capacity of organization Increased reputation in community Tax benefits Fun! Feels good! (Office morale)

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What We Can Do: Support is Available!

Workforce systems and programs provide: Knowledge of your industry and needs Documentation of youths’ skills & interests Stream-lined referrals On-site, phone, or email support as needed A single point of contact Training and coaching for your staff Services for your staff and their families Universal design and accommodations expertise Communication (Follow-up, support, & feedback)

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Resources, Resources: Some Places to Start

National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth http://www.ncwd-youth.info/

Disability Employment Guide http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/products/employmentguide/index.html

Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs) http://www.adata.org/Static/Home.aspx

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) http://askjan.org/ Employer Assistance and Resource Network

http://www.earnworks.com/ Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation

Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention http://www.worksupport.com/

DisabilityInfo.gov http://www.disability.gov/