Skills to Pay the Bills Texas Transition Conference February 17-19, 2016 Who We Are What We Do How We Do Our Work Overview of Soft Skills What Employers Say Soft Skills Resources Trying Out The Curriculum How Has the Curriculum Been Used Additional Resources Presentation Overview Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), U.S. Department of Labor: Mission: Provide national leadership on disability employment policy Vision: A world in which people with disabilities have unlimited employment opportunities Who We Are National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability Youth (NCWD - Youth): Center for Workforce Development, Institute on Educational Leadership (IEL) PACER Center National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) Boston University, School of Education Institute for Community Integration, University of Minnesota Who Are Our Partners Evidence-Based Framework: Guideposts for Successful Transition School-Based Preparatory Experiences Career Preparation and Work-Based Learning Youth Development and Leadership Connecting Activities Family Involvement and Supports How We Do Our Work Foster care,care,http://www.ncwd-youth.info/guideposts/foster- care Juvenile justice system,youth.info/guideposts/juvenile-justicehttp://www.ncwd- youth.info/guideposts/juvenile-justice Youth with mental health needs,youth.info/guideposts/mental-health, and,http://www.ncwd- youth.info/guideposts/mental-health Youth with learning disabilities,youth.info/guideposts/learning-disabilitieshttp://www.ncwd- youth.info/guideposts/learning-disabilities 6 Guideposts for Other Youth Populations Soft skills refer to the traits, work habits, and attitudes that all workers across all occupations must have in order to obtain, maintain, and progress in employment. What are Soft Skills? Why are Soft Skills Important? Employment rate for youth (ages years) with disabilities is 14.2 percent as compare to their peers without disabilities is 28.9 percent. Youth (ages 20-24) with disabilities employment rate is 30.3 percent as compared to their peers without disabilities is 62.4 percent. Employees with the ability to: get along with others, work in teams, attend to tasks, work independently, and provide excellent customer service What Employers Want Businesses across the nation have identified soft skills as crucial to the hiring and employment success of all workers According to recent surveys, nearly three-quarters of employers indicated high school graduates were deficient in such basic skills as punctuality, verbal communication and working productively with others Building off these results, ODEP sought to create an inclusive and dynamic curriculum to address these deficiencies What Employers Say One manager reported that a job-seeker ate all the sweets from the candy dish while trying to answer questions. Another person blew her nose and lined up the used tissues on the table in front of her. Or what about the guy who wore a hat to the interview that said, "Take this job and shove it?" What Employers Witnessed They Did What ? 71 percent said answering a cell phone or texting during the interview 69 percent said dressing inappropriately 69 percent don't like it when an applicant appears bored 66 percent said appearing arrogant 63 percent would rather you didn't talk negatively about a current or previous employer 59 percent said chewing gum What is Skills to Pay the Bills? Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success is a curriculum designed to provide an introduction to the basics of soft skills. Focused on teaching workforce readiness skills to all youth, including youth with disabilities. Created for youth development professionals to use when working with youth ages 14 to 24, in both in-school and out-of-school environments. The tool consists of hands-on, engaging activities that focus on six key skill areas. Soft Skills Communication Enthusiasm and Attitude Teamwork Networking Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Professionalism Communication Important to develop skills for both communicating TO others, and learning how to receive info FROM others. Focus areas include information transfer and recognition. Activity Example: Flipping the Switch Enthusiasm and Attitude Having an I can attitude is a critical component of workplace success. Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) can mean the difference between getting hired and fired. Focus areas include positive thinking and enthusiasm during interviews. Activity Example: Life is Full of Hard Knocks Teamwork Each individual plays a role in team success. Cooperation, responsibility, communication are key cogs in an effective team. Employers value team players. Focus areas include positive teamwork behavior and understanding roles. Activity Example: The Good, The Bad, The Reasonable Students discuss some of the barriers to effective teamwork. Using spaghetti and marshmallows, students have 15 minutes to create tallest freestanding structure. Tallest structure has solid foundation---students discuss importance of foundation for a team. Networking Its not just what you know, but also who you know. Networking is key to unlocking hidden job market. Focus areas include taking initiative and overcoming fear. Activity Example: The Three Ps (Prepare, Practice, and Pull Yourself Together) Problem Solving and Critical Thinking The ability to use knowledge, facts and data to solve problems. Process is as important as final answer. Focus areas include ethical decision-making and problem solving in a team setting. Activity Example: Four-step Process for Making Ethical Decisions at Work Professionalism Professionalism is a key to success, regardless of industry. Employers value those who carry out duties in professional manner. Focus areas include molding soft skills together. Activity Example: Self-reflection Questions to Move You Toward the Career of Your Dreams Through the lens of Universal Design People first language Account for learning differences and varied skills, talents and interests Provide a wide range of learners an opportunity for success Tips for improving access for all youth Global strategies Inclusive teaching strategies Accommodations 7 sites in different parts of the country (MA, FL, DC, KY, WA, CT, and CO) Different populations of students, and included youth with and without disabilities; and youth whose primary language was other than English Feedback from sites led to adjustments Pilots We wanted to know We wanted to know : Do you believe youth in your program understand and demonstrate skills in these areas: 60%Communication: 60% 81%Enthusiasm/Teamwork: 81% 58%Teamwork: 58% 0%Networking: 0% 50%Problem Solving/Critical Thinking: 50% Pre-Survey Do you believe youth in your program understand and demonstrate skills in these areas: Communication: 100% ( 40%) Enthusiasm and Teamwork: 100% ( 19%) Teamwork: 100% ( 42%) Networking: 100% ( 100%) Problem Solving & Critical Thinking: 100% ( 50%) Post Pilot Survey Just the Facts a brief description Time frame (suggested) Materials (suggested) Directions (including sample scripts) Conclusion (discussion/dialogue) Journaling activity (with choices) Extension activity The result: 30 Lessons Success Story Brandon Pursley Skills to Pay the Bills cover artist Student at Madison County High School Experience with curriculum gave him the confidence to take his art in a new direction Currently living and working in Boston In Their Own Words Interview in 2 hours, I need to get ready But Im so nervous, my hands aint steady Body got shivers, what should I do Grabbed my notebook and started to skim through Remember eye contact, firm handshake Take no calls, put phone on vibrate Speak clear, big smiles, dont show no fear Give the boss good reason for working here Dont forget collard shirt, black slacks and low heels Turns out I got the job Thanks Soft Skills (Jlaan H.) Skills to Pay the Bills - Adopters Washington, DC Maryland Virginia Pennsylvania New York Alabama Kentucky South Carolina Ohio Texas South Dakota Florida Missouri Wisconsin California Skills to Pay the Bills - Adopters ODEPs Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success curriculum, Skills to Pay the Bills Video Series and Discussion Guide Helping Youth Develop Soft Skills for Job Success: Tips for Parents and Families InfoBrief Soft Skills Podcast series,youth.info/podcast/helping-youth-develop-soft-skills-for-job-successhttp://www.ncwd- youth.info/podcast/helping-youth-develop-soft-skills-for-job-success 31 Soft Skills Related Resources Disability Disclosure Resources The 411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Youth with Disabilities,disclosurehttp://www.ncwd-youth.info/411-on-disability- disclosure The 411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Families, Educators, Youth Service Professionals, and Adult Allies Who Care About Youth with Disabilities,on-disability-disclosure-for-adultshttp://www.ncwd-youth.info/411- on-disability-disclosure-for-adults Cyber Disclosure for Youth with Disabilities,youth.info/cyber-disclosurehttp://www.ncwd- youth.info/cyber-disclosure Disability Disclosure Videos, Disability Inquiries in the Workforce Investment System 32 Thank You! Tell us how you use the curriculum at Tell us how you use the curriculum at To contact meme at or To contact meme at or 202 ToTo learn more information about employment and youth with disabilities, please take a look at: