Competency Area V: Workforce Preparation

V.1 Ability to facilitate job readiness skill-building and assess employability strengths/barriers

Learning Objectives

• V.1.1 Identify, use, evaluate, and promote youth job readiness skill-building and assess employability strengths/barriers appropriate for various work settings

Selected Activities

• List and describe current successful community job readiness skill-building activities and programs
• Visit jobsetc.ca and take some of the interactive quizzes to get ideas for self discovery programs
• Develop a job readiness skill assessment survey using local labor market information, case study information, and the demographics of the youth your organization works with.
• Based on the survey results from item #2 above, list and describe several program ideas to meet the needs of this population

Demonstration of Learning - Show What You Know!

• Identify or develop a survey that will assess individual employability strengths/barriers
• Develop program strategies that will promote the development of job-readiness skills

Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners

• National Youth Employment Coalition. (n.d.). PEPNet Online Index to Quality Practices.
• O’Sullivan, K., & Wernick, E. (Eds.). Chapter 4: Deciding HOW to Meausure Results. In From Data to Results: The PEPNet Guide to Measuring and Improving Performance in Youth Programs. Washington, DC: National Youth Employment Coalition.

Other Resources

• America's Job Bank (2005).
• Annie E. Casey Foundation Publications (n.d.).
• INFINITEC.org (n.d.). Portal to Job Awareness Websites.
• Kerka, S. (1990). Job-Related Basic Skills. ERIC Digest No. 94.
• Literacy Works. (2004). Adult Literacy and Education Internet Resource.
• Literacy Works (n.d.).
• Literacy Works Resources and Publications (n.d.).
• Louisian Public Broadcasting. (2004). Workplace Essential Skills.
• Smith, R. (200). Life skills and career guidance software.
• State Policy Documentation Project (1999). State Work Requirements: Job Readiness Document . State Work Requirements: Job Readiness Document .
• Support for Learning. (2005). Online tests, assessment tools & assessment centres for career planning, job search, learning and work.
• US Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families. (2005). Innovative Employment Programs.
• Workshops, Inc. (1998). Life Skills for Vocational Success.

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V.2 Ability to teach job search skills, including use of technology and the Internet

Learning Objectives

• V.2.1 Facilitate search skills, including use of technology and the Internet

Selected Activities

• Visit Monster.com's interactive tools site and try the random question interview generator, the resume readiness quiz, perfect career quiz, and other interactive tools
• List and describe several career search resources that you can use with your organizational population
• Assist in the drafting of resumes and perform mock interviews

Demonstration of Learning - Show What You Know!

• Demonstrate ability to conduct small group work-readiness training, using available curriculum, modified as needed to fit the audience (satisfactory training is based on student evaluations)
• Develop and maintain an updated resource list related to search strategies and resources for career skills, readiness and skill-building.
• Demonstrate the ability to search for jobs using Internet resources

Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners

• National Youth Employment Coalition. (n.d.). PEPNet Online Index to Quality Practices.

Other Resources

• Ball State University (n.d.). Career Center Resources.
• CareerBuilder.com (n.d.).
• Hoffman, A. (2005). Show Your Skills on Your IT Resume. Monster.com.
• Job Bank (2005). Skills for Job Retention.
• Maze Master (2005). Job Search Techniques.
• Ministry of Education, Ontario (2005). Job Search Skills.
• Ministry of Education, Ontario (2005). Job Search Tools Portal.
• Monster.com (n.d.).
  • Interactive tools site.
  • Random question interview generator.
  • Resume readiness quiz.
  • Perfect career quiz.
• NextSteps.org (n.d.). Job Search Strategies Module.
• NIEFS (n.d.). Job Search Skills Portal.
• O*NET (n.d.). O*NET Online.
• USAJOBS (n.d.).
• VA Tech (2005). Job Search Tools and Skills Resources.

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V.3 Ability to coach youth, assist in job maintenance, and provide follow-up support

Learning Objectives

• V.3.1 Develop, implement, and monitor strategies to help youth in job maintenance

Selected Activities

• Talk to employers who you have worked with in the past, and learn how your organization can support them in implementing strategies to assist youth in job maintenance

Demonstration of Learning - Show What You Know!

• Develop a plan of youth job maintenance and follow-up strategies

Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners

• National Youth Employment Coalition. (n.d.). PEPNet Online Index to Quality Practices, 2.9 (transition support).

Other Resources

• Smith, R. (2004). Assessing your maintenance training needs.
• University of Iowa (2004). Job Coach.
• Weinstein, H. (2005). Mentoring, coaching, and performance reviews: clarification for managers.

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V.4 Ability to match youth with appropriate jobs and careers, including job analysis and skills standards

Learning Objectives

• V.4.1 List and describe strategies that help enable you to match youth with appropriate jobs and careers, including job analysis and skills standards

Selected Activities

• Explore Monster.com's perfect career quiz and other interactive tools that help match preferences and skill standards with jobs and careers

Demonstration of Learning - Show What You Know!

• Develop an individualized plan that uses information from career interest and skills assessment tools to identify jobs
• Prepare a matrix that can be used as a guide to match youth with appropriate jobs and careers, including job analysis and skills standards
• Create position descriptions using job analysis skills

Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners

• Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). (2005). Job Analysis: An Important Employment Tool.
• Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). (2005). National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth -- About ODEP & ODEP Grants, Activities, & Programs.

Other Resources

• ARCH (2004). A Legal Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities.
• US. Department of Labor (2003). Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities.
• Ball State University (n.d.). Career Center Resources.
• CareerBuilder.com (n.d.).
• CareerOneStop Staff Coach (n.d.).
• Hoffman, A. (2005). Show Your Skills on Your IT Resume. Monster.com.
• Job Bank (2005). Skills for Job Retention.
• Maze Master (2005). Job Search Techniques.
• Ministry of Education, Ontario (2005). Job Search Skills.
• Ministry of Education, Ontario (2005). Job Search Tools Portal.
• Monster.com (n.d.).
  • Random question interview generator.
  • Resume readiness quiz.
  • Perfect career quiz.
  • Other interactive tools.
NextSteps.org (n.d.). Job Search Strategies Module.
• NIEFS (n.d.). Job Search Skills Portal.
• O*NET (n.d.). O*NET Online.
• USAJOBS (n.d.).
• VA Tech (2005). Job Search Tools and Skills Resources.

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V.5 Ability to involve employers in preparation process

Learning Objectives

• V.5.1 Facilitate and support collaborative involvement of employers in job preparation process

Selected Activities

• Research employers in your community who support youth related activities. Talk to them about why they are involved and help them connect their interests to your organization

Demonstration of Learning - Show What You Know!

• Demonstrate mock interviews with local employers in preparation process
• Identify employers to serve as curriculum advisors, speakers, work experience sites, or to help in other ways

Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners

• National Youth Employment Coalition. (n.d.). PEPNet Online Index to Quality Practices, 2.8 (employer engagement).
• Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). (2005). National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth -- About ODEP & ODEP Grants, Activities, & Programs.

Other Resources

• ARCH (2004). A Legal Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities.
• Ball State University (n.d.). Career Center Resources.
• CareerBuilder.com (n.d.).
• CareerOneStop Staff Coach (n.d.).
• Hoffman, A. (2005). Show Your Skills on Your IT Resume. Monster.com.
• Job Bank (2005). Skills for Job Retention.
• Maze Master (2005). Job Search Techniques.
• Ministry of Education, Ontario (2005). Job Search Skills.
• Ministry of Education, Ontario (2005). Job Search Tools Portal.
• Monster.com (n.d.).
  • Random question interview generator.
  • Resume readiness quiz.
  • Perfect career quiz. 4 December, 2006//tools.monster.com/archives/">Other interactive tools.
• NextSteps.org (n.d.). Job Search Strategies Module.
• NIEFS (n.d.). Job Search Skills Portal.
• O*NET (n.d.). O*NET Online.
• USAJOBS (n.d.).
• VA Tech (2005). Job Search Tools and Skills Resources.

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V.6.D Ability to conduct job analysis, matching, customizing, and carving for youth with disabilities, including accommodations, supports, and modifications

Learning Objectives

• V.6.D.1 Use and describe multiple methods to assess, collect, analyze, and interpret job analysis, matching/customizing outcomes for youth with disabilities, including accommodations, supports, and modifications with possible job descriptions

Selected Activities

• Produce a short newsletter or e-letter for youth that includes information on market trends.

Demonstration of Learning - Show What You Know!

• Visit O*NET OnLine, choose an in-demand occupation and create a matrix of four different types of disabilities and the accomodations, supports, and modifications that a person with each disability may need to succeed in that occupation

Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners

• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (n.d.). HOT TOPIC: Work-Based Learning.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (n.d.). WORKING WITH EMPLOYERS – WORKPLACE SUCCESS .
• Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). (2005). National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth -- About ODEP & ODEP Grants, Activities, & Programs.

Other Resources

• ARCH (2004). A Legal Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities.
• Ball State University (n.d.). Career Center Resources.
• CareerBuilder.com (n.d.).
• CareerOneStop Staff Coach (n.d.).
• Hoffman, A. (2005). Show Your Skills on Your IT Resume. Monster.com.
• The Job Accomodation Network (JAN).
• Job Bank (2005). Skills for Job Retention.
• Maze Master (2005). Job Search Techniques.
• Ministry of Education, Ontario (2005). Job Search Skills.
• Ministry of Education, Ontario (2005). Job Search Tools Portal.
• Monster.com (n.d.).
  • Random question interview generator.
  • Resume readiness quiz.
  • Perfect career quiz.
  • Other interactive tools.
• NextSteps.org (n.d.). Job Search Strategies Module.
• NIEFS (n.d.). Job Search Skills Portal.
• O*NET (n.d.). O*NET Online.
• USAJOBS (n.d.).
• VA Tech (2005). Job Search Tools and Skills Resources.

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V.7.D Knowledge of support required to place youth in jobs, including what employers need to know about reasonable accommodations, undue burden, assistive technology, funding streams, and tax incentives

Learning Objectives

• V.7.D.1 Maintain an inclusive and cohesive list and descriptions of support required to place youth in jobs, including what employers need to know about reasonable accommodations, undue burden, assistive technology, funding streams, and tax incentives

Selected Activities

• List support options required to place youth in jobs. Including:
  • what employers need to know about reasonable accommodations
  • undue burden
  • assistive technology
  • funding streams
  • tax incentives

Demonstration of Learning - Show What You Know!

• Create employer information packets concerning the ten most common disabilities among youth placed in jobs by your organization. Packets should include what employers need to know about reasonable accommodations, undue burden, assistive technology, funding streams, and tax incentives. You may want to visit The Job Accomodations Network (JAN) website for information about job-specific accomodation information.

Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners

• Burns, B.J., & Goldman, S.K. (Eds.) (1999). Promising practices in wraparound for children with Serious Emotional Disturbance and their families.
• Hernandez, B., Keys, C., & Balcazar, F. (2000). Employer attitudes toward workers with disabilities and their ADA employment rights: A literature review - Americans with Disabilities Act.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Adults (NCWD/Adults).
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2005). Breaking Down Technological Barriers.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (n.d.). Employer Page.
• Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). (2005). National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth -- About ODEP & ODEP Grants, Activities, & Programs.
• The Pacer Center’s Project Swift. (2004). Building Program Capacity to Serve Youth with Disabilities – ADA – Title I, Employment and Reasonable Accommodations in the Workplace.
• The Pacer Center’s Project Swift. (2004). Building Program Capacity to Serve Youth with Disabilities – The Wonders and Relevance of Assistive Technology.

Other Resources

• APSE. Supported Employment Informational Website.
• ARCH (2004). A Legal Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities.
• Ball State University (n.d.). Career Center Resources.
• CareerBuilder.com (n.d.).
• CareerOneStop Staff Coach (n.d.).
• Hoffman, A. (2005). Show Your Skills on Your IT Resume. Monster.com.
• The Job Accomodation Network (JAN).
• Job Bank (2005). Skills for Job Retention.
• Maze Master (2005). Job Search Techniques.
• Ministry of Education, Ontario (2005). Job Search Skills.
• Ministry of Education, Ontario (2005). Job Search Tools Portal.
• Monster.com (n.d.).
  • Random question interview generator.
  • Resume readiness quiz.
  • Perfect career quiz.
  • Other interactive tools.
• NextSteps.org (n.d.). Job Search Strategies Module.
• NIEFS (n.d.). Job Search Skills Portal.
• O*NET (n.d.). O*NET Online.
• USAJOBS (n.d.).
• VA Tech (2005). Job Search Tools and Skills Resources.

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