“Delivering an Effective Work Experience

Program”

Jody A. TonerWORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA, Special

Projects Director

December 16, 2010

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

Key Ingredients

• Solid project design • Effective outreach

campaign• Extensive staff training • Dedicated project team • Employer Relationships

Key Ingredients

• Board involvement • Accountability and

accessibility• Pre-Inspection worksite

visits• Comprehensive

monitoring structure

Key Ingredients• Low staff : participant

ratios • Strict worksite supervisor :

intern ratios• Formal intern performance

evaluation process

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

Program Facts• Funded through WIA• Paid internships • Employers write the job

descriptions and make candidate selections

Program Facts• Payroll methods: Direct

deposit or Pay Partners • WCF is the employer of

record• Variety of models based on

programmatic design

WCF’s Work Experience Initiatives

Work Experience Initiatives

• Three WIA funded initiatives:–Re-Employment

Connection–CAREER TRACK

Connection–Summer Job Connection

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

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

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

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

Worksites

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

Top

20

O

ccu

pati

on

s

• 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

• 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recruitment Events• Employers make candidate

selections • Employer feedback

phenomenal– Job seekers exposed to real

world experiences• Worksite referral form-

carbon copy

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

Job Seekers

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

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

WC

F’s

Sta

tsProgram Online

Applications

Enrollments

Performance Goals

REC - Job Seekers

6,262 12/7/10:862

Multi PY goal: 1126

•Placements: 262• 48% with host

worksite

REC - Employers

267 201 •Over 862 intern positions have been developed

• Non Profit:  49.6%• Government:  14.7%• Private:  35.7%

WC

F’s

Sta

tsProgram Online

Applications

Enrollments

Performance Goals

SJC 2009- Youth

6,421 1,200 •Work Readiness Goal – 95%•32 placements at host worksite

SJC 2009- Employers

429 225 N/A

SJC 2010- Youth

3,712 754 Work Readiness Goal – 89%Positive Outcome Rate- 85%

SJC 2010 Employers

217 132 N/A

Measure Success• Utilize a variety of media:

video, newsletters, letters, etc.

• Share with key stakeholders

• SJC Video documentary 2009 & 2010

Measure Success• Capturing success stories

and posting on our website• Annual “Awards of

Excellence” for worksites and interns

• Performance goals

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”

Resource LinksDescription Link

WCF website www.WorkforceCentralFlorida.com

WCF’s Internship page

http://www.workforcecentralflorida.com/employer/employer-services/internships/

Employer Online Application

www.WorkforceCentralFlorida.com/ReEmploymentConnection

Employer FAQ’s

http://www.workforcecentralflorida.com/employer/employer-services/internships/re-employment-connection/faq.stml

Re-Employment Connection

http://www.workforcecentralflorida.com/employer/employer-services/internships/re-employment-connection/

CAREER TRACK Connection

http://www.workforcecentralflorida.com/employer/employer-services/internships/career-track-connection.stml

Success Stories

http://www.workforcecentralflorida.com/about-us/success-stories/

Questions