Employment Preparation Workshop
A Modified Version of Job Club for Pre-Literate Monolingual Clients
1. General
Effective August 2006, CalWORKs Employment Services (CWES) staff may refer all pre-literate monolingual Vietnamese or Spanish speaking clients who are seeking employment to the Employment Connection Centers (ECCs).
The primary goal for the referral of these Pre/Limited Literacy clients to ECCs is to assist these clients in obtaining employment. A bilingual Employment Counselor will be assigned to work with this group of clients.
ECs will monitor the hours of participation, provide job search preparation and job search tools for a period not to exceed six weeks. This period will consist of an initial four week referral, with the possibility of an optional two week extension. At different stages during this activity, ECs will evaluate skills levels, communication and job interests. A case conference may be called upon with ET for progress status and recommendation.
2. Referral
Case Managers will screen these clients, focusing on those who express interest only in seeking employment and after ESL/VESL training options have been explored and declined. Level of literacy may be determined as able to read and write in their primary language, able to communicate minimally in English. CM will select sessions in CalWIN to schedule these referrals. (Las Plumas will hold one session in Spanish per month. Senter Road will hold one session in Vietnamese per month)
3. Job Club
This is a modified mini version of the regular Job Club. The bilingual Workshop Facilitator will discuss rules and regulations of CalWORKs program, review support services and cover “House rules” (please refer to Attachment 1 EC Networking Rules). In this modified version of Job Club, client will learn how to complete job applications (provided they have some level of literacy), prepare for interviews, build self-esteem and locate job openings. Optional is the resume preparation for clients with previous work history. This modified Job Club is a required activity.
4. Job Search/Networking
Job Search may last up to three weeks, unless employment is obtained prior to the end of this session. The Employment Counselor in collaboration with the Marketing Unit/Job Developer will work closely with the clients to assist them in finding a job. Clients will be given job leads, have access to job listings, resource materials, telephone banks and fax machines to assist with the job search.
The assigned EC will meet with these clients on the first day of Networking and provide an Orientation. The Orientation will consist of the standard Networking Orientation, conducted in their primary language.
a. Orientation
Orientation consists of a thorough explanation of the expectations of the client during his/her participation in Networking. The EC will:
· explain the purpose and proper completion of the Pinkie SC 1765
· explain the required hours of participation
· explain the participation policy
· work with the client on a weekly plan for job search
· provide client with employment resource information (job leads, Marketing employer presentation calendar, One-Stop job fairs, …)
· evaluate client’s readiness for employment. For clients who are not job-ready, EC will refer back to ET for next activity with appropriate recommendations,
· assess and develop job search strategies with the client.
b. Master Application
The assigned EC will assist the client in preparing an Employment Connection Master Application based on the client’s work history.
c. Interview Preparation
EC will review with the client the Common Interview Questions and the “do’s and dont’s” of a Job Interview.
d. Resume Preparation
EC will directly assist clients who have held paid or unpaid jobs with the development of a suitable resume for submission to potential employers. A copy of the resume will remain in the client’s file for reference.
e. Documentation of Hours
Pinkies will be collected on Friday and submitted for IDM. EC will review pinkie and record client’s attendance in CalWIN.
f. Ancillary Services
EC will review ancillary services such as Career Closet, transportation, employment incentives, CHAT referrals... with clients.
g. Employer “Hello” Phone Line and Center Resources
EC will review with clients access and usage of the Centers’ “Hello” phone line, computer lab, copier, faxes and telephones.
h. Employment
Placement will be recorded in OpenRoad and emailed to CM.
i. Extensions and Recommendations
Voluntary Extension request will be on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the EC. If extension of two weeks is not granted, client will be referred back to CM for next activity (see Handbook Section 7.7.2.2.).
j. Termination/Completion
At completion of Job Search Networking, if client has not obtained employment EC can make the following recommendations:
· refer back to CM for next activity.
· refer to Assessment for formal evaluation
· or refer to attend literacy in their primary language concurrently with ESL
NOTE: This Employment Preparation Workshop will be conducted in the primary language of the pre-literate monolingual clients.
3 8/23/2006