1. Individual Training Grants (ITG) Case Conference Model: Getting the Right Skills for the Right Jobseekers May 19, 2009

2. Agenda Workforce1 Career Centers Overview of Case Conference Model Focus on Assessment Collective Decision-Making Balancing Business Driven System with High Jobseeker Demand Management of Case Conference Model Replicating the Case Conference Model

3. Workforce1 Career Center Locations Workforce1 Career Centers, operated in each borough of the City by leading non- profit and for-profit service providers, offer a full range of free employment and training services to jobseekers and businesses. In 2008, our eight Career Centers saw about 100,000 customers, providing workshops, pre-vocational skills training, on-site recruitments and job referral services in a professional setting. Upper Manhattan Brooklyn Staten Island Queens CUNY LaGuardia Hunts Point Overview Bronx Workforce1 Career Centers

4. Services to Business and Jobseeker Customers Workforce1 Career Centers

5. Increasing Pool of Trained Jobseekers Fiscal Year Training Funds IssuedJobseekers Trained 2008 3,700 2009 $14 million6,000 2010 $20 million10,000 * FY 2009 and 2010 statistics are projections based on current system performance and budget $9.2 million

6. Case Conference Model The Case Conference Model is a sequenced assessment and decision-making process used to identify jobseekers who should receive an Individual Training Grant (ITG) and will be able to complete training and find a job after a training. Occupational Training Customer is missing key skills or certifications and has the prerequisites to succeed in the training and become employed or advance in career Skills taught in training are in demand by employers and fill the customers skill gaps. Customer is ready for employment or advancement

7. Case Conference Model Give Career Advisors explicit tools to use in assessing customers and helping guide them in their path to employment Create incentives for Center Managers to oversee assessment quality and institute accountability for outcomes of ITGs Develop standardized assessments across the Workforce1 Career Center system that lead to the most effective investments in training Emphasis on Customer Assessment Select strongest candidates for ITGs Ensure ITGs are only issued when training will lead to employment Create a system where Workforce1 Career Centers are advocates for their jobseekers and use collective decision- making Goal Process

8. Case Conference Model Individual Employment Plan Occupational Research Worksheet Growth Occupations List Assessment for Employment Assessment for Training Case Conference Individual Employment Plan Training Provider Research Worksheet Growth Occupations List Career Advisors discuss ITG requests and decision is made based on likelihood training will result in employment Orientation Customers receive initial assessment; referred to Career Advisor Customer Participation in Assessment Process Customers actively participate in assessment through: occupational research, identification of jobs training will qualify the customer for and training provider research.

9. Case Conference Model Assessment Tools Tool Purpose Content Occupational Research Worksheet Identification of skills needed to get a job in this field Identification of skills gap between job requirements and customers current skills Search for jobs customer could get after training To help customers learn about occupations so they can select the right one for them To help customers identify what skills they need to learn to work in this occupation Training Provider Research Worksheet via NYC Training Guide To help customers learn about a variety of training options To help customers select the course and school most likely to prepare them with the skills needed for employment Comparison of three training courses (location, course description, price, etc.) Explanation of how the course will provide needed skills ProveIt! Occupational and behavioral tests To supplement the Career Advisors assessment by objectively testing customer skill levels Career Compass Compilation of labor market information and training curriculums To enhance knowledge about occupational requirements leading to a better match between customer needs and training courses supported by ITGs

10. Case Conference Model Collective Decision-Making Connection of Training to Employability Is the career goal appropriate for the customers skills and qualifications? Will the training help the customer become employed? Appropriateness of Course Selection Is the course at the appropriate level for the customer? Is the course eligible to receive ITGs? Likelihood Customer Will Complete Training Has the customer demonstrated motivation through the assessment process? Does the customer have barriers that will interfere with completing training? Each center holds a weekly case conference for Career Advisors to discuss potential ITG customers and work together to determine who is appropriate for training by assessing:

11. Case Conference Model Career Advisor Responsibilities Task Benefits Type of Process Explain ITG policies and Case Conference Model ITG Workshop Help customers complete occupational and training provider research ITG Technical Assistance Labs Assess appropriateness for training and employment One-on-One Meetings Determine which jobseekers should receive ITG Case Conference Reengage jobseekers for employment Phone/Email Jobseekers connected to real jobs after training Increases number of jobseekers who begin ITG assessment process at same time Jobseekers benefit from others questions Jobseekers receive help without needing to wait for an appointment Career Advisors use IEP, jobseeker research and assessment tools to determine if training will help jobseeker get a job Increases likelihood that jobseeker will succeed at training and job search Career Advisors share information about industry standards and training curriculum Collective decision-making improves assessment skills

12. Case Conference Model Revised Customer Flow with Group Processes ITG Workshop Occupational and Training Provider Research Career Advisor Meeting Case Conference Customer receives information on purpose of ITGs to meet employment goals and process for applying for ITG. Research worksheets are disseminated. Customer completes occupational research using Growth Occupation List and recent job postings. Customer searches for training course on Training Guide and chooses course. Customer receives help with research during ITG Technical Assistance Lab if needed. Career Advisor reviews research and assesses customer. Individual Employment Plan is completed. Customer receives voucher if training will lead to employment or advancement.

13. Balancing Business Driven System with High Jobseeker Demand 90% course completion rate Customers make more informed decisions about training options Centers use case conference to manage allocation improving ability to connect customers to job orders after training Successes Increased Training Opportunities for Jobseekers Increase in Workload Higher volume of customers creates strain on staff resources Requirement for customers to visit Training Providers prior to receiving an ITG requires multiple visits to center Weekly case conference could become too time-consuming for Career Advisors Risks 50% increase in training available from Fiscal Year 2008 to Fiscal Year 2009. More flexible processes that balance value of Case Conference Model with increased workload needed

14. Balancing Business Driven System with High Jobseeker Demand Drivers Security Guards Customer Service Representatives Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Case Conference Express: Efficient Issuance Represents 37% of FY 2008 Issuance Customers do no need to be discussed in case conference if training is for one of the five Express occupations chosen due to clear connections between customer qualifications, training and employment outcomes

15. Balancing Business Driven System with High Jobseeker Demand ITG Workshop or Career Advisor Meeting Occupational and Training Provider Research Occupational Research simplified to focus on job postings customer will be prepared for after training Customer is no longer required to visit Training Provider site Career Advisor One-on-One Meeting Prospective ITG customers may be able to bypass discussion in weekly case conference Customer receives information about appropriateness for training and assessment process for ITGs Case Conference Express: More Efficient Customer Flow

16. Management of Case Conference Model Performance Management Structure Strategic Operating Plan Weekly ITG Issuance Report tracks progress towards issuance goals ITG Pipeline Report provides centers with roster of jobseekers completing training Annual and quarterly outcome goals aligned with systems business development and fulfillment goals Results impact vendors ability to contract with city Management Reports Technical Assistance Monthly system-wide technical assistance calls include policy updates and best practice sharing Monthly center-specific check-ins focus on performance goals SBS observes center processes; implements improvements as needed Voucher Approvals ITG vouchers have three stages of approval-- Career Advisor, Center Manager, SBSto ensure mutual accountability

17. Management of Case Conference Model By supporting individual assessments that emphasize the connection between training and employment, the Case Conference Modelcalled a promising practice by USDOLhas resulted in: Improved Training Outcomes Increased awareness about training provider curriculum Increased understanding of occupational requirements 90% training completion rate 50% placement rate within 90 days of course completion Improved Knowledge Improved Connection Between Training and Employment Requirement to participate in assessment prior to receiving an ITG fosters idea of training for employment Positive Impact

18. Management of Case Conference Model Success Story: Using ITGs for Career Advancement Health Care Career Ladder 42% Wage Gain Home Health Aide Trained by Employer $8.00 per hour ITG Course: Patient Care Technician Certified Nurses Assistant Trained with ITG $13.92 per hour When Ms. Griffiths came to the Brooklyn Workforce1 Career Center, she was working as a Home Health Aide at Beverly's Home Care for $8.00 an hour. She searched for a better- paying job but realized her options were limited due to her lack of training. In order for Ms. Griffiths to become more marketable, she needed to take a Patient Care Technician course. After registration and assessment, Ms. Griffiths was granted an Individual Training Grant to attend Daisley II Home Care Service for a Patient Care Tech/ Nurse Tech (PCA) course. Upon completion of this training, she immediately received an interview with Coler Goldwater Hospital. She is currently employed at the hospital as a Certified Nurses Assistant earning $13.92 an hour. This wage gain represents a 42% increase from her former position as a Home Health Aide.

19. Replicating the Case Conference Model Key Guidelines Training as a Tool for Employment Jobseekers are individually assessed to ensure they receive the training that fits their needs Jobseekers are only connected to training when it will help them find job or advance in their careers Strong Assessments Collective Decision-Making and Learning Career Advisors work together to understand occupational requirements and make appropriate training decisions Successful implementation of the Case Conference Model is driven by an emphasis on:

20. Replicating the Case Conference Model Tools in Packet Tool Purpose Content Occupational Research Worksheet Identification of skills needed to get a job in this field Identification of skills gap between job requirements and customers current skills Search for jobs customer could get after training To help customers learn about occupations so they can select the right one for them To help customers identify what skills they need to learn to work in this occupation Training Provider Research Worksheet To help customers learn about a variety of training options To help customers select the course and school most likely to prepare them with the skills needed for employment Comparison of three training courses (location, course description, price, etc.) Explanation of how the course will provide needed skills ITG Workshop Presentation Step-by-step explanation of customer responsibilities in Case Conference Model To introduce customers to ITGs and explain how they could be connected to training Frequently Asked Questions Guide to commonly asked questions To provide customers with a quick overview of ITGs