Keeping Employers Engaged An Example of an Advisory Committee December 13 th, 2011 Kira Khazatsky, Director, JVS Boston

JVS Boston Community Based Organization Boston, MA, 71 yrs old, Workforce Development Our mission is to empower individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers, and to partner with employers to hire, develop, and retain productive workforces.

My role at JVS 15 Employer Based Training and Education Programs Primarily in Healthcare, Hospitality and Retail  ESOL  GED  English for Academic Success  Computer Literacy and MOS Certification  Pre-College Reading, Writing and Math  Academic and Career Coaching  Tutoring  Specialized classes (ex. CPD, Billing and Coding) Over 1,200 participants served annually

English for College Tutoring Coaching College Readiness NursingAllied Health Student Support Computer Training College Prep ESOL GED/ABE Healthcare Training Institute

Healthcare Training Institute HTI Healthcare Training Institute Advisory Committee 4 major hospitals, 1 long-term care, 1 human services Meets every 8-10 weeks Workforce Development and HR represented JVS is the lead organization

Our Philosophy Employers are the customer Employers are the gateway to participants Employers have the ability to hire, promote, retain and engage employees in education Employers need skilled worker Advisory agenda driven by employers and JVS

Our Philosophy Business needs drive the process Vacancies and hiring criteria Employer expansion or layoff Critical issues in the hospitals H1N1 (hand sanitizer) Sick calls (class cancelled) Computer training Microsoft office certification Basic computer class

Our Philosophy Education of employers on adult learning Transparency Length of time Pre and post testing Curriculum

Agenda Items Workplace needs analysis Program content Employer input Service feedback Monthly adjustments Quarterly outcomes Yearly accountability Systems Change Education

Why Do Employers Participate? Networking opportunity To hear what others are doing Share best practices Increased staff loyalty and retention More highly skilled workforce Employer of choice Improved quality of care Filling hiring needs The greater good