1. Overcoming Barriers to Employment

2. What are the barriers? Audience Survey
Age
Job search skills
Criminal record
Lacks basic and employability skills
Disabilities
Limited English proficiency
Disadvantaged background
Long-term welfare recipient
Domestic violence
Mental illness
Drug and/or alcohol abuse
Needs training
Education
Needs child care assistance
Employer biases
No high school diploma
Has a child with special needs
No transportation
Housing issues or homelessness
Gaps in employment

3. Education and Wages
Supports continued need for High School Diploma plus
training even in changing labor market

4. How do we Prepare Individuals to be Successful?
Understand what employers are seeking especially for entry level job seekers
Use Assessment tools when indicated
Strategies to address individual barriers to employment such as criminal backgrounds
Utilize training options and community resources to assist individuals in building their career path

5. What do Employers Want?

6. Top 3 List Soft Skills Needed Source: Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder
73% Work Ethic
73% Dependability
72% Positive Attitude

7. How to Demonstrate Soft Skills
Use descriptions of prior work duties that incorporate soft skills
Examples:
Led a team or worked with a team……
Received recognition for……
Consistently completed all tasks….
Demonstrated commitment to…….

8. I have no idea what kind of job – I just need a job
Assessments help identify the person’s strongest skills and focus the job search
Use assessments and career coaching to set realistic expectations and develop a career plan

9. When to Use Assessments
NCWorks System (ncworks.gov) – Numerous assessments
CFNC-Adult learner portion of the site can assist any job seeker wanting to explore specific industries; utilize for degree related career exploration
O’Net - Looking for a career change or totally different field of work
Employability Skills Inventory – Requires average reading level to identify skills & skills gaps
Work Readiness Inventory- Use with job seekers with little or no experience and limited academic skills

10. I don’t hear back – No one responds to my resume or application
Help job seekers stand out
Traditional Workforce 2020
Security Flexibility
Promotion ladder Career Navigation
Job Description Work Portfolio
Employment History Applicant Tracking Systems
Annual Review Personal Branding

11. Personal Branding
Personal Branding is an on-going process of establishing a certain image in the mind of others
LinkedIn Profile
Social Media Personal Accounts
Networking
Elevator Pitch

12. No one will hire me because of my criminal background
Source: Michael Thomas, Project Re-entry Program Coordinator
No one is “owed a second opportunity” philosophy
Advice for job searching for the former offender
The Power of Networking for the former offender

13. Community College Resources
The Human Resources Development (HRD) program is designed to educate and train individuals who are unemployed and underemployed. It provides training, counseling, and assistance with placement in either employment or additional education.
Fee Waived:
Unemployed
Received notification of a pending layoff
Working and eligible for Federal Earned Income Tax (FEIT) credit
Working and earning wages at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines

14. Community College Resources
Community College Short Term Training
Small Business Center

15. Community Partners Goodwill Workforce Development Services
Goodwill Online Training - GCFlearnfree.org
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
NCWorks Career Centers
Community Colleges
Former Offender Resources
Adult Literacy
Senior Community Services
Career Technical Education

16. Veterans Credits for prior learning Benefits Veteran Reps
Need for housing
Mental health counseling
Other Resources

17. I Don’t Have the Skills Needed
Work Experience
On-the-Job Training (OJT)
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
Apprenticeship
Career Pathways

18. Contacts
Sherry Carpenter Vice-President, Workforce Development Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC, Inc. Caroline Brigmon NCWorks Regional Operations Director Piedmont/Triad Zone NC Department of Commerce