Case Studies

Co-Creators: Cherri Flinn, Catawba Region Business Solutions Consultant (serving the counties of Chester, Lancaster and York in South Carolina) and Tyler Calloway, Catawba Region Business Solutions Manager

Branded Project Name: Job Endurance Training (JET)

Core Problem: Through regional surveys, employers reported a lack of soft skills among both their skilled and unskilled workers as well as job seekers applying to their companies. This created challenges for job seekers who lacked a resume or a resume sufficient to pass through an Applicant Tracking System. Many lacked interviewing skills. There was also a gap for job seekers who lacked digital skills to apply for work online or navigate a virtual interview. The entire process created a bottle neck of job seekers who were skilled but hung up somewhere in the system because they were unable to properly apply for a job or successfully interview, onboard, and complete the first 90 days of employment. This situation affected a broad range of job seekers, as some were seeking their first jobs, others had been laid off after long-term employment, so their employment process had changed because of the digital landscape.

The Challenge: This project was born out of a request from the Catawba Regional Council of Governments (COG). The COG requested the creation of a soft skills training program for job seekers. The program was to teach 6 specific soft skills that Catawba-region employers indicated would be of benefit in the regional workforce.

Job Endurance Training

→ Case Study 1

Project: Soft Skills Training for job seekers

Objective: To provide job seekers with soft skills to acquire and maintain employment

Impact: Develop a process of training that would improve the soft skills of job seekers participating in On-the-Job Training (OJT) through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Clients

Business Partners

Tools

Research

JET was meant to empower job seekers through a process of self-awareness. By learning about the barriers to employment they could control, job seekers became better equipped to navigate gaining meaningful and sustainable employment.

To engage the job seekers, the sessions were taught in small group format with a set up similar to a trade show with their own books, information about other SC Works and community partners’ programs, as well as a bag and pen.

The idea was for the job seeker to feel valued and respected, and to gain professionalism in a workplace setting. So, the standard had to be set from the moment they walked into the classroom.

Deliverables & Artifacts

Sessions: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays (lunch provided), held twice monthly from 9 am - 1 pm
Facilities: The Business Technology Center (SC Works Conference Room)
Target Audience: Job seekers, unemployed, underemployed, long-term employed, and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) participants prior to training or introduction to the Business Solutions Team
Participant Incentives: A preferred pass “Gold Card” which assures early admission to all SC Works hiring events, providing exposure to employers and potential interviews
Pilot Program: This will be offered in several short abbreviated sessions for Workforce Partners and Business Partners to experience the process
Measures: Post surveys will be used after each pilot session for Workforce Partner and Business Partner input
Debrief: Upon survey completion and marketing report has been created, a debriefing will be used for discussion of any necessary and proposed changes to the program
Additional artifacts: Here are just a few photos taken from the first JET pilot session and an interactive activity related to teamwork. In all there were a total of 8 pilot sessions that included training, group discussion, self-assessments, and hands-on activities related to the module.
The postcard to the right was developed for case managers and partnering agencies to refer job seekers to the program. Each module had a facilitator who stood up most of the early session, led a PowerPoint, followed by a sit-down group discussion.
When possible, groups were kept to 8 people for more intense discussion, self-discovery, and for gaining more one-on-one assistance with resumes, interviewing, and general employment skills. All modules had a hands-on, highly interactive activity related to the theme to maintain attendee engagement.

Through discussion, surveys and interaction between the Catawba Regional Council of Governments, Economic Development and SC Works, a mutual goal was established to build a program that met the workforce needs of employers.

An employer survey indicated that the following soft skills were the most requested among the region’s employers. Thus, the program was built upon these 6 soft skill training modules as part of a multi-day training series.

→ Communication

→ Problem Solving

→ Conflict Resolution

→ Teamwork

→ Integrity

→ Time Management

Implementation: the JET Pilot Program

Outcomes

✔ Job Seekers who expressed interest in JET were allowed to enroll in the program. Also, those who were in WIOA and preparing for On-the-Job Training, enrolled in JET to gain employment skills, a more comprehensive education about the modern job search, digital application forms, the variety of interviewing skills (ie. phone screenings, virtual, panel, peer, etc), and the role of human resources in their employment journey. Job seekers also gained valuable skills such negotiation techniques, de-escalation tactics, strategic planning, and proper communication across organizational levels. The certificate they earned spelled out all 6 soft skills and they were allowed to attend hiring events an hour prior to the general public. Additionally, the Business Solutions Team slated hiring events targeting employers who were eager to interview and potentially hire those completing JET.

✔ Workforce Partners worked with job seekers who had major barriers to employment. The Partners were excited to send their clients to attend JET. Because of SC Works’ partnerships, this soft skills training was able to be offered to people who would benefit but otherwise miss the opportunity because they live in a homeless shelter or because they needed to reintegrate into the workforce.

Employers open to attending specialized hiring events for job seekers who attended JET. They reported that the job seekers were, overall, more professional, had their resumes in order, were interview-ready, and prepared to become employed because they understood the expectations and properly managed the onboarding process and successfully completing the first 90-days.

✔ JET - Driven Hiring Events for OJT were successfully rolled out and the first event held at York Technical College with 3 employers resulted in 9 job seekers being hired into roles they were interested in and prepared for. The event was set up similar to a “speed dating” situation with mini interviews with the employers as a whole panel, then followed with one-on-on interviews and conditional offers of employment.

✔ SC Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon was impressed with the program and made it a staple of training for those who would be considered “reentry” from incarceration or released on parole. The program was taught in a one-day classroom style setting.

✔ University of South Carolina - Lancaster used JET as part of a special program for student ambassador graduates. The soft skills course was taught and upon successful completion, students were invited to attend a luncheon to recognize their accomplishments. A pre-luncheon networking event for those attending JET enabled graduating students to network with regional employers who were prepared to meet the soon-to-be job seekers within their industry.

Awards

Job Endurance Training (JET) was awarded

🏆 2019 Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations
🏆 2019 Partnership Award from the SC Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services