Monthly Archives August 2014

Our August Spotlight! is shining brightly on four KRA Corporation staff members selected to participate in the first 12-month cycle of the National Association of Workforce Development Professional’s (NAWDP) New and Emerging Professionals (NEP) initiative. The August 27, 2014, kick-off meeting marked the beginning of a fantastic opportunity for these KRA staffers, all NAWDP members under the age of 35, to participate in an intensive program— comprised  of special projects and collaborative and networking activities—to expand their skills and to assist NAWDP in addressing issues that are most critical for workforce professionals new to the field. Based on applications submitted
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Leonard had worked as a Gardener for the same company for 14 years before his lay-off.  Lack of a job with steady income resulted in losing his housing, all of which fueled feelings of despair and uncertainty for the 56-year old. Distraught over his situation—homeless and unemployed despite repeated attempts to find employment—Leonard enrolled in the Job Skills Training Directly Related to Employment Program, operated by KRA Corporation for the Camden County Workforce Investment Board. With guidance provided by Petra Cantu, KRA Career Agent, and pre-employment training provided by Deshia Fontenot, KRA Instructor, Leonard eagerly embraced his Job-Readiness Workshops, learning effective
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“Tory” was 37, a single mother of three—and a substance abuser—when she enrolled in PGWorks, operated by KRA Corporation for the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services. Ashelley Wilder, KRA Career Agent, reported, ” Tory had no trouble gaining employment; her problem was maintaining it.  Along with KRA’s job-readiness and placement program, I insisted she seek help immediately through two referrals—our County Department of Health’s Children and Parents [CAP] program, and Rehabilitation Systems, Inc. [RSI].” Through CAP, Tory receives comprehensive addiction abatement, mental health, and case management services, and RSI—which promotes family participation in the client’s recovery process—provides parenting skills,
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With a BS in Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics; an MBA in Administration/Marketing; and a good job with a 75-year old, multinational IT company, the unthinkable happened to Asok Raut—he was let go.  Overnight, he became a Dislocated Worker, and over time a Long Term Unemployed (LTU) jobseeker. Vonnie Davis, Career Agent, San Diego Metro Region Career Centers—operated by KRA Corporation for the San Diego Workforce Partnership—reported, “Asok diligently sought employment in his field, Chemistry, but in an extremely depressed economy, his efforts had not meet with success.” Working with Patricia Devereaux, KRA Business Service Representative, Asok honed his job-search skills,
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Kimberly Staley, Vice President and Director of Client Services, has been elected by the Board of Directors of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) to serve on the Executive Committee, a standing body that provides “a decision-making mechanism between Board meetings to deal with urgent business of the organization as required and develop and recommend policies to the Board.” Kimberly has been a member of the NAWDP Board, representing Connecticut, since 2011, participating on the Certification and Membership Committee, as well as serving as Chair of the Membership Committee—a position to which she was re-appointed to serve another year—and the New and
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John, a Construction worker for 34 years, had always wanted to go to college.  So, after being laid off by his last employer, he figured there was no better time, enrolling at a Community College for an AA degree in Applied Science Computer Information Systems, and then matriculating at Rutgers University, graduating with a BS degree in Accounting. Seven years later, at age 60—with two degrees to his credit, but still unemployed 3 months after graduation—John enrolled in the Job Skills Training Directly Related to Employment Program, operated by KRA Corporation for the Camden County Workforce Investment Board, to get
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Recently, Congressman Joe Courtney, D-2nd District of Connecticut, visited CTWorks, operated by KRA Corporation for Capital Workforce Partners, to talk about the newly-authorized Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA), discussing how WIOA, an overhaul of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, governs $6.2 billion in funds for job-training, job programs for disadvantaged youth, and other  workforce-services support for jobseekers. Courtney, a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, told the assemblage that, in addition to revised accountability standards, the Youth Build Program will be strengthened to ensure that training is targeted for in-demand jobs, and that 75 percent of those served are
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Catrina Cook, 43, enrolled in the TANF Employment Program—operated by KRA Corporation for the DC Department of  Human Services—and knew exactly what she wanted …to return to a career she loved in Security Services. Collaborating with Gay Twyman, KRA Career Agent, Catrina developed an Individual Responsibility Plan that included intensive coaching in the most effective strategies for preparing job applications and searching for jobs. Twyman reported, “After 10 years in security, Catrina found herself unemployed and unable to find a job in the field.  So, to provide for herself and six kids, she took a job, for 6 years, working
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The KRA Employee Recognition Awards acknowledge and applaud those employees whose performance goes above-and-beyond in consistently ensuring, first, that KRA achieves its mission to prepare jobseekers for today’s global economy and supply employers with a trained and reliable workforce and, second, propels the organization forward in achieving… Strategic and operational goals; Excellence in customer service, service delivery, and technology utilization; Higher productivity; Enhanced collaboration and success for interdisciplinary work teams; and A stronger culture of creativity, innovation, and initiative. Being nominated for an Employee Recognition Award is the highest possible indication that KRA’s Corporate Leaders, Program Managers, Team Supervisors, clients,
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