Monthly Archives September 2014

Our current headline proudly joins two previous ones: December 31, 2012, KRA Employee Produces Videos for NAWDP, and June 3, 2013, KRA’s Seymour Creates Second NAWDP Plenary Video. For the  third year in a row, Joe Seymour has developed a creative, exciting, and truly inspirational video for the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, this time for its September 2014 Youth Development Symposium. Actually, Joe, a Trainer and Subject Matter Expert for CTWorks, a 37-town, multi-site One-Stop Career Center and TANF program operated by KRA Corporation for Capital Workforce Partners, has produced three prior videos for NAWDP Plenary Sessions:  May
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Aiesha, 37, mother of a 7-year old, graduated a local Career Institute with a Medical Office Assistant degree in May.  Anxious to find work, she enrolled the same month in the Community Work Experience/Job Skills Training Program, operated by KRA Corporation for the Camden County WIB. Encouraged by Stacy Kimbrough, KRA Career Agent, Aiesha enrolled in several workshops—Life Skills, Job-Application Assistance, Resume Preparation.  However, it was the hands-on Job–Search Techniques/Methodologies that opened her eyes to other career possibilities. Realizing that honed customer-service skills are essential in most business sectors, Aiesha decided to earn a Guest Service Gold Certification, training for
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On September 30, 2013, the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP) News headlined “Open – Bank of America Merrill Lynch Career Center, reporting, “The new San Diego Central Library…offers free career development services to job seekers…made possible through a $400,000 donation from Bank of America Merrill Lynch.” On the 5th floor, the CDL (Central Downtown Library) site is managed by KRA Corporation for the SDWP as a satellite of its multi-site San Diego Metro Region Career Centers operation, providing individual and small-group career counseling, job-skills training, and specialized services for Veterans and bilingual customers.  Job-Readiness Workshops (JRW) offer computer orientation, resume
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Our Spotlight! is shining brightly on a scenario created by a dedicated Career Agent, a  grateful jobseeker, and a strategic “e-source” growing in use among KRA Corporation programs across the country—accessing social networking sites (SNS) to assist customers in finding, applying for—and getting  jobs! A 2014 survey, conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, found that 77% of organizations use SNS for recruitment—compared to 56% in 2011, and 34% in 2008.  Also, 55% of employers say they plan to increase SNS outreach to tap qualified candidates.  Yet, on their own, only 29% of jobseekers are using SNS as their
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PGWorks, operated by KRA for the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services, provides recipients of public-assistance with intensive workforce-development services, including job placement—providing the “clock” hasn’t run out. Recently, Alicia Spriggs, Operations Manager, submitted to KRA News two customer-achievement stories, which on the surface appeared to be “business-as-usual”.  When interviewed,  she commented, “Contractually, KRA/PGWorks has 4 weeks to orient, assess, prepare, and place our customers.  Fulltime-job placements, with sustainable wages, within this window of time are always cause for celebration. Career Agent Ashelley Wilder, herself a prior KRA customer, reported that ‘Lakeisha’—36, single, 3 children, and just now getting her GED—had
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Every KRA jobseeker-customer coming through the doors of the Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program—funded by the Baltimore City Department of Social Services for public-assistance recipients—receives a warm welcome.  However, some receive a second welcome, when they return as KRA employees! To date, KRA Corporation has hired eight customers, representing approximately 40% of the Baltimore program staff.  According to Greg Alexander, Job Coach Team Lead, “Because of their unique experiences as former KRA customers, these employees are able to apply their own special blend of knowledge, skills, and empathy to their jobs.  Their passion adds immeasurable  value  to our success in
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What a difference a year makes—when an individual is committed to excellence in service, not just in her own life, but in the lives of others.  Such is the case of Yvette Clark, then a KRA Corporation Lead Job Developer when she was elected to the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce (BCCC) Board of Directors. Almost a year to the day, Clark is now the Vice Chairperson of the BCCC Board, and the Business Services Manager for the KRA workforce development program—funded by the Baltimore City Department of Social  Services—for which she has worked 3 years. Recently, Clark hosted the
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