Monthly Archives May 2015

Our Spotlight! is shining brightly on a new collaboration between the KRA/DC TANF Employment Program (TEP), managed for the Department of Human Services; KRA/PGWorks, operated for the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services; and  Emergency 911 Security, a new business partner that has demonstrated its enthusiasm and commitment to the DC Metro-area customers we serve. Spearheaded by Anthony Featherstone, Program Manager for both TEP and PGWorks, the two programs joined forces to host the 2nd Annual Spring Job Fair, showcasing 80 capable, ready-to-work jobseekers. Representing the Construction, IT, Maintenance, Plumbing, Protective/Security Services, and Staffing industries, 22 employers  conducted interviews,
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Sponsored by Joseph L. Kelley, one of the “Great City of Opa-Locka’s”  Commissioners, and the Opa-Locka Career Center, operated by KRA for CareerSouce South Florida, a Job Fair afforded 26 employers the opportunity to connect with 300 of the City’s most motivated and talented jobseekers. Shawna Wright, Workforce Programs Supervisor, reported, “The level of participation by City officials, before and during the event, was unsurpassed!  I worked closely with Mr. T.C. Adderly, HR Director, and Andres Ricardo, HR Administrator, both of whom could not have been more collaborative and engaged in making the Job Fair a success.  We were particularly pleased that Mayor
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Recently, San Diego Works–the San Diego Workforce Partnership newsletter–reported “Career Center Helps Woman Find Career in Web Design.” In 2012, when Marisol Quesada enrolled with the KRA-operated Metro Region Career Centers program, part of the American Job Centers of California network, she was highly motivated, with “a great drive to succeed.” Having decided on a career in Web Design, Marisol knew that college-level credentialing, combined with her administrative background and hands-on experience assisting her husband start-up a web-design business, would unlock the door to success. With WIA-funding support, Marisol enrolled in a UCSD Extension Course in Web Design, and after graduation in 2014, stated, “When I
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Recently, Charles Botts, III–KRA Subject Matter Expert & Trainer with the CTWorks/American Job Center, operated for Capital Workforce Partners–was featured on the FOX-CT Good Morning Show for the 5th year running! Dual-certified as a Workforce Development Professional and Professional Resume Writer, Charles shared his expertise on how recent college graduates can best prepare for obtaining employment in a competitive job market. Charles’ job-hunting tips include, “Start searching as soon as possible, apply for positions for which you are no less than 90% qualified, network off- and on-line, and Improve Your Job Search With Social Media Tools, ensuring that all your profiles portray
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Career Agent Veronica Edmonds, KRA/VIEW (Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare)–operated for the Department of Human Services–reports, “All Norfolk restaurants must have a ServSafe-certified manager onsite at all times.  Thus, we knew that incorporating ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification into our Voc-Ed Program would open doors to employment for our customers. What we didn’t know, at the time, was just how valuable certification would become for ‘John’, who presented one of the most severe employment challenges: he was a registered sex offender.” Through Voc-Ed classes, John received a Microsoft Digital Literacy Certification, but it was hard work and his “love of cooking” that
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Joe Seymour Joins Expanding KRA Ranks of NAWDP Award Winners Confirming, once again, that KRA attracts the most outstanding professionals in our industry, Joseph L. Seymour has won the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals 2015 Professional Development Award that “recognizes individuals who have been instrumental in designing and implementing professional development initiatives that enhance the knowledge, skills and competencies of workforce development professionals.” Kimberley Staley, KRA Vice President & Director of Client Services, and CTWorks/American Job Center (AJC) Program Manager, commented, “Joe’s incredible creativity and talent significantly impact, not just our program’s staff and customers, but thousands of industry professionals across the
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On its website, KRA client, Capital Workforce Partners–the WIB for the North Central Connecticut Region–announced that the Hartford and New Britain  CTWorks/American Job Center offices have re-launched the EAGER (Educate and Accomplish Goals for Employment Readiness) Program! Designed specifically to meet the workforce-readiness needs of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) recipients enrolled in the Jobs First Employment Services Program, EAGER successfully equips participants with effective job-preparation skills. The 2-week program is a full-on KRA team effort, with program redesign initiated by Operations Manager Karen Brown, and shepherded by Unit Supervisor Karen Cirincione.  Subject Matter Experts Charles Botts and Joseph Seymour created virtual training modules and curriculum, and
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Angela Smith, Career Advancement Team Lead, reports, “In April 2014, when Yolanda enrolled in the Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program–which KRA operates for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services–she was apathetic, disengaged from activities, and rarely even smiled.” However, Angela and her Team successfully began to draw Yolanda, 31, out of her shell, encouraging and motivating her until she was convinced that active participation in the Work-Readiness Workshops was not only for her benefit, but that of her child as well. “After training, Yolanda was placed with a staffing agency, and when she came to pick up her
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