Monthly Archives June 2015

March: Elizabeth, 37, enrolled in the Pre-employment & Digital Media Technology Training Program for TANF recipients, KRA-operated for the Camden County [NJ] WIB.  She quit her last job because she felt her management capabilities–developed through 20+ years’ experience in customer, food, and retail services positions–were not being recognized, holding her back from advancement. April: She was anxious to return to  work, but in a position that offered career potential.  Instructor Nigel Charles devoted time, outside the classroom, to help Elizabeth in refining her search strategies and modifying her professional portfolio to highlight her management potential. May:  Not in a position to reject any on-the-table opportunity, Elizabeth accepted a Cashier position with a fast-food restaurant.  However, excitement was mixed with
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In mid-March, when Mr. Carless Schuler, a 20-year old, single, High School graduate, applied for TANF benefits, he was enrolled in the PGWorks Job-Readiness Program (JRP), operated by KRA for the Prince George’s County [MD] Department of Social Services. KRA’s goal was to assist Carless–accompanied by his girlfriend, who was expecting their first child–in avoiding the pubic-assistance system by providing him effective workforce-readiness tools to find a sustainable job. Carless began meeting with KRA Career Agent, Terance Washington, who guided him in weaving his JRP activities–abilities, aptitude, and interest assessments; basic-skills testing and upgrading; interviewing skills; job-search strategies; resume development,
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Rhonda Feimster, with PGWorks, operated by KRA for the Prince George’s County [MD] Department of Social Services, reported, “Gerald was at the end of his rope when he was referred by Family Court to our Non-Custodial Parent Employment Program because of delinquent child-support payments. In 2009, when he lost his Security Officer job, Gerald decided to resume his education, enrolling in the Business Administration program at PG Community College, and because he was receiving both UI and VA benefits, was able to keep up with child-support, car, and mortgage payments. When the benefits expired in 2012, Gerald started job-hunting.  But, 2 years
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For the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, KRA operates the Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program for jobseekers receiving TANF benefits, actively collaborating with local agencies and organizations to create training and employment opportunities for KRA/Baltimore customers. In March,  KRA/Baltimore developed a partnership with the Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC), founded in 1985 as an economic development agency in the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor, with initial efforts dedicated to developing and operating commercial buildings for industrial use. Today, JARC operates the Center for Working Families, which specializes in job-training and certification programs that target skill-gap positions in the Manufacturing and IT
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Mr. Hamed Seyedi, Business Services Representative, San Diego Metro Region American Job Center–operated by KRA for the San Diego Workforce Partnership–reported, “Some Expanded Subsidized Employment (ESE) participants have difficulty finding work because of  language barriers.  So, I started contacting local businesses, one of which was Balboa International Group, that serve the needs of our international communities. ESE Coordinator, Deona Dorsey, commented , “Balboa was extremely receptive to a Business Services  partnership, and the screening and referral process progressed quickly.  Of the first 15 ESE candidates referred, 10 were hired, with four pending hire.” According to Hamed, “Currently, Balboa relies on
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In April, we reported on John, who enrolled in the Non-Custodial Parent Employment Program, operated by KRA for the Prince George’s [MD] County Department of Social Services, with serious obstacles to employment, as a homeless ex-offender. Career Agent Rhonda Feimster was instrumental in helping John develop the job-readiness skills he needed, and consequently the shelter he called “home” referred him for a part-time  job as an Assembly/Driving Associate at  $12.50/hour. Rhonda reported,  “John  is doing better; he’s still living at the shelter, but received a pay raise to $15.00/hour. He was scheduled for a court-ordered hearing,  related to his delinquent child-support payments, however, his daughter’s
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Business Connection, the Pleasanton [CA] Chamber of Commerce newsletter, recently featured an article…Producing a Highly Developed Workforce…by James Paxson, Board  Chair of both the Pleasanton Chamber and the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board (ACWIB), on how workforce development, through collaborative, industry-sector driven education and skills training, is the lynchpin of effective economic development. KRA is proud to partner with the ACWIB in achieving two fundamental objectives, “helping job seekers find opportunities for good employment, and connecting employers with talent” that converge into one overarching goal, “to help bring together job seekers and employers.” To that end, the ACWIB assembled the
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In 1993, a City Health Department Social Worker, Joseph T. Jones, Jr.–now CEO, Center for Urban Families–established what is today The Baltimore Responsible Fatherhood Project, and since then, has been the driving force behind many ground-breaking programs for underserved Baltimoreans. Ernestine Chambers, KRA Operations Manager, TANF Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program–operated for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services–reported, “KRA/Baltimore’s partnership with CFUF has impacted our customers tremendously through STRIVE Baltimore, a training and job-placement program for hard-to-employ jobseekers.” STRIVE acceptance is extremely competitive, and completion very challenging.  Many participants do not make it to graduation.  But for those who
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In April 2015, Benjamin McMillan enrolled in the Job Skills Training Program for TANF recipients, operated by KRA for the Camden County Workforce Investment Board.  Nigel Charles, Instructor, reported, “Benjamin had worked in the trucking industry for 10+ years, but due to health issues was forced to give up life on the open road, which he loved, and explore other career paths.” After so many years of steady employment, as an unemployed high school graduate, with two young boys to support, Benjamin was struggling to find his way on the unfamiliar roads of career transition when he joined the Program. With encouragement
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