As Baltimore County’s One-Stop Operator (BCOSO) under contract with the Department of Economic and Workforce Development (DEWD), KRA plays a key convening role, coordinating partner engagement, facilitating collaboration, and supporting customer experience through training across the Hunt Valley, Eastpoint, and Liberty American Job Centers (AJCs).
Jonathan Overall, KRA Director, Communications and Public Outreach, reports, “Through a variety of efforts, we provide direct support to the AJC Steering Committee, the CAREER (Coalition of Agencies Ready to Engage in Employment and Retention) Team, and DEWD/Labor Management Committees, creating a continuum of employment and training services, so that all benefit from a shared vision, responsibility, and outcomes.
Recently, responding to a request from the BWDB, Mr. Overall conducted training that provided a framework for effectively serving high-skilled professionals who have experienced federal layoffs/firings in the County, which is home to more than 13,000 federal civilian jobs, 76 federal-work establishments, various federal contractors, and nonprofit organizations subject to significant funding reductions or freezes.
Mr. Overall continued, “Our AJC programs are providing services to jobseekers who have been impacted already, and are expecting more in the Fall, because many federal workers have been notified their employment will end in September.”
Mr. Overall’s session, which addressed the topics below, emphasized practical tools to translate federal experience into competitive private-sector value.
Bridging the Gap: Supporting Federal Professionals in Career Transition Learning Objectives:
- Understanding the Federal Worker Profile explored the structure, culture, and career paths common in federal employment to better assess transferable skills and expectations.
- Coaching for Mindset Shift applied motivational strategies for helping federally-transitioning workers navigate identity shifts, employing the Deems Job Loss Reaction Cycle (DJLRC) model that explores reactions to job loss—shock, denial, anger, self-doubt, and eventually, acceptance and affirmation—as well as insights from What Color Is Your Parachute, a popular self-help book for identifying ideal career paths and guidance on finding fulfilling work.
- Translating Experience Across Sectors reframed federal roles and competencies into language and functions that align with private-sector opportunities.
- Using Purposeful Tools for Career Redirection integrated self-inventory and job-search strategies to guide high-skilled professionals through intentional career planning.
The session emphasized that many federal workers have limited experience with modern job search practices like networking, tailoring resumes, or leveraging LinkedIn. By reframing their experience and boosting confidence, staff can empower these professionals to find new opportunities in sectors such as healthcare, tech, and nonprofit services.
This training not only reflects KRA’s commitment to supporting AJC staff but also highlights the importance of adapting workforce strategies to meet evolving local needs. As more impacted workers begin to seek services, especially leading into the fall when additional layoffs are expected, career center teams will be equipped to offer meaningful, targeted guidance.
This site speaks directly to the issue of Baltimore County Workers Impacted by Recent Federal Actions and the Eastpoint, Hunt Valley, and Liberty AJCs That Support Them
For more information that supports KRA efforts in this arena, read Feds On the Job Hunt Are Taking Advantage of Professional Development Opportunities