On January 28, 2014, the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore Press Office released this statement: “Horseshoe Casino Baltimore today announced the details of an expansive program that will begin next month to educate city residents about the 1,700 new jobs that are being created by the $442-million casino entertainment complex.” Read the full story here…
Two days later, The Baltimore Sun quoted Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake as saying, “Horseshoe Baltimore’s local hiring efforts go far beyond what other major companies have done in the city.” Of the casino’s effort to hire Baltimore residents, she stated, “I don’t know that it’s ever happened at this level. The company has committed to citywide outreach efforts to inform residents of job opportunities at the casino.”
KRA Corporation’s Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program*, operated for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, became a significant player in those “citywide outreach efforts” when Horseshoe Casino Baltimore chose KRA as a Legendary Candidates Academy Partner. In this role, KRA/Baltimore will participate in the screening, orientation, and training effort that will lead to ultimately filling 1,700 positions resulting from the Casino’s massive expansion program.
On February 26th, Yvette Clark, Business Services Manager, and member of the Board of Directors of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce, and Nate’ Gordon, Corporate Operations Manager, attended a Train-the-Trainer Seminar in preparation for KRA/Baltimore operating its own Legendary Candidates Academy Program.
Of the experience, Clark reported, “Nate’ and I thought the 4-hour session was power-packed with guidance, information, and instruction. Kanika Feaster, MOED/Horseshoe Casino Recruitment Coordinator, did a terrific job conducting the training. She provided copies of the Academy curriculum and then reviewed it with us in the form of the actual PowerPoint Presentation that we will use in our sessions with Academy candidates.”
Gordon commented, “I believe role-playing is an extremely effective form of instruction; its interactive nature lends itself to true learning. Through adopting various roles, we experienced an overview of the hiring requirements, different casino positions and identifying the right candidates, practicing ‘good’ and ‘bad’ customer service, and fielding interview questions. Also, we got to practice conducting our own video interviews!”
KRA/Baltimore will host an Academy Program at least two times a month during March and April, and will start with screening jobseeker-customers who are currently enrolled in the program. The goal is to accommodate at least 50 jobseekers in each session, for a total of 200 candidate-trainees.
Gordon added, “KRA/Baltimore staff members Greg Alexander, Lead Job Coach, and Robert Banks, Job Developer, will take active roles in both screening and training. And, even though the Academy is open to all candidates, the Casino wants us to concentrate on filling Dealer positions first. The non-gaming jobs—Construction, Food Service, Hospitality, Management, Retail, and Transportation—will be screened for later.”
Clark concluded, “We are extremely excited to be a part of this ground-breaking program! And, we will be particularly excited for those who, at the end of the process, are offered employment!! The Horseshoe has offered to pay the Maryland license fees, for both gaming [$437.25] and non-gaming [$187.25] positions. What better way to start a new career, with a great employer that obviously has the best interest of its employees at heart!”
Next week’s Company News posting will wrap-up this phase of the KRA/Baltimore Legendary Candidates Academy with a brief look at the curriculum, the Casino’s innovative HireVue system, and the overall hiring process, from initial recruitment to offer of employment.
*KRA/Baltimore offers jobseeker-customers receiving Temporary Cash Assistance benefits a wide range of workforce development services, including comprehensive assessments, unsubsidized Community Work Experience opportunities, Occupational Skills Training for several local in-demand industries, and job placement.
Dr. Boone’s 20+ years’ experience in the industry is extensive and her expertise in private-, public-, and non-profit sector workforce-services organizations is unparalleled, particularly in the Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan area.
