Archives for wia youth

Unemployment: The Many Effects

June 20, 2013 | No Comments

According to May 2013 DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) figures, 11.8 million Americans are unemployed…but seeking employment. Traditionally, BLS numbers do not include unemployed individuals who are not actively job-hunting. Some economic reports indicate a myriad of reasons, one of which being that unsuccessful jobseekers often become discouraged to the point that they simply give up in their job search. Unemployment affects individuals. It almost goes without saying, but has to be noted that money—or lack thereof—is more often than not a cause of stress, sometimes of a disabling nature. As reported by the American Psychological Association in Psychological
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Effective Workforce Development Must Include “Soft Skills” Training

June 20, 2013 | No Comments

According to the DOL’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average U.S. unemployment rate, between May 2012-May 2013, was 7.9%; not as high as the May 2009-May 2010 average of 9.7%, but still representative of a significant number of unemployed Americans. Yet, despite these statistics, employers report they are struggling to fill positions…not due to a lack of candidates, but due to a lack of jobseekers with “the right stuff”. In a recent article, Sustainable Education: How to Train Students for 21st Century Careers of Impact, Roshan Paul, Amani Institute, reports that college graduates are not being equipped to compete in the 21st century workplace. His research indicates
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Dream Comes True for KRA Youth

December 31, 2012 | No Comments

Kaila Hunter was a 17 year-old, single parent when she enrolled in the KRA/SCWorks Out-of-School Youth Program 6 months ago. Her mother accompanied her to the Orientation, and voiced her concerns…which were three-fold…to Temecca Belcher, KRA Career Agent. First, she wished for Kaila to further her education and training; second, to get a good job; and third, to achieve self-sufficiency to care for herself and her son. At the same time, Kaila voiced her own concern, which was to qualify for training that would enable her to enter the medical field as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Subsequent to a battery
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KRA Monthly Spotlight!

December 30, 2011 | No Comments

Our December Spotlight! shines brightly on two very diverse customers…from Maryland and South Carolina…whose success stories are very different but, at the same time, representative of the thousands of program participants who come to KRA each year seeking the education, training, and other job-readiness services they need to secure a better future. Guided by dedicated KRA Career Agents, Employment Specialists, Instructors, and Team Leaders, these customers are an inspiration to us all. Andrea Jackson wrote a candid and heartfelt letter to KRA “to commend…workers at the Brightseat Road location in Landover, Maryland. In particular, Ms. Winston-et Williams.” Ms. Jackson is referring to
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KRA/Camden Staff Present at GSETA Conference

September 19, 2011 | No Comments

On September 14-15, 2011, KRA Program Manager, Anita Davis and Job Developer, Natividad Perez, co-presented a workshop at the annual Garden State Employment and Training Association (GSETA) Conference in Atlantic City. Zuri Davis, Executive Director, Genesis School of Business; Laurie Maguire, MIS Director, Camden One-Stop Career Center (OSCC) system; and Marie Mead and Robyn Morris, OSCC staffers, co-facilitated the management-level session, Managing Youth Performance, with Davis and Perez. Invited by GSETA to share best practices in working through challenges with younger job-seeking customers, KRA/Camden offers community work experience, educational opportunities, and job training/placement services to Youth, TANF, and General Assistance
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