Workforce Development

Employment and Training Strategies

Types of Programs

• Pre-Employment Training

Pre-employment training or work readiness programs are intended for people with little or no prior connection to the workforce. Frequently, program participants are long-term welfare recipients. Often, participants have attitudinal, motivational, self-confidence or other personal barriers that inhibit workforce participation. A typical program might be a three-week course, with a curriculum covering employer expectations, punctuality, reliability, work attitudes, motivation, appropriate behavior and dress, professional conduct, resume preparation, interviewing skills, and job search skills. 
  

• Remedial Education

Many persons cannot successfully compete for jobs because of weaknesses in their educational background: lack of a high school degree, poor literacy or mathematics skills or poor English language skills. A wide range of educational services are available for adults, including Adult Basic Education, GED Preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL), and literacy or mathematical programs. These services are provided by public school districts, libraries, community colleges, and social service agencies. Many programs use self-paced, computer- assisted learning. 
  

• Occupational Skills Training:

These programs include classroom and on-the-job training to teach skills necessary for particular jobs or occupations. Many of these programs were funded by the federal Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), described below. Training typically lasts three to six months in particular career areas such as secretarial work, computer/electronic equipment hospitality industry, etc. Occupational skills training was also provided through the community college system. Although training provided through community colleges is more extensive than JTPA's, college students are responsible for fees and other expenses; JPTA programs were free to eligible clients. 
  

• Job Placement

Unemployed persons with sufficient educational and employment backgrounds can be placed directly into jobs. Job placement services are provided by state Employment Service offices and sometimes through federally-funded job search programs or job clubs. Job placement programs often include instruction on resume preparation, interviewing, and general orientation to the labor market. They may also provide equipment or services to make the job search easier: computers, phones, answering services. In addition, job clubs create peer group support for those undergoing the stress of a job search. 
  

• Youth Programs

Various program models help economically disadvantaged youth make the transition into the workforce. One such program is summer youth employment which subsidizes employers to hire teenagers. Work experience is frequently combined with supplemental training and academic education. Year-round programs for at-risk youth include part-time work experience, career counseling, and drop-out prevention services. Another program, the "school-to-work" transition, gives students (particularly those in high school) work experience and skills training while still in school. 
  

• Support Services

Disadvantaged persons typically face barriers to employment that extend beyond a lack of job skills. The most common of these is lack of access to quality, affordable child care for single parents. Other barriers include adequate transportation and substance abuse. Consequently, labor force development programs must package support services with the training in order to give clients a real chance to obtain and keep jobs. 
  

• Displaced Worker Programs

The term "displaced workers" refers to individuals who have lost jobs as a result of plant closings and down-sizing. Programs related to this area provide career counseling, skills retraining, and job placement services. Federal funding for displaced worker programs has increased in recent years, even as funding for the poor has been cut.