Workforce Readiness / Community
Please join us in our Community Outreach through Work Force Readiness!
As Human Resource Professionals, we are well equipped with knowledge to share to assist individuals in becoming “workforce ready”. This may include how to write a resume that makes sense to the reader, how to network effectively or prepare for an interview. It’s easy for us and comes rather naturally, especially with years of practice! This type of knowledge that we may take for granted, is often the key ingredient that holds back a qualified individual from obtaining their next job.
The Workforce Readiness programs we produce are committed to increasing an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities to define and land the next job in their career path. In addition, we provide experiential workshops to provide an understanding of the behavioral skills that employers desire to ensure on the job success. We are ready to answer that all important job seeker’s question, “What is the employer really looking for and how do I communicate that during an interview and on the job?”
Over the years our Work Force Readiness team has assisted individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and circumstances through successful partnerships with local not for profit organizations and schools such as: Dress for Success, Neighborhood House, Jersey Battered Women’s Services, Unity Charter School and Abraham Clark High School. Our focus is to share our knowledge and experience with others so they may experience their definition of success. Whether we are working with youth to provide an awareness of career choices, developing on the job success skill sets or providing workshops for family caretakers to re-enter the workforce confidently with an action plan, we are dedicated to assisting others who may benefit from our knowledge sharing.
Interested in learning more about these programs or how to become involved? If what we do resonates with the way you wish to give back to the community, won’t you consider joining us for the fun and satisfaction of sharing your special gifts with others?
Would you like to volunteer yet are not sure how, as your time is limited or schedule sporadic? We understand, as we are long time volunteers. Our programs offer a myriad of ways to participate and offer flexibility to match your work and home life commitments. Whether you have one hour to create or review content, one evening to participate in delivering a workshop session, or just want to share an idea, we’d love to talk with you. Please contact Suzi Sena at (201) 966-1709 or at: suzanne_sena@yahoo.com
Morris County SHRM Members – “Paving the Way”
We would like to extend a special thank you all the workshop attendees who participated in the pilot survey for national ground breaking research on veterans with disabilities in the workplace – “Paving the Way”. Collaborating with Cornell University’s Disability Technical Assistance Center and Tip of the Arrow Foundation, the Garden State Council-SHRM Workforce Readiness Director identified our chapter to participate in this important first step of the research process. The initial research phase is made possible through a grant funded by the Henry H. Kessler Foundation. With the support of SHRM, this fall, national members will also have the opportunity to participate in this survey.
In addition to producing “Paving the Way” research, Cornell’s team will also create an online training tool for Veterans with disabilities providing an easy-to-use overview of their legal rights as a person with a disability in the workforce. It will also offer practical guidance to managing the human aspect of applying these rights. This tool also serves Employers offering an overview of the legal rights of veterans with disabilities in the workforce along with practical suggestions for identifying and sustaining accommodations commonly needed by veterans with disabilities (e.g. PTSD, TBI, or mobility disabilities). It includes resources to connect with veterans with disabilities job seekers.
Initial trends will be released through SHRM national this November. The full report and on line tools will be released in January, 2010 and available through the SHRM website.
What’s happening in Work Force Readiness?
In the fall of 2009 the Chapter received its second distinguished SHRM national Pinnacle Award for their Work Force Readiness partnership with the Trinitas School Based Youth Service Program. Through this year long experiential program, these enthusiastic and dedicated students created their own company “Creation for the Youth Nation” with a mission to improve the use and quality of their school spaces.
Taking on the responsibility of various job roles, their first vision was to create a three season outdoor space for eating lunch, holding class, rehearsing or waiting to be picked up after school. Through participation, the students learn skills essential for on the job success while discovering their talents and exploring career options. Each student made great strides in demonstrating these essential skills while gaining greater self-esteem as well as confidence in their ability to someday take their special talents and make a difference in our world.
In 2008 the SHRM Pinnacle Awards were sponsored by ADP. During the January chapter meeting, ADP’s Marketing Director, Kelly Shanley, came out to join us in the celebration. Ms. Shanley presented the chapter with the $1,000 Award check which was donated to the Trinitas School Based Youth Service program to support funding for this project.
In spring 2009, the structural repairs will be completed and we will move forward with installing the tables, chairs along with garden plantings. The dedication ceremony is anticipated for late May.
Program plans for 2009 also include:
Special December 8, 2009 chapter event: “Transitions for a Bright Future” – a collaboration between our chapter, Caring Capital, Homeless Solutions and Dress for Success Morris County. Corporate supporters of this interactive event include Walmart and Best Buy.
Homeless Solutions will select ten special clients who are ready to transition to their new homes, to participate in a three month WFR Career Development Certificate program. The workshops will provide: career exploration, job search methods, interviewing techniques, mock interviews, and development of on the job success skills. Morris County SHRM chapter members will provide the content and delivery of the workshops.
In addition to the guidance received from HSI case management staff, our chapter will offer a mentoring component available to the HSI clients after they complete the program. We are seeking a sponsor for the valuable on line career guide and mentoring tool, Virtual Job Shadow.com, that will be housed at Homeless Solutions for the benefit and use of all their clients.
Through the workshops we provide, we maintain an eye towards caring for the whole person – not just the job seeker aspect of an individual. Components that have been successful with students and adults will include lectures on holistic health counseling by certified Health Counselor, Caryn O’Sullivan, and yoga instruction to manage stress.
The culmination of this special program will take place at our December chapter meeting. Under the direction of Susie Schub, President of Caring Capital - Morris County’s award winning arts consulting firm - chapter members are invited to build eleven work tables that will be donated to each of the HSI clients as they move into their new homes. The work tables will be decorated and equipped with a laptop (ten pledged by Best Buy at $100 each and one donated by Walmart) along with desk supplies and internet access gift cards. The 11th desk and laptop will be donated to HSI for use by future clients. Each client will also receive an interview outfit courtesy of Walmart and Dress for Success of Morris County.
August - Community Event for Returning Reservists: This half day event is planned to assist the influx of returning military reservists and other military staff who are ready to enter or re-enter the civilian work force. Liaising with The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) along with the local Work Force Investment Board (WIB), the content will dovetail the government required programs being offered for this special group of women and men who have so diligently and selflessly served our country. This program is poised for attendees to experience success in their career choices, as participants may choose from a variety of workshops including:
- Career exploration;
- Resume review;
- Networking; and
- On the job success skills.
Coaching and mock interviews will be provided by experienced Career Coaches and Recruiters. Employers and Recruiters will be invited to participate in the Career Exploration portion of the event.
Our information sharing goals also include providing employers with HRCI approved workshops on how to understand and administer the benefits provided under Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, USERRA. The Certification team will also be on hand to deliver information for those interested in how to become an HRCI certified HR professional.
We are seeking supporters for this event in the form of gift certificates to Lowes or Home Depot along with school supplies in back packs for the children of the reservists to be donated as door prizes.
Come back and visit us again soon to learn more details as these projects get closer to their delivery dates.
Interested in learning more about these programs or how to become involved?
If what we do resonates with the way you wish to give back to the community, won’t you consider joining us for the fun and satisfaction of sharing your special gifts with others? Would you like to volunteer yet are not sure how, as your time is limited or schedule sporadic? We understand, as we are long time volunteers. Our programs offer a myriad of ways to participate and offer flexibility to match your work and home life commitments. Whether you have one hour to create or review content, one evening to participate in delivering a workshop session, or just want to share an idea, we’d love to talk with you. Please contact Suzi Sena at (201) 966-1709 or at:
suzanne_sena@yahoo.com
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