Workforce Development

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• Workforce Development
• Kalamazoo County

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Kalamazoo County MPRIWorkforce Development
Workforce Development Services Agency
2-3 wks
6 wks
Unsubsidized Employment Placement
Transitional Employment Placement
Job Search Strategies/Soft Skills Development
Job Skill Assessment Enrollment
Employee Support Services
Job Coach
Mentoring (Stay At Home Teams)
Job Developer
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Job Skills Assessment

• Identify the parolees strengths and most
  important skills.
• Document the parolees experience, interests and
  life experiences to help identify career options.
• Develop short and long term training career goals.

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Job Search Strategies

• How to create a resume that Pops
• How to write a cover letter that shows the
  employer why they should hire you.
• How to complete the employment application the
  correct way.
• The importance of follow-up Thank You letters
  that help get results.

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Job Search StrategiesNow that You Have The Job

• Developing a good attitude by placing the past
  behind and rebuilding a new life.
• How to get along with co-workers and supervisors
• How to handle stress and anger
• How to organize work and personal time.

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Transitional employment

• Use non-profit organizations to provide work
  experiences for parolees
• Employment opportunities last up to 6 weeks
• Parolee works 25-30 hrs/wk
• Parolee seeks unsubsidized employment 10-15
  hrs/wk.

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Employee support services

• Job Coach
• Provides the parolee with the guidance and
  support that they need to be successful finding
  and keeping the job.
• Mentors (Stay At Home Team)
• Use Faith-Based Organizations to provide
  mentoring Teams.
• Teams encourage positive behavior and provide an
  environment conducive to the growth of
  confidence, independence, and hopefulness in the
  parolee.
• Job Developer
• Develop an inventory of employers that do not
  have restrictions on employing ex-offenders.
• Create relationships with employers that will
  result in the permanent placement of parolees.