Five Day Path to Employment: Engaging Employers

Engaging Employers:A Five Day Path to EmploymentKathy Jo VanderLaan, CBSPBusiness Services Manager, Central Area Michigan Works! Associationkathyv@8cap.org Susan Hatto, CBSPDean of Community & Workforce Education, Montcalm Community College susanh@montcalm.edu The ProblemEmployers hiring and unable to find workers.

Skill gap in current workforce.

Long term unemployed seeking employment.

InspirationReady NowThumbWorks! ProgramCompany InputWhat skills are important?

Where are the largest skill gaps?

What are you looking for (e.g. skills, abilities, etc.) when hiring?

Company CommitmentCompanies committed to assist in the following areas:Curriculum DevelopmentInstructionEmployer PanelInterviewsHiring

CurriculumMCC and the companies worked together to design curriculum to meet entry level skill needs.

Blueprint ReadingIndustrial SafetyIndustrial Math: Foundational PrinciplesIndustrial Math: Practical UseMachining OperationsManufacturing Measurement ToolsInstructionCompanies provided instructors for the courses.

If an instructor was not identified by the companies involved, then MCC provided a qualified instructor.

MCC assisted instructors with curriculum/classroom material.

MCC assisted instructors with the creation of an outcome assessment to measure learning. Employer PanelCompanies participating in the program committed to participate in the employer panel.

The employers shared what skills (including soft skills) were important for employment at their organization.

Served as an introduction for the program.InterviewsParticipating companies agreed to interview participants that completed the program.

Michigan Works! identified program participants that best matched the skills/abilities that the company was seeking.

Applicants screened for OJT eligibility.

HiringParticipating companies agreed that if a participant met their hiring requirements that they may hire to fill their employment needs.Program FlyerFive Day Path to Employment Manufacturing training taught by manufacturing businesseswith a potential job upon completion! PURPOSE: A Manufacturing Principles Course taught in 4 days providing specialty training. The 5th day will be interviews by employers of those teaching the sessions, and who have current job openings. Each participant who successfully completes each section will receive a certificate from Montcalm Community College (MCC), recognized by Manufacturing Employers. The certificate will include all base learning areas covered by each component. LOCATION/TIME 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. (Lunch provided) Each attendee will also receive a $25 gas card Ionia Michigan Works! Service Center 307 W. Adams St., Ionia COST The total cost for the 5 days is $25. Scholarships are available for eligible applicants. Lunch will be provided FREE each day (45 minutes time allotted) SEATS AVAILABLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED UPON COMPLETION Only twenty (20) seats are available. Candidates completing all four Manufacturing Principles Course Components will receive a MCC Certificate. MORE INFORMATION/REGISTRATION For more information, contact your local Michigan Works! Service Center: IONIA: 307 W. Adams St. 616-527-1360 -OR- MONTCALM: 114 S. Greenville West Dr. 616-754-3611 Monday, January 13th Confirm attendance at APEC Wednesday 9:00 -10:00 a.m. EMPLOYER PANEL Matcor, Ventra, and Cargill 10 a.m. -12 p.m. Employability Skill Building - Michigan Works! Workshop 12:00 1:00 p.m. Lunch (provided) 1:00 4:00 p.m. Industrial Safety - VENTRA (Steve Stancil) Tuesday, January 14th 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Industrial Math: Foundational Principles Montcalm Community College 12:00 1:00 p.m. Lunch (provided) 1:00 4:00 p.m. Industrial Math: Practical Use VENTRA (Russ Morgan) Wednesday, January 15th 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Blueprint Reading & Usage - CARGILL (Andrew Gillott) 12:00 1:00 p.m. Lunch (provided) 1:00 4:00 p.m. Mfg. Measurement Tools (MCC Allen Demorest), with field trip to APEC in Lake Odessa Thursday, January 16th 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Machining Operations MCC (Chuck Clise) 12:00 1:00 p.m. Lunch (provided) 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Resume Building, Q&A, & Interview Prep. - Michigan Works! FRIDAY, January 17th INTERVIEWS (As scheduled) All participants/ Employers COORDINATED BY:

Manufacturing Principles CertificateCertificates were issued to participants who successful completed (including outcome assessment):

Blueprint Reading & UsageIndustrial Math: Foundational Principles & Practical UseIndustrial SafetyMachining OperationsManufacturing Measurement Tools

PartnershipsMichigan Works! provided instruction in:Employability Skill BuildingResume BuildingInterview Skills & PreparationMCC provided:InstructorsLunchEightCAP Community Services & Meijer provided gas vouchers/gas cardsResultsAfter 3 months

Montcalm 76% employed

Ionia 67% EmployedParticipants will select which companies they want to interview with on Wednesday, and same for employers (resumes provided to them). Employers interviewing participants (for sure) Friday include: Cargill, Matcor and Ventra. There may be more still waiting to hearbut each participant will receive AT LEAST one interview for an open position. One of the instructors from Ventra is already making recommendations to the HR Manager, based on what he saw in the training session. I have already forwarded one resume for an open position I posted today.The participants understand that they are expanding their circle of influence with the connections they are making.

14The FutureFive Day Path to Success

MCCs Director of Student and Community Outreach will share MCC recruitment information, including financial aid.

MCC will have all participants complete an MCC application.

MCC will COMPASS test all participants.All Future Students Will Leave WithManufacturing or Finance/Customer Service Principles CourseUpdated ResumeImproved Interview SkillsInterview AppointmentsMCC Information. They will be an accepted student and have completed entrance testing.The FutureExpanding the program to other employment areas.Finance/Customer ServiceResponding to local bank hiring needs.Curriculum has been defined:Basic Math Skills (Cash Handling)Basic Computer (Excel)Cross/Up Selling & Business EthicsCustomer ServiceSecurity/Work Safety