National Industries for the Blind

GettingHired.com Advisory Council Meeting Presentation

December 13, 2011

Professional Employment and Development at NIB

Presenters:

• Ann Walling, Human Resources Manager

• Karen Pal, Business Leaders Program Director

• Billy Parker, Contract Management Support TrainingProgram Director

Professional Employment and Development at NIB

Mission of National Industries for the Blind• Employment and economic independence for people

who are blind

Our goal for this presentation: • Describe what NIB has done in the professional

employment of people who are blind

• Share successes and ideas

• Describe how we can be a resource for you

Business Leaders Program

Five tracks for career advancement:• Fellowship for Leadership

o Work-oriented professional managerial internship

• Business Management Trainingo Mini-MBA to build business acumen

• Effective Supervision: The Essentialso Performance and productivity skills

• Leaders At All Levelso On-site training on fundamental team and interpersonal skills

• Business Basicso Distance learning format on entry-level business topics/skills

Business Leaders Program

The NIB Fellowship – Structure• Purpose: Recruit new talent into NIB and the NIB

network of non-profit businesses. Competitive process.

• Timeframe: o Current = 20 months in three locations (4 x 8 x 8).o New = 10 months in two locations with pre-negotiated placement

• Focus: Project-oriented work experience at NIB non-profit businesses and the greater business community.

• Also: Professional development, including national conferences and meetings.

• Result: Fellows landed professional managerial jobs in salary range $50-$70K (annual). Pipeline of talent.

Business Leaders Program Beneficial Indirect Results

• Pipeline: Upon completion, fellows were accomplished professionals ready for success.

• Talent Pool: Those applicants not selected were facilitated toward other positions at NIB and network.

• Planning: NIB businesses anticipated hosting a fellow, promoted benefits, procured budgets to hire fellows.

• Reasonable Accommodation: Learned what little is needed for accessibility – increased positive mindset and integrative thinking.

• Succession Plans: Incorporated diversity in hiring, professional development and business strategies.

Contract Management Support Training Program

Objective: To assist in the development of high growth career opportunities for people who are blind by providing high-level training in the field of contract management.

Contract Management Support Training Program

The CMS Model:• Recruit: Identify qualified blind candidates nationwide

• Train: Provide quality, relevant contract management training through the Department of Defense's Defense Acquisitions University

• Placement Assistance: Leverage Ability One relationships to assist in the placement of CMS participants in contract management support roles with NIB associated agencies, the federal government and private sector

Contract Management Support Training Program

Qualification Criteria:• Legally blind or totally blind

• Preferred education:o 4-year degree or equivalent work experienceo Business background

• Highly proficient in:o Computer technology (Word, Excel)o Assistive technology (JAWS, Window Eyes, ZoomText or other

like technology)

• U.S. citizen

• Professional work life skill experience

Contract Management Support Training Program

Recruiting Resources:• GettingHired.com

• Collaborate with State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies to develop ongoing pipeline of candidates

• Partner with the VA, BVA, Wounded Warrior, etc. to identify and recruit qualified veterans

• Work with college disability services offices

• Work with national organizations such as NFB, ACB and AFB

• Collaborate with NIB associated agencies

Contract Management Support Training Program

Training Curriculum:• Defense Acquisitions University (DAU) coursework

o Online: CON 100: Shaping Smart Business Arrangements CON 110: Mission-Support Planning CON 111: Mission-Planning Execution CON 112: Mission-Performance Assessment

• Offered at no cost to all approved CMS participants

• Takes an estimated 80-90 hours to complete all four on-line courses

• Candidates have 60 days to complete each course

Contract Management Support Training Program

Placement Assistance• 193 CMS Training Program participants

• 36 employed as a direct result of the programo Northrop Grumman - Contract Specialisto Boeing - Contract Specialisto Army - Contract Close Out Specialisto Navy - Contract Close Out Specialisto Norfolk Naval Hospital - Contract Administratoro NIB - Contract Administratoro NIB Associated Agencies - Close Out Specialist

In Review

NIB is Your Resource in Employing People Who are Blind:• Talent referrals

• Considerations for hireo Accessibility – Screen reading and magnification softwareo Reasonable accommodationso 3 Es: Employee – Environment – Engagement

• Orientation of the workplace and hiring managero Workplace setupo Manager training

Professional Employment and Development at NIB

Contact Information: • Ann Walling, Human Resources Manager

awalling@nib.org 703.310.0638

• Karen Pal, Business Leaders Program Director kpal@nib.org 703.310.0515

• Billy Parker, Contract Management Support TrainingProgram Director

bparker@nib.org 703.310.0560

Webpage: www.nib.org