Post by stefanieoshea on Apr 6, 2016 14:26:07 GMT
One of the ways that CWS has been innovating programs is through the use of ReServists in different areas of our programming. ReServists are unique in that they bring lengthy real world experience, specialized skills and knowledge and different perspective (ie. for-profit and corporate models) to our programs and operations. I have outlined ways in which we could use ReServists and made note where this is working for us in CWS for each area in the assignment. I have also grouped a couple together that are similar.
Job readiness: Soft skills are something that those who have them often take for granted and this would be a great position for a former teacher, therapist, social worker or nurse as they can talk about the self-care and behavioral pieces but also the tangible pieces such as resumes, interviewing, and retaining employment as anyone has had to experience in their career.
Vocational Training/Training: We currently have a retired Senior Concierge who worked in a number of five star hotels and National Parks teaching our Hotel and Hospitality training program. She brings incredible real world knowledge and experience as well as great connections in the hospitality field. Food Arts could benefit from a former restaurant manager or business owner or someone that may have taken up cooking later in life and is looking to give back what they know. Commercial Cleaning could also benefit from a person that managed hotel or other properties or someone with engineering, warehousing or machinery background.
Job Placement/Partnerships: This position would go well to a former business developer or sales and marketing professional who has experience with selling a product or service. It would also be a great opportunity for someone who has been in a specific industry (such as a restaurant person) to work directly with that industry in determining the needs and trends and reporting back to training instructors. This would also be an opportunity to partner with businesses for either job placement or other partnerships such as giving, mock interviewing, job shadowing or in-kind donating.
Retention and follow up: This is a great position for a variety of ReServists who are interested in connecting with the clients and can also work well with the businesses to ensure that any issues with employment are addressed and rectified before the client has to lose their job. One thing that ReServists have communicated to me in their work at CWS is the good feeling that comes with connecting with clients and making a difference and this has strong potential for that person looking for a fuzzy feeling and providing a huge need that most staff do not have time to address before it is too late (and the client is coming back through our doors for another job!).
Literacy, including financial literacy: CWS currently utilizes the former research librarian from Boston Latin School (the oldest high school in America and a competitive testing school) to staff our computer lab. He helps clients with everything from working on their resumes to applying to jobs to researching positions and what skills they need to highlight or work on before they apply. He has been a great person to have because he is able to assist the client with learning how to get their own resources and information and direct them to financial literacy and workshops at libraries, community centers and community colleges in the area.
Processes/Reporting: Here is an area in which you can really benefit from an expert and not have to rely on pulling a dozen staff people together to work on these tasks that haven’t been looked at since the last time they were due (hypothetical situation
). ReServe has incredibly skilled people who have done this work in their sleep and can not only assist with tasks as their due but set up improved processes and procedures that can assist staff with understanding and being able to do things more effectively.
Orientation/Assessment: This is another great area for the person looking for the warm fuzzy experience, which we often sell to volunteers and corporate partners because this is something that people often seek when giving their time. This could be a great position for a former social worker, therapist, etc but also the properly trained former corporate executive who wants to connect with clients and see them through a crucial process on their way to work.
By using ReServists we are being financially responsible as these individuals would cost a lot more to compensate in a traditional position and we are also supporting our own missions as ReServe is one of Fedcap’s own brands. Most importantly, we are getting access to highly skilled, experienced and willing people to help us grow our programs and processes while working directly with our staff and potentially mentoring or developing them.
Job readiness: Soft skills are something that those who have them often take for granted and this would be a great position for a former teacher, therapist, social worker or nurse as they can talk about the self-care and behavioral pieces but also the tangible pieces such as resumes, interviewing, and retaining employment as anyone has had to experience in their career.
Vocational Training/Training: We currently have a retired Senior Concierge who worked in a number of five star hotels and National Parks teaching our Hotel and Hospitality training program. She brings incredible real world knowledge and experience as well as great connections in the hospitality field. Food Arts could benefit from a former restaurant manager or business owner or someone that may have taken up cooking later in life and is looking to give back what they know. Commercial Cleaning could also benefit from a person that managed hotel or other properties or someone with engineering, warehousing or machinery background.
Job Placement/Partnerships: This position would go well to a former business developer or sales and marketing professional who has experience with selling a product or service. It would also be a great opportunity for someone who has been in a specific industry (such as a restaurant person) to work directly with that industry in determining the needs and trends and reporting back to training instructors. This would also be an opportunity to partner with businesses for either job placement or other partnerships such as giving, mock interviewing, job shadowing or in-kind donating.
Retention and follow up: This is a great position for a variety of ReServists who are interested in connecting with the clients and can also work well with the businesses to ensure that any issues with employment are addressed and rectified before the client has to lose their job. One thing that ReServists have communicated to me in their work at CWS is the good feeling that comes with connecting with clients and making a difference and this has strong potential for that person looking for a fuzzy feeling and providing a huge need that most staff do not have time to address before it is too late (and the client is coming back through our doors for another job!).
Literacy, including financial literacy: CWS currently utilizes the former research librarian from Boston Latin School (the oldest high school in America and a competitive testing school) to staff our computer lab. He helps clients with everything from working on their resumes to applying to jobs to researching positions and what skills they need to highlight or work on before they apply. He has been a great person to have because he is able to assist the client with learning how to get their own resources and information and direct them to financial literacy and workshops at libraries, community centers and community colleges in the area.
Processes/Reporting: Here is an area in which you can really benefit from an expert and not have to rely on pulling a dozen staff people together to work on these tasks that haven’t been looked at since the last time they were due (hypothetical situation
). ReServe has incredibly skilled people who have done this work in their sleep and can not only assist with tasks as their due but set up improved processes and procedures that can assist staff with understanding and being able to do things more effectively.Orientation/Assessment: This is another great area for the person looking for the warm fuzzy experience, which we often sell to volunteers and corporate partners because this is something that people often seek when giving their time. This could be a great position for a former social worker, therapist, etc but also the properly trained former corporate executive who wants to connect with clients and see them through a crucial process on their way to work.
By using ReServists we are being financially responsible as these individuals would cost a lot more to compensate in a traditional position and we are also supporting our own missions as ReServe is one of Fedcap’s own brands. Most importantly, we are getting access to highly skilled, experienced and willing people to help us grow our programs and processes while working directly with our staff and potentially mentoring or developing them.
