We work through their career goals, both short- and long-term.
Career Exploration Workshops
Every client will complete our Career Exploration workshop, which focuses on the importance of finding the right job. Numerous times we have seen clients accept a job for the sake of a paycheck but then leave the job within a week because it was not the right fit. We utilize the O*NET Career Assessment for each of our clients to eliminate issues. We look at their strengths, job compatibility and personality characteristics that translate well in certain career areas. We evaluate a list of jobs that they can work right now with their current experience and jobs that require more experience. We work through their career goals, both short- and long-term. Each client will leave our Career Exploration workshops with a new and positive outlook about their strengths, jobs that are a good fit and career goals that they will focus on during their services with us.
JOB SEARCH AND PLACEMENT
Clients work one-on-one with a vocational specialist on resume development and filling out applications online and in-person, according to the career choice. Vocational specialists also will assist in how to follow up on applications, attend interviews, practice self-advocacy, identify accommodations needed in the workplace following ADA requirements and seek on-the-job counseling. All clients can utilize our services for as long as they are a WYGC client.
Work Adjustment Training
Work Adjustment Training (WAT) is a 90-day sheltered work environment that is currently operating out of our Windhaven Kitchen, where lunches are prepared for WYGC in-patient facilities. The purpose of WAT is to address the needs, abilities, strengths and barriers to employment in preparation for obtaining competitive employment. WAT is a perfect opportunity for someone who has not worked in a while, wants to learn specific skills that relate to a career goal, and who wishes to focus on skills and habits that make an individual more employable, such as effective communication, proper hygiene, the ability to accept direction and abide by a structured schedule, etc. After completing the 90-day program, clients will be ready for the job search.
WYGC Vocational Services is excited to announce two new partnerships with Stepping Stones Agencies and The Salvation Army. Our Work Adjustment Training program has gained two new work sites for our clients to be able to complete on-the-job training. Our WAT clients will be trained by these companies and work for 90 days in a sheltered work environment in positions such as: cashier, merchandise stocker, distribution assistant and dishwasher. We also have the Windhaven Café WAT site that provides lunches to our hospital and treatment centers. Clients will work as Kitchen Staff during their 90 days at this site. Our Work Adjustment Training program is beneficial for clients who have no prior work experience, barriers to employment, lack of soft skills, and who are not ready for competitive employment. Not only are clients able to work for these companies for 90 days and receive hands-on training, they also will be accompanied by a job coach working one-on-one with the client and assisting as needed. Job coaches help clients with additional training, time management skills, understanding pay and taxes, understanding how employment affects benefits and so much more. We will be adding more community partners within the next few months and look forward to growing this service in 2021. QCBN
By Jon Cacy
Jon Cacy is the program manager for WYGC Vocational Services. He can be reached at j.cacy@wygc.org.
