The WorkPlace Mobilizer - October / November 2006

Career Connections teaches students web design; creates new career resource for Bridgeport youth

“Expect great things!” is the mantra of Bridgeport Public Schools. A new youth project hopes to contribute in tangible ways, helping youth to expect great things - online. .

From left, Dr. Susan Spivack of Bassick High School and Career Connections Instructor Uriela Overend.

Career Connections, a joint project of The WorkPlace, Inc. and Bridgeport’s High Schools, will teach web design to students, and create a website which provides career and employment information for youth.
"This website, designed by teens for teens will be a cool, fun resource to better prepare youth for the future,” said the project’s manager and Workforce Development Specialist Marisol Rivera.
“It will provide information about higher education, and careers, and will also help develop skills, knowledge, and motivation,” said Rivera.
Twenty-four students from Central, Harding, and Bassick High Schools have recently begun classroom training on web design. The students are in a business magnet computer class taught by Dr. Susan Spivack. The website has a projected launch date of early 2007.
The Career Connections project was made possible through the cooperation of many individuals in Bridgeport High Schools and through grants from STAPLES and AT&T.
For more information, contact Marisol Rivera, (203) 610-8558.

New credential addresses need for qualified entry-level workers

A gap in basic work readiness has been identified nationally, and Southwestern Connecticut is one of the areas moving toward a solution.
The WorkPlace, Inc. has been accepted as a site for the final testing phase of the National Work Readiness Credential, prior to full national rollout in early 2007.
The National Work Readiness Credential is the first universal, transferable, national standard for work readiness.
The Credential does not replace academics, high school, post-secondary education, or occupational skills training but rather assesses the ability of an individual to perform basic entry-level tasks.
The Credential was developed with strong business involvement. Key partners include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, National Retail Federation, National Institute for Literacy, JA Worldwide, and the states of Florida, New Jersey, New York, Washington, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia.
Staff from The WorkPlace, Inc. and Career Resources, Inc. have been trained as proctors for administering standardized assessment tests and are encouraging customers from various programs to participate.
This Credential, and the process of preparing jobseekers needing basic work readiness, can be a significant added service of CTWorks Career Centers for businesses and our workforce development partners.
For more information, contact Scott Wilderman at (203) 334-5627 x395.

Program engages organizations in workforce development: New Vision Ministries hosts successful career fair

New Vision International Development Corporation is one of six faith-based and community-based organizations selected to provide outreach, recruitment, intensive case management, and support services to low-income working individuals, ex-offenders, and individuals with limited English proficiency in Southwestern Connecticut.
Under Making It Real, a project of The WorkPlace, Inc., funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, organizations receive support in strengthening and expanding their capacity to place participants in employment, benefiting regional high-growth industry clusters including advanced manufacturing, office services, and hospitality/entertainment/tourism.
On September 18, Kingdom Connections, a division of New Vision International Ministries, held a career fair that served over 150 participants. Thirty-eight companies attended the career fair, including, Sodexho, UPS, Norwalk Police Department, St. Vincent’s Hospital, H&R Block, RHD & JCPenny’s.
Employment training programs and schools were also onsite. At least 18 people received employment offers subsequent to the fair.
“The fair furthered the cause of Making It Real, The WorkPlace, Inc., and New Vision International Development Corporation/Kingdom Connections,” said Director of Kingdom Connections Tangie Beaty, “to reconnect companies and low-income clients to better their financial situations.”
The career fair was advertised to area non-profit agencies via print and radio advertisements. Many participants received a personal invitation. New Vision/Kingdom Connections hopes to host a job fair, focused solely on companies that are seeking employees, in March 2007.
“The career fair is an excellent example of how faith-based organizations can leverage their resources and connections in the community to fit the needs of businesses,’ said Project Manager Michael McCarthy. “It is a win-win for residents, employers and the economy.”
For more information contact Michael McCarthy at (203) 610-8554 or mmcarthy@workplace.org.

The President's Report by Joe Carbone

No matter what business you are in, you probably depend on bright, capable people to drive innovation and to achieve results. As the predictions of skilled worker shortages become a steady drumbeat, businesses and regions are asking how they can “grow” more talent faster.
David Heenan, author of Flight Capital: The Alarming Exodus of America’s Best and Brightest, writes “Forget terrorism. Forget weapons of mass destruction. The next global war will be fought over human capital.” He adds, “After centuries of importing brainpower, the United States is now a net exporter.”
And in his work on regional competitiveness, Richard Florida rates metropolitan areas on the key factors of “Talent”, “Tolerance” and “Technology”.
As we move forward on initiatives to enhance our own region’s attractiveness as a place to work and to live, these insights and other analyses will help us choose winning approaches.

The WorkPlace Inc. has training funds available for businesses to enhance their employees skills.

Call Tom Long at (203) 610-8528.

The WorkPlace launches Toastmasters Club
Improve your communication skills. Open to employees of Greater Bridgeport Area non-profits. November 14. 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in Training Room C, 2nd Floor, 350 Lafayette Blvd., Bridgeport. RSVP by November 10 to Tom Long at (203) 610-8528 or tlong@workplace.org.

Disabilities Task Force Quarterly Meeting
December 8, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 2nd Fl., 350 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport. Panel discussion on New Practices in Mental Health Recovery. For info contact Susan Kintner at (203) 610-8548.

The WorkPlace, Inc. Board Meeting
December 15, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Trumbull Marriott. RSVP to Millie Brighindi at (203) 610-8522.