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Renowned for its "rapid attachment to work" model, America Works has advocated outcome-based welfare-to-work and prison-to-work programs since its inception. It currently runs large-scale, multi-site programs across the United States. To learn about our specific programs, click here.
America Works specializes in a full range of entry-level positions including receptionist, secretary, word processor, mailroom clerk, customer service representative, cashier, security guard, and factory/warehouse worker, among others. The salary for our placements typically ranges from $15,500 to $18,000 annually.
Nationwide, our offices bring in hundreds of new openings per week and finds jobs for more than 2000 candidates per month. Having many jobs - and a wide variety of jobs - allows us to place people according to their skills and interests. This strategy translates into higher long-term retention rates.
Candidates
Although America Works places hard-to-serve people into jobs at all skill levels, the typical recipient of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) that we successfully place has been on welfare for five years and scores academically at the 8th grade level. (TANF is commonly known as welfare.) Fifty percent of our candidates do not have a GED or high school diploma.
Approach
Our Job Readiness program prepares candidates for specific jobs; curricula are geared to the specific hard and soft skills that employers demand most often. Candidates participate in up to four weeks of training, focusing on soft skills like communications, getting along with colleagues, developing a positive attitude, and interviewing tips. We encourage them to brush up on their skills. For clerical workers, this can mean taking typing tests, for example. This ensures that our candidates have an advantage when competing for positions against outside applicants. Then we prepare candidates for interviews, match them with job openings, and arrange interviews with potential employers.
Placement
Two key elements of our Supported Work model are our excellent employer relationships and our intensive follow-up support. Our seasoned sales representatives compete amongst each other to place candidates into well-suited jobs; performance bonuses are awarded to those who consistently make placements that work - and placements that last.
In some cases, candidates are placed at companies for up to a four-month training period, called Supported Work, wherein employers pay candidates an hourly wage which is subsidized by America Works. During this crucial time, we provide hands-on training at no additional cost; this helps improves our retention rates in the long run by getting candidates off to a strong start.
However, not every candidate engages in Supported Work; some go directly onto a company's payroll in unsubsidized positions.
Case Management
A case manager mentors candidates by visiting them and their supervisors at the job site and meeting with them during non-working hours at least once per week to monitor attendance and personal improvements. They act as an advocate, partner, mentor, and supervisor, helping candidates confront the professional and personal challenges of entering the workforce. For example, they coach the participant on workplace skills and appropriate behaviors.
They also help candidates coordinate work obligations with social services by verifying they receive the counseling and ancillary services necessary to ensure long-term workplace success. For six months after candidates obtain unsubsidized employment, the case management process continues. Each case manager has a manageable caseload of approximately 20 candidates.
Supportive Services
America Works recognizes that the barriers to employment among its hard-to-place candidates are daunting. For this reason, we collaborate with a range of social service providers that tend to the wide variety of clients' needs. This can include food stamps and shelters.
Advancement Services
It is important that candidates take advantage of growth opportunities so America Works encourages them to continually improve their work and interpersonal skills. The majority of the positions in which we place participants provide for career growth and advancement.
America Works' case managers encourage participants to take advantage of training and educational opportunities available in their communities. Doing so allows them to improve their market value for future advancements and to obtain salary increases. Historically, those programs have included GED, ESL, college credits, and vocational training. We enroll participants in an array of educational and training programs depending on their availability in the community.
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