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__ _ CAREERS EDITION 2001
A Welfare to Work Program
that Transforms Lives
F or T he P ur i l and O bserver
A s a slow m oving econom y puts
a new focus on em ploym ent policy,
a pilot project at Portland C o m m u ­
nity C ollege (PC C ) is helping co m ­
panies and their em ployees reduce
tu rnover and increase p ro d u ctiv ­
ity, and helping em ployees build
good careers
T he program , the C areer T ra n ­
script System (C T S), is based on
the idea that positive co m m u n ica­
tion betw een supervisors and em ­
ployees im proves the w orkplace.
C T S g iv e s su p e rv iso rs a s tr u c ­
tured w ay to coach and develop
their em ployees, and it helps em ­
ployees build up solid w orkplace
skills and boost their self-esteem .
F or Terri G reenfield, D ean o f
the B usiness and G overnm ent D e­
partm ent at PCC, the availability o f
the w orkplace liaison - or "c o ac h ”
- is the m ost im portant aspect o f
the program because “they act as a
sounding board an d offer ad vice
an d sup p o rt to p ro g ram p a rtic i­
p an ts." A ccording to G reenfield,
the C T S program “ is w hat hum an
reso u rce d ep a rtm en ts sh o u ld be
d o in g .”
C T S advances the developm ent
o f core w orkplace skills that are
crucial for success in any jo b . CTS
u se s o b je c tiv e an d w o rk -b a s e d
evaluations to assess on a regular
basis a p erso n 's p roficiency w ith
core skills. T he resu lts are then
rec o rd e d on a p e rso n ’s “C a re e r
T ranscript,” w hich is sim ilar to a
resum e. T he C areer T ranscript is a
constantly changing d o cu m en t that
reflects an ap p lica n t’s m ost up-to-
date education and w ork ex p e ri­
ence. In addition to hig h lig h tin g an
e m p lo y e e ’s stre n g th s, it ca n be
utilized as a p ro fessio n al d ev e lo p ­
m ent tool by identifying skills that
need to be im proved. T h is allow s
em ployers to p ro v id e th e n ec es­
sary training to help the em p lo y ee
reach his or her full potential.
T he P ortland C T S p ro g ram is
based at the D epartm ent o f S ocial
S ervices one-stop cen ter in p a rt­
nership w ith Portland C o m m u n ity
C o lleg e. T h e p ro g ra m w as first
im plem ented in P ortland in M ay
2000 and th ere are cu rren tly 94
activ e p articip an ts in the program .
A m ajo rity o f p articip an ts are single
m others. In C T S sites aro u n d the
country, jo b reten tio n is increas­
ing, w ages are increasing, and skills
are im proving.
A variety o f businesses - 22 in all -
take part in the program by hiring CTS
participants and providing the neces­
sary support these employees need to
help ensure their success on the job.
Participating businesses in the area
include hospitals, rehabilitation cen­
ters, assisted living centers, grocery
stores and retail stores.
O ne o f the m ain goals o f the
program is to in crease em p lo y ees’
skills in order to ach iev e the type o f
upw ard m o bility in th e w orkplace
that w ill en su re th at participants
get o ff - an d stay o f f - w elfare.
For m o re in fo rm atio n , contact
M elissa S ib erts at 4 1 0 /5 1 6 -5 1 9 0
or Liz G o o d m an at 202/667-0901.
“One Stop Shopping” for Job Seekers
F or T he P ortland O bserver
1 always enjoy the “O ne Stop
Shopping” concept w hen I go to a
Fred M eyer’s. You can get al­
most anything at those stores. But
what about for other areas in your
life -lik e getting a job? W ouldn’t
it be great if you could go into one
place, do the w hole thing and
come out happily em ployed with a
great job? W ell, now you can!
Picture this: You m ake one stop
and have resources available, from
A-Z to becom e em ployed. Port­
land C om m unity C ollege has a
group o f W ork Force Training
C enters that are truly “ one-stop­
pers.”
The W ork Force Training C en­
ters will help you with your resume,
offer job postings and w hatever
else it takes. There are com put­
ers and faxes along w ith a whole
host o f other services at your
disposal. They even bring the
em ployers to you. Each week,
em ployers visit the C areer C en­
ter and talk about their com pany’s
jo b opportunities. You can inquire
about them while they are inter­
view ing you. If it is a m atch, they
can recruit you right there.
As part o f the program , jo b
seekers will undergo a series o f
tests to assess skills and talents.
Training and career upgrading is
given over a 6 - 12 month period.
The centers use a “needs based”
training approach that's tailored
for the jo b seeker. This m eans
you d o n ’t have to becom e w hat­
ever kind o f em ployee they have
training for at the tim e, such as
w hen dislocated log truck drivers
w ere all trained to be com puter
operators. P C C ’s m ain goal is to
give you the kind o f skills that will
get you back to work, not at just
any jo b , but the right one for you.
If all this is not enough, m aybe the
cost will convince you: it’s free. If
you are out there and stuck in
your jo b search, use the resources
through the W ork Force Training
C enters through Portland C om ­
munity College. Call 503/244-61 11
for m ore inform ation.
★
Portland Metropolitan
Workforce Training Center
5600 N.E. 42nd
Portland, OR. 97218
503/943-2000
503/943-2221
★
Central
Portland
Workforce Training Center
1626 S.E. Water Ave.
Portland, OR.
503/731-6600
P hoto by M. W ashington
★ Washington
County Pat Sheehan is a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. To
Workforce Training Center
qualify, an applicant must pass the official Postal Carrier exam with a
18624 N.W. Walker Rd.
70% or higher. A letter carrier can start off as part-time flexible for 2-3
years, earning $14.65 per hour with opportunity to do overtime. After
Beaverton, OR. 97005
serving 10 - 15 years, the salary increases to over $20 per hour.
503/533-2700
Excellent benefits are included.
Getting the Perfect Job:
A How-to Formula
By R on W eber tor T he P ortland O bserver
Statistically,between seventy-five to ninety percentoftheworkforee are dissatisfied
with their jobs. More than fifty percent are downright disappointed with their
profession, and about twenty-five percent o f our working population uses the word
“hate” when asked how they like their job. Do they really hate their jobs, or is it just
working that they don’t like.
Here is a simple four-point formula that will aide in pursuing the perfect job match
every time. As a suggestion, try asking yourself these questions when applying for
, Small classes
work:
1. Do I like the job? D on’t be concerned with the people, bosses, etc. Just ask
yourself if you like the work.
2
Is it a job 1 can do (physically, mentally and emotionally)?
3.
Have I been trained or schooled to do this kind o f work?
4
Do I have experience in this job? Have I done it in the past?
Obviously, ifyou are young or new to the working world, you won’tbeableto answer
yes to all four questions, but these basic questions can help you aim for your “dream
Real-world
| instructors
job."
Ifyou can answer yes to all four categories, then you are probably right where you
should be. Like it or not, this is as good as it gets. Ifit is your boss, co-workers, or on-
the-job politics that is spoiling it for you, you’re not alone. Many American workers
today tell you that they don’t like their bosses and the way the company runs itself
politically. For one moment, imagine yourself on a remote island with no boss or co­
workers. Pretend all the working conditions are just the way you want them. Then ask
yourself if you really enjoy this kind o f work. If you don't, then find something you
do like. D x k fo rth a t "perfectjob.” Then work on getting it. Sometimes it takes time.
Once you get as close as you can to what is best for you, then it’s a matter o f working
on the conditions, some o f which you just have to accept and get on with it
Easy transfer
Low cost
Here are some hints and suggestions:
1.
Stay out o f work related politics as much as possible. This may mean just
“doing what you are told” at times. Most bosses do not want a lot o f arguing back at
them about their decisions. Many bosses have their hands tied from up above.
If you think these add
up to a great education,
you’ve already passed
your first test.
Disagreeing with them will not do any good anyway.
2
Stay off the “gossip train.”
3
Just be the best worker-among-workers you can be. Leave the decision
making to the people who are paid to do it Ifyou try running the company from a lower
or mid-level, you will only put yourself at odds with the real decision makers.
4
Put your energies towards doing the best you can and then shoot for more.
Ask the company to cross-train you at other jobs. Sign up for classes and show a
willingness to learn. Phis makes you more versatile and tells your superiors you are
teachable
5.
While on the job, show respect for the management chain o f your company.
Whether you like it or not. they do run the business.
6
Showyourselfasateamplayer. Selfishlyisolatingyourselfasalonerisaquick
way to end up spending years without advancement.
7.
Ask questions. Letyourbossesknowyouareinterestedinhowthecompany
runs Let diem know you want to help create the best working environment possible.
a
Ifyou are not where you want to be, tell them. Show them this four-step
process and let them help you get there. Obviously they have expenenced advance­
ment and should know how to help you do the same.
9
Sm ileandshowagoodattitude. Both co-workers and superiors really enjoy
working with a person who is positive. No one wants to listen to a whiner or habitual
complainer. I augh and the world laughs with you. Complain and you will be eating
lunch alone.
10.
W hyhasn’tm oneybeenm entioned'’ Because, it tsa lousy motivator Ifyou
really don’t likeyourjob, all the money in the world w on’thelp. Ifyou do like your job.
you will excel at it, and the money will come naturally. Someone who Ls a team player,
has a good attitude, gets along with their bosses and performs on the job well can’t
help but do well. Find what it Ls you are supposed to be doing. Do it well. Cooperate
with those around you. Be patient and the rewards will come. You can “bank” on it
<
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Classes s ta rt th e w eek o f June 25
C all 503-978-5282.
Portland
Community
College
w w w .pcc.edu
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