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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
 

Pre-employment Services
 

Community-based assessment and training
Participants are placed at work sites out in the community.  Goodwill staff help them learn their job duties, monitor their progress, and incorporate their evaluations into employment planning. Community-based assessment and training services are available in Spokane, Moses Lake, Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint and Lewiston.

Facility-based assessment and training
This is used to help evaluate an individual’s readiness to work and ability to perform tasks in one or more specific jobs.  Learning the tasks is measured as part of planning for regular employment. Facility-based assessment and training services are available in Spokane, Moses Lake, Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint and Lewiston.

Formal assessment (testing)
Tools used by Goodwill’s staff help participants learn what kind of work they would like to do and where they would most likely succeed.  Formal testing includes IQ, aptitude, and interest measurement. Formal assessment (testing) services are available in Spokane, Moses Lake, Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint and Lewiston.

Real Time Work Assessment
This service for WorkFirst participants provides an opportunity for Goodwill Workforce Development staff to observe them in a real and paid work environment to help determine their ability to perform in competitive employment. Different types of jobs are available and training is provided. Real Time Work Assessment is available in Spokane and Moses Lake.
 

Skills training (classroom)
Varying by location, Goodwill’s skills training programs prepare participants for specific occupations:

  • Computer applications
     

  • Office administrative assistant
     

  • Retail professional

Skills training (classroom) is available in Spokane, Moses Lake, and Lewiston.
 

“Soft skills” training
Participants learn how to set goals, develop a resume, prepare for job interviews, select appropriate work attire, and manage personal issues such as child care, transportation, and stress. "Soft skills" training is available in Spokane, Moses Lake, Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint and Lewiston.

Work adjustment/hardening
Sometimes individuals with disabilities participate in work adjustment to prepare for entering the workforce.  An example of work hardening would be a person with an injury performing tasks while staff monitor his/her ability to do so and evaluate any limitations. Work adjustment/hardening services are available in Spokane, Moses Lake, Coeur d'Alene, Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint.

Work experience/school transition
Young people with disabilities may be able to participate in job experiences that will help them make the transition from school to work.  One such program, High School/High Tech, encourages the students to explore future careers in technology. Work experience/school transition services are available in Spokane and Moses Lake.

 

Job Placement Services

Career readiness
Individuals with disabilities or disadvantages learn how to prepare for work.  Training includes developing resumes and cover letters, interviewing skills, and filling out job applications.  Participants may receive assistance in obtaining a driver’s license or food handler’s card.
Career readiness services are available in Spokane, Moses Lake, Coeur d'Alene, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint and Lewiston.

Group supported employment
Under the guidance of a Goodwill job coach, individuals with disabilities work at similar tasks in close proximity.  The job coach is able to analyze their tasks, train them on their duties, measure their productivity, and provide retraining and other support as needed. Group supported employment services are available in Spokane and Moses Lake.
    
Individual supported employment
Goodwill’s job coaches also play key roles in individual supported employment, providing one-to-one training, ongoing monitoring, and methods to help one participant at a time succeed at his/her job.  Participants work at sites in the community. Individual supported employment services are available in Spokane, Moses Lake, Coeur d'Alene, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint and Lewiston.

Job coaching and retention services
Once a program participant has obtained employment, a Goodwill job coach may work side-by-side with him/her to learn and master job duties.  Services to help the participant maintain employment include working well with others and meeting workplace expectations.
Job coaching and retention services are available in Spokane, Moses Lake, Coeur d'Alene, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint and Lewiston.

Job placement
Staff assist participants in identifying appropriate openings, preparing a resume, practicing interview skills, and completing applications.  Staff may contact prospective employers to find appropriate job openings and, as needed, participate in the interviewing process.  Sometimes staff assist with on-the-job training. Job placement services are available in Spokane, Moses Lake, Coeur d'Alene, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint and Lewiston.

Job search assistance
Goodwill staff help participants explore different kinds of positions and locate job openings that are possible good matches.  Participants learn to use various resources, which may include the Internet.
Job search assistance is available in Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint and Lewiston.

Vocational counseling
Members of Goodwill’s Workforce Development and Social Services staff use their formal training and experience to assist participants in setting realistic career goals, identifying steps to reach them, and identifying and overcoming potential barriers to successful employment, such as family or transportation issues. Vocational counseling is available in Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint and Lewiston.

WorkSource Spokane affiliate
In partnership with the Spokane Area Workforce Development Council and WorkSource Spokane, Goodwill assists local job-seekers as an approved WorkSource affiliate. Anyone seeking employment may use computers in Goodwill’s downtown Spokane office for Internet job searches, applying for unemployment benefits, and posting resumes and can fax resumes to prospective employers. WorkSource Spokane Goodwill affiliate is in downtown Spokane.

  

Specialized Programs

Community Gateway for ex-offenders
Under contract with the Washington State Employment Security Department’s Offender Employment Services, Goodwill assists offenders by connecting them to partner agencies in the community with the goal of their becoming able to obtain and maintain employment and stability. Community Gateway for ex-offenders is available in Spokane.
Community Jobs for welfare-to-work participants
Individuals who are transitioning from public assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families/TANF) are able to earn income, gain work experience and establish a work history from temporary positions lasting up to six months.  Goal of the program is obtaining regular, unsubsidized employment in the community, becoming self-supporting.  Funded by the Washington Office of Community, Trade and Economic Development. Community Jobs for welfare-to-work participants is available in Moses Lake. 
Inland Northwest Culinary Arts
This innovative 12-week course, developed by Goodwill in northern Idaho, provides classroom and hands-on learning to prepare students for careers in the commercial cooking industry.  Led by an experienced chef with guest instructors from the hospitality field, classes are held in an actual restaurant, using professional equipment and techniques. Students may receive job placement assistance.  For information about course schedule and enrollment, please call (208) 263-3079.

Moving Forward
Under the Homeless Housing and Assistance Act, counties and cities are required to allocate funds to reduce homelessness.  Funds are raised through surcharges on documents, generally mortgages being processed.  Spokane awarded funds to Goodwill Industries to provide pre-employment services to men and women transitioning from shelters or other homelessness to self-sufficiency.  Classes and individual vocational counseling help participants prepare for work, identify goals and opportunities, and access other resources in the community.  For more information, please call (509)444-4700 in Spokane.


PAYS - Planning Action for Youth Success
In partnership with the Spokane Area Workforce Development Council, Goodwill offers low-income youth ages 17-21 opportunities to gain training, paid work experience, and job placement services.  Participants learn how to set goals and prepare for job interviews and, if necessary, are guided in how to complete their secondary education. PAYS- Planning Action for Youth Success is available in Spokane.

Ticket To Work
This work incentive program is administered by the Social Security Administration for individuals ages 18-64 who are receiving Social Security Insurance and/or Social Security Disability Insurance.  Goodwill is an Employer Network that can provide pre-employment and job placement services for recipients of Ticket To Work. Ticket To Work services are available in Spokane, Moses Lake, Coeur d'Alene, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint and Lewiston.


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