Return-Path: <nifl-workplace@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id f3P2k5f19080; Tue, 24 Apr 2001 22:46:06 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2001 22:46:06 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <NFBBIKLPIKFKKLFAOBAAAELNCBAA.haw6@psu.edu> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-workplace@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-workplace@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-workplace@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "H. A. C. Watson" <haw6@psu.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-workplace@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-WORKPLACE:151] Working with Employers PAWIN Answers X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2910.0) Status: O Content-Length: 3458 Lines: 74 Thank you to Diane, for posting the next set of answers to the questions. Here are the PA WIN answers! 1. How do providers approach employers? This is a simplistic outline of what we encourage PA WIN affiliates to do. We offer a variety of training forums through the network to support them in this endeavor: Step 1 - GET THE WORD OUT r Brainstorm with your staff r Work with your PA WIN region to develop a marketing plan. r Offer to speak to: 1.Local CareerLink, WIB, Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development organizations; 2. Professional organizations (ASTD, SHIRM, etc.), Local civic clubs (Kiwanis, Lions, etc.). r Ask your ABE students where they work. r Present to the Board of your own organization and see if they have any leads. Step 2 - FOLLOW UP ON LEADS r Contact the businesses with “potential.” Write a letter. Make follow up calls. r Return phone calls immediately. r Set up appointments to come talk. Be responsive. Be faster than expected. Step 3 - FIRST MEETING – INFORMATION GATHERING WITH PRIMARY CONTACT Ask Lots of Open Ended Questions: r What are the issues – What do they want to see occurring differently after training? r Who are the stakeholders? Who has a vested interest in the issues describe? Who could represent them on the training team? r Share what your organization could offer…foundation skills assessment and training, application for PA WIN funding to offset costs. r What is their budget for foundation skills training? 2. How interested are employers in foundation skills training? Many employers are very interested in foundation skills training. In the last year, PA WIN affiliates have been awarded over 40 grants to provide customized foundation skills training in the workplace. If you consider that this past year is really the first year that the Network has been fully operational, this is quite a statement. These affiliates have been in negotiations with over 200 employers in this time period to at least discuss the issue of foundation skills in the workplace. The potential market for growth is phenomenal. 3. Do employers understand "foundation skills"? If not, how do you help them understand what they are? It is hard to say whether they understand or not. They have expressed a need and so that opens the door for dialogue and diagnostic work to determine which foundation skills they are most concerned about. This means we must be speaking a common language. PA WIN uses a process developed by the Framework for Foundation Skills project (http://www.ed.psu.edu/foundationskills/default.asp) to help employers unlock their foundation skills needs. 4. How interested are they in paying for the service? The PA WIN mini-grants allow the employer to “try out” foundation skills training one time to see if it makes an impact in their organizations. We are finding that many of the employers re-hire the PA WIN affiliate to conduct more training. 5. How much time does it take to "nurture" a relationship between the employer and provider? Is it worth it? How do you know? The numbers for PA WIN are still preliminary but we are seeing that for every four employers worked with, one contract results. The contract is often not immediate and we hear over and over again that patience and timing is everything. Some affiliates with experience have reported as much as 2 years between the initial meeting and a contract for training. The average time span is 4-8 months.
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