Thursday, May 30, 2013
If Immigrant Workers Become as Lazy as American Workers
For 15 years, I have been trying to help people find
employment. In those 15 years, I have never seen so many people uninterested in
working. Two quick examples: First, we are hosting a small job fair tomorrow;
we had to send some 4400 flyers and make close to 200 individual calls to
unemployed constituents in order to secure 30 commitments to attend the job
fair. A shale employer visited our center today and told me that 35-40% of the
people he schedules for a job interview are no-call/no-shows on interview day.
On the flip side, we have hosted recruitments and seminars at Catholic
Charities for our foreign-born workers. If we invite 20 job seekers, 40-50
eager job seekers show up for the event.
Now, I’ll say this. Even the motivation amongst our
foreign-born workers has changed in the past 18 to 24 months. I see more and
more foreign born citizens living on government subsidies than ever before.
Much like those individuals who cycle through the criminal justice system, this
group is becoming a drain on the tax base instead of contributors to the tax
base. At the end of the day, as educators we should be helping all residents
secure employment. We can complain all we want about federal budgets, but the
bottom line is this: If more is going out than is coming in, the bucket will
eventually be empty.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Helping an Ex-Offender Secure Employment? Employer Perspective
Some quotes from recent Reentry Employment Series webinars that I thought might be interesting and/or useful to others serving the ex-offender population…
Jim Rodak of TRIAD Staffing in Cleveland, Ohio said:
"Even if there is nothing to put on a resume, it is important to have a resume. Most hiring managers are going to say, 'Send me a resume.'"
"Companies restrict themselves by NOT looking at ex-offenders as possible job candidates."
“Reentry employees are a huge asset to employers.”
Scott Baker, Owner of 5 Generation Bakers in Pittsburgh, PA, said:
"Criminal history is part of an individual's resume...include 'pen' work experience"
"The most important things to be said are the hardest to say. Tell clients to be honest about their criminal record."
“I did not know there was a list of Felony Friendly Employers.” When asked what he would ask of job developers in return for job opportunities, Mr. Baker replied, “Do not put me on the list!”
Jeff Block of Weatherford International:
“I look for three things on a resume…what you made, what you saved, and what you achieved.”
Chaz Kellem of The Pittsburgh Pirates said:
“Employers are still trying to figure out their role and responsibility in regard to helping ex-offenders reenter the workforce.”
Jim Rodak of TRIAD Staffing in Cleveland, Ohio said:
"Even if there is nothing to put on a resume, it is important to have a resume. Most hiring managers are going to say, 'Send me a resume.'"
"Companies restrict themselves by NOT looking at ex-offenders as possible job candidates."
“Reentry employees are a huge asset to employers.”
Scott Baker, Owner of 5 Generation Bakers in Pittsburgh, PA, said:
"Criminal history is part of an individual's resume...include 'pen' work experience"
"The most important things to be said are the hardest to say. Tell clients to be honest about their criminal record."
“I did not know there was a list of Felony Friendly Employers.” When asked what he would ask of job developers in return for job opportunities, Mr. Baker replied, “Do not put me on the list!”
Jeff Block of Weatherford International:
“I look for three things on a resume…what you made, what you saved, and what you achieved.”
Chaz Kellem of The Pittsburgh Pirates said:
“Employers are still trying to figure out their role and responsibility in regard to helping ex-offenders reenter the workforce.”
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