Survey of Best Practices in Community-Based Employment Training and Placement

摘要

Greater North-Pulaski Development Corporation (GNPDC), a nonprofit neighborhood-based industrial and community development corporation, conducted this original research to identify best practices in community-based employment training and placement nationwide. The research focused around in-depth surveys of agencies involved in the field, a literature review, and the convening of an advisory panel. The report discusses three categories of best practices: employer oriented, client oreinted, and network oriented. It also provides profiles of eight community-based employment training and placement agencies, each utilizing one or more of these approaches. A survey of labor force needs among industrial companies in that community supplement the best practices survey. The survey findings will guide GNPDC in designing a program for its Northwest Chicago community that will network local employers with community-based training organizations. The best programs displayed one or more of the following features: (1) An emphasis on direct, active employer involvement in the formation and management of the program; (2) A networking function that encourages employer input and involvement, facilities communications, and improves efficiency of a neighborhood-based approach; (3) Training and placement practices that meet the needs of clients who are often not academically oriented; (4) Recognition of job retention by the client as a critical issue.