Maria Heidkamp Director, New Start Career Network Ready to Work Business Collaborative Employer Leadership Roundtable, March 15, 2017

Long-term Unemployment During and After the Great Recession in New Jersey More than 73,000 people in New Jersey – or 3 in 10 of the unemployed were LTU in 2016 Over three-quarters are unemployed a year or longer Roughly half are over 45 years old

Who are the Long-term Unemployed? Affects all: Levels of education Income groups Ages Occupations Industries

Why are So Many People Unemployed for So Long? Caused by: Worst recession in 70 years; slow recovery Age discrimination Outdated job search skills Lack of support and services Attitudes and assumptions of employers about the long-term unemployed

Why are So Many People Unemployed for So Long? NOT caused by: Skills shortages Lack of effort by the unemployed Reluctance to accept lower pay Dependence on governmental programs

The Devastating Impacts “I just want to get my life back” — Unemployed worker Financial disasters: Diminished earnings, more debt, bankruptcies, and foreclosures Depleted savings, early or delayed retirement Damaged health: Skipping visits to doctors, illness, stress, anxiety, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, suicide Families in crisis Government services: Higher spending on social supports; less revenues

The Long-term Unemployed are Not Getting Much Help Government aid other than Unemployment Insurance Help from job coach 9% 13% Attend job club/ networking meeting Job training 4% 10%

The goal of the New Start Career Network is to provide older (ages 45+), long-term unemployed New Jersey job seekers with access to free, personalized career services, including web-based information resources and in-person and virtual career coaching. Become a Member @ newstartcareernetwork.org

New Start Career Network Volunteer Career Coaches Information and Advice Older, Long-term Unemployed Job Seeker Employer Engagement Access and Referral to Services

NSCN Partners and Collaborators

NSCN Quick Facts (as of 3/1/17) Launch Date: October 20, 2015 Current Number of Job Seeker Members: 2,050 Number of NSCN Volunteer Career Coaches: 217 Number of Members Working with Coaches: 317 (15%) Average Age of NSCN Members: 56 Education: 42% have a 4-year college degree; 26% have a graduate degree Former Industry: IT (17%), Finance & Insurance (15%), Health Care (12%), Professional & Business Services (12%) Average Time Unemployed: 1.9 years

Challenges facing NSCN Members Stigma of long-term unemployment—evidence that LTU job seekers are passed over by employers, even when they have the requisite skills, credentials and experience. Age discrimination—age has always been a factor, and the combination of age and long-term unemployment seems especially challenging for job seekers. Diminished confidence—after months and years of unsuccessful job searching, LTU job seekers may be suffering from low self-esteem and a lack of confidence about their prospects. Depression—some LTU job seekers have sunk into some level of depression; some are angry and anxious. Can result in poor presentation, especially in interviews.

Challenges facing NSCN Members Isolation and weak social networks—many LTU job seekers are ashamed and retreat; many feel they have exhausted their opportunities to ask their former co-workers, friends, family for help finding jobs. Outdated credentials and/or skills; weak computer skills. Outdated or ineffective job search techniques—many are addicted to the computer for job search but not utilizing social media effectively and not using “facilitated networking” techniques. Unrealistic expectations—though the longer they are unemployed, the more they are willing to compromise.

Employer Engagement Goals Obtain commitments to consider qualified LTU job seekers. Revise HR practices that reduce opportunities for LTU job seekers, such as applicant tracking systems that exclude LTU or anyone with below-average credit ratings. Partner with the public workforce system, community colleges, and nonprofits to promote on-the-job training and tax credit for hiring LTUs. Include older and LTU workers as workforce diversity and inclusion initiatives. 45 Employers participated in our 11/30/16 Job Fair! Wells Fargo, Prudential, Coca-Cola, Inventiv Health, UPS, Verizon Wireless, Robert Half Next Job Fair: June 14, 2017

Become our Employer Partner! By partnering with NSCN, you will reach an overlooked source of talent, while also helping the communities and economy of our state. Ways to partner with the NSCN include: Helping raise awareness of the NSCN Providing funding or other in-kind resources to support general NSCN operations Agreeing to consider hiring qualified NSCN members Agreeing to consider providing partially subsidized returnships or on-the-job training opportunities for NSCN members Encouraging current or former HR and other employees to volunteer as career coaches Sharing your success stories regarding initiatives to hire long- term unemployed job seekers, older workers, or veterans

Preliminary Highlights from 2017 NSCN Member Survey

At the moment, what is your current outlook on finding a job At the moment, what is your current outlook on finding a job? (Source: Member Survey preliminary highlights)

How long were you actively seeking employment before you found a job How long were you actively seeking employment before you found a job? (Source: Member Survey preliminary highlights, based on 144 who are working)

Is your current pay now lower, higher, or about the same as the job you were doing before your period of long-term unemployment? (Source: Member Survey preliminary highlights)

Is your new job meant to be: (Source: Member Survey preliminary highlights, based on 144 who are working)

Maria Heidkamp heidkamp@rutgers.edu nscn@rutgers.edu 848-932-1756 www.newstartcareernetwork.org