LISA CAMPBELL RAEANN OLANDER GOODWILL OF SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA Taking an Employer Relations Approach to Placement

History of Employer Relations at GSWPA Large and complex organization Feedback from employers Best practices research Traditional placement model vs employer relations Traditional Placement ModelEmployer Relations Model Job seeker as the primary customer and employer is a means to the end Employer is a primary customer Resources allocated solely to job seeker support Resources allocated to job seeker support AND to employer relationships Once the placement is made or the retention period is met, staff move on Employer relations staff remain engaged with employer s over the long-term Staff hold information close If the employer is happy, regardless of who’s job seeker is placed, it’s a win for the agency. A lot of sharing of information

Goodwill’s Employer Relations Philosophy What do employers need? What’s the job seekers next move?

Focus on Employer as Primary Customer Focus is on identifying, developing, maintaining, and growing effective relationships with area employers to advance the workforce development mission of Goodwill SWPA

Approaches Identify Initiate Nurture Maintain Expand Create opportunities Create more opportunities

Roles and Responsibilities Jobseeker Focused Staff  Employment Services System Administrator  Employment Specialist  Job Coach  Job Developer Employer Focused Staff  Director of Employer Relations  Employer Services Representative  Public Ally/Project Coordinator Other Staff  Grants, Marketing, Department Heads and Program Staff – Vocational Assessment, Education, Youth, etc.

Communications Protocols  Distribution lists  Meetings  Presentations Tools  Forms  Database & Intranet Culture  Proximity  Kool-aide

Banners and Forms

Funding

Goodwill Retail Stores Contracts Fundraising

Collaborations

Contact Information Raeann Olander Lisa Campbell