1. Getting Employers Need
Sandi Sibilio
APSE Conference
10/25/17

2. SKILLS GAP?
Different perspectives from different stakeholders. Clearly there is a disconnect.

3. What Has Fueled the Skills Gap?
Demographic Changes
Technological Advances
Shift to a Service-Based Economy
Rise of Contract Work and the Gig Economy
Employers are More Selective
Less Training Takes Place on the Job
Transformation from a manufacturing economy to a service based economy. A service based economy is one in which the service is a product. In a service-based economy there is a need for more workers to have soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

4. Employers Say…
92% of business leaders think Americans aren’t as skilled as they should be. 44% of business leaders think Americans are lacking soft skills – communication, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, etc. Adecco (2017)

5. OPPORTUNITY

6. So How Do We help Clients to Stand Out??
We have an opportunity. How do we help the individuals we work with stand out?

7. Assess Job Skills, Determine How to Get Needed Skills and Practice Skills
Job Descriptions
O*Net
Information Interview
Job Shadow
Mentor
BRS Working Interview or Working Evaluation
Volunteer
Mock Job Interview
Job shadowing – restaurant, administrative, skilled trades. Attending meetings, shadow in the field

8. O*NET https://www.onetonline.org/

9. 2 Type of Skills Employers Need

10. 1. Soft Skills are personal qualities, attributes and skills that are hard to measure and quantify. Soft skills are also transferable and can be used in any job.
Communication Skills
Team Work
Leadership
Flexibility
Problem Solving
Professionalism
Enthusiasm
Etiquette
Group exercise “Oh”, Nail exercise. Teaching: etiquette, field trip to a business with customer service

11. Society for Human Resource Management found that employers actually care more about soft skills than they do technical abilities like reading comprehension and mathematics.

12. 2. Hard skills are defined, specific, measureable and
teachable skills.
Microsoft Suite
Bicycle Repair
Baking
SPSS
Fork Lift Operation
Math
Typing
Graphic Design
Surveying

13. Workforce Training SNAP Employment & Training –For SNAP recipients in
Connecticut who are not receiving TANF money. E&T is
a skills-based program that provides short- term
vocational programs at community colleges and
community-based organizations.  E&T programs are
based on labor market information that indicates
projected job growth in a given field.
TANF Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. Examples of training: Booking Certificate, Small Engine Repair, Pharmacy Technician, Web Design

14. WIOA Approved Trainings in Connecticut http://www1. ctdol. state. ct

15. Workforce Training Continued
Online Learning
Coursera, Udemy, Skillshare, ALLISON
Workforce Credentials
OSHA Certification
Servsafe Certification
Customer Service & Sales Certification
Computer Skills
Literacy Volunteers
On-line Learning with Gcflearnfree.com
Business Analytics, Data Science, Business Writing, Cybersecurity, Critical Thinking

16. Life Long Learning
A mind set. Resume is a living document

17. Personality and Career Assessments
Resources
Personality and Career Assessments
Overview of Career Assessments
Holland Code Career Test
IPIP Big-Five Factor Markers

18. Skills Assessment Information
Unpaid Work Experiences, Volunteering, and Internships
Connect-Ability
O*NET

19. Job/Career Assessment Tools
US DOL
Connecticut Department of Labor
Occupational Outlook Handbook

20. Job/Career Assessment Tools
Job Shadow
Informational Interview
Skills Gap

21. Soft skills Training Materials

22. On-Line Learning Platforms
ALLISON
Udemy
Connect-Ability
Coursera
Computer Training

23. References
Adecco (2017, July 26), Watch the Skills Gap. Retrieved from: in-the-american-workforce/ Society for Human Resource Management (2016, October 11), SHRM/Mercer Survey Findings. Retrieved from: and-forecasting/research-and- surveys/PublishingImages/Pages/Entry-Level- Applicant-Job-Skills-Survey-/Entry- Level%20Applicant%20Job%20Skills%20Survey.pdf

24. Sandi Sibilio Director of Career Services Fellowship Place Ext 1209