Project Employment - Soft Skills Curriculum

Positive Attitudes and Behaviors

Values and Personal Ethics - understand our personal values and how they influence our approach to problem solving - understand the link between our values and behavior in the workplace - team now to make decisions when values come into conflict Self-esteem - Taking Direction and Accepting Criticism - learn how to take direction from supervisors and co-workers - team how to give and take constructive criticism Self-motivation and Initiative - examine the importance of self-motivation in the workplace - distinguish between basic responsibilities and extra activities Adaptability Recognizing Strengths and Working with Limitations - identify skills and personality strengths through personal asset mapping - examine the connection between personal strengths and job-specific sta'lls Overcoming Obstacles - team to think "outside the box" to identify creative solutions to common employment obstacles - understanding the nine-step decision making process Recognition of and Respect for Diversity and Change - explore the concept of diversity - be exposed to basic Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws - team about prejudice and discrimination and how they impact our ability to function in the workplace Responsibility Resource Management - identify priorities within our lives - identify resources available within the community - team how to effectively use resources to assist in balancing competing priorities (ex. family and work) Time Management - identify how participants allocate their time during a typical day - team how to establish and follow a schedule to promote a more effective use of time - team the importance of monthly schedules and weekly and daily "to do" lists - team what to do when schedules "break down" Money Management - team how to set and follow a household budget - develop a better understanding of financial resources, (including potential pitfalls in financial management) - team how to purchase large items responsibly - understand the importance of building a strong credit history - team how to build a strong credit history Employability Pre-employment / Job searching - identify / set personal and employment goals - complete interest inventory (Choices) and compare interest with labor market information - list individuals for networking opportunities - begin thinking about and listing what have to offer an employer - develop or improve upon resume / cover letter / references / etc. Interview techniques - importance of first impressions, punctuality (appearance & attitude) - begin and remain positive - be prepared to answer and to ask questions Computer skills 101 - more than 20 hours of tutorial experience with Microsoft Office XP programs (Word/ Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) - practice surfing the web; sending and receiving emails - improve keyboarding skills (speed & accuracy)

Who is eligible?

Project Employment serves individuals eighteen years of age or over, are disabled, or have a learning disability or lack a high school diploma. Participants must be able to verify their disability and/or lack of a high school diploma. Individuals need to be committed to working towards full-time employment (32 hours or more a week) and must be a resident of one of the following counties: Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Polk, Story, Warren counties or the City of Des Moines.

Since funds are limited, target criteria have been developed to help make a determination whether an individual is enrolled into the project. Project Employment will target persons who are:

• Disabled and are on or would meet the "others eligible" category as defined by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services; or

• Have less than a high school education but would test at the 9th grade for reading, writing and math; or

• Are older youth, 18 years of age and older, who are transitioning from, or preparing to transition from, secondary school under a transition plan under part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( IDEA).

What services are available in Project Employment?

Project Employment staff will work with participants in order to prepare them for a job and help them find a job that matches their needs and interests with the needs and interests of an employer.

The Senator Harkin Learning Center features the state-of-the art assistive technologies specifically designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities and adults with less than a high school education. The classroom has 12 workstations that are height adjustable either up or down, the computer hard drives are small and placed on top of the workstation rather than sit on the floor where they might be bumped into by someone in a wheelchair, three of the monitors are larger for the sight impaired, computers are loaded with special tutorial software and special equipment can added as needs arise.

The Project Employment Instructor provides a four-week curriculum (soft skills curriculum link) that focuses on computer and soft skills training. This class is scheduled five days a week beginning at 9:15 a.m. and ending and 12:15 p.m. Soft skills training focuses on the non-technical skills, abilities and traits that workers need in order to function in a specific work environment. Soft skills training a participant may receive includes:

• Emotional Intelligence-covering such topics as self-esteem, self-awareness, self- motivation, social skills, anger control, trust, building relationships, etc.

• Critical Thinking-covering such topics as reasoning, decision making, brainstorming, problem-solving, setting goals, etc.

• Communication-covering such topics as listening, team building, networking, accessing community resources, assertiveness, following directions, etc.

In addition, instrution is provided to those individuals who are working on their GED. Participants can also use the Senator Harkin Learning Center in the afternoon to receive additional one-on-one instruction, practice their lessons or job search on the Internet.

What is the customized employment process?

First, Project Employment will work with the participant to develop a personalized employment plan. After potential employers are identified, the Employment Specialists will discuss individualized jobs that meet the employment needs of the applicant and the employer's business needs. Employer participation is always voluntary.

What is involved in voluntary negotiations?

The employer may accept the proposal, discuss modifications or reject the proposal. If the original proposal is not accepted, further discussions may lead to a different job opportunity, satisfactory to both employer and applicant.

Is the individuals' disability revealed during negotiations?

Job applicants will be encouraged to authorize staff of Project Employment to disclose their disability. This disclosure is recommended to help the employer better understand why a job description needs to be customized and to encourage straightforward communications.