Baltimore Employment Roundtable

Meeting Notes
June 25, 2002
8:30 a.m.

Prepared by Kevin Griffin Moreno

Present: Onie Anthony, MOST Program; Sule Calikoglu, JHU/JOTF; Pat Glinka, Caroline Center; Robert Howe, MOST Program; Amonica Hunt, MOST Program; Angela Jones, Balto. Co. Job Partnership; Allison Kreisberg, JOTF; Kevin Moreno, JOTF; Heidi Stave, Genesis Group; Roxanne Williams, St. Jude’s Emplmt. Ctr.; George Yorkman, St. Ambrose Family Outreach.

1. MOST Program
   Onie Anthony and Robert Howe provided an overview of the Morgan Occupational Skills Training (MOST) Program provided by Morgan State University’s Office of Continuing Studies. MOST offers training in the following areas: Geriatric Nursing Assistant, Hospitality, Customer Service, Basic Computer Skills, and Computer Repair. Customized training programs last between 8 and 12 weeks, and are preceded by a 3-day orientation and 3 weeks of core job readiness and communications classes. Many of the approximately 800 program participants served annually by the MOST Program receive referrals through the Department of Social Services (DSS).
   
   For more information about the MOST Program, contact Robert Howe at 443-885-3712.
   
2. DSS Issues
   Several members whose agencies have contracts with DSS remarked that certain DSS regulations do not help to adequately prepare program participants for jobs. This is particularly true of time limits, which restrict the amount of job readiness and skills training a jobseeker can receive before being compelled to enter the workforce. Pat cited the federal workforce policy trend toward “work first” models, saying that even organizations that are not under contract with DSS stand to be affected by this shift.
   
3. Job Readiness
   Members discussed some of the challenges involved in preparing their clients to enter and remain in the workforce. The group acknowledged that many clients lack a long-term perspective with regard to their own career development potential. Members cited a “fear of success” among some of her clients, which contributed to their leaving the program shortly before graduating. Additionally, many program participants experience a form of “culture shock” as they make the transition from joblessness to the demands of following a schedule.

   Angela said that one of the ways to combat this tendency was to introduce job developers to program participants as soon as they enter the program. Introducing this sort of structure early in the program might help familiarize participants with some of the discipline and organized thinking that will be expected of them as they complete the program and conduct job searches. Onie and Robert pointed out that not every program participant is prepared to assume the level of responsibility required to make such drastic change. Members agreed that program participants must have a clear understanding of what is expected of them at each stage in the program, from readiness training to skills-building, to job placement.

   Regarding the placement and retention of clients in clerical positions, George remarked that entry-level employment in customer service helps provide lower-skill workers with the skills and practical experience required to advance into clerical and administrative jobs. Members identified businesses that offer customer service opportunities to lower-skill workers, including Rite Aid, CVS, Wal-Mart, Walgreen, Home Depot, and Office Depot.

4. Joint Job Fair
   Kevin mentioned the proposed Joint Job Fair on September 18, 2002. The event, which will be hosted by the Genesis Group, will involve service providers from the Roundtable and employers who have demonstrated a commitment to working with community-based workforce development agencies. Members agreed to brainstorm regarding employers who might be invited to attend the job fair.

   For more information or to help plan the Joint Job Fair, contact Heidi Stave at 410-366-8112.

5. Next Meeting

   Date:	Wednesday, July 24, 2002
   Time:	8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
   Host:	Job Opportunities Task Force
   Location:	2 East Read Street, 8th Floor, Baltimore (Levi Conference Room)
   Contact:	Kevin Griffin Moreno, JOTF: 410-234-8046 or kevin@jotf.org

   
   Topics to be covered at the next meeting include an overview of workforce development funding streams by Allison Kreisberg, and planning for the Joint Job Fair.