scaleLIT
scaleLIT is a nonprofit organization. Learn more at www.scalelit.org.
Introductory Conversations and Assessment
How organizations conduct initial needs assessment with employers, introduce workforce development in general as well as their own organization’s programs, and gauge whether an employer could benefit from workforce development programs.
Learning About Employers' Needs
- Practices for gathering employer information vary by partner and location.
- Employers may complete online forms.
- Information includes hiring needs, workforce challenges, and specific skill sets.
- The Airtable referrals system is used to track employer inquiries, which are then assigned to relevant service providers.
This content is based on interviews or email correspondence with Becky Raymond in 2024. This draft content has NOT yet been signed off by the organization.
Introducing Workforce Development Opportunities
- Introduction is tailored to employer needs, focusing on benefits rather than program intricacies.
- Employers are not burdened with understanding funding streams; they are informed only of applicable services in the workforce ecosystem.
This content is based on interviews or email correspondence with Becky Raymond in 2024. This draft content has NOT yet been signed off by the organization.
Introducing Your Organization
- During initial interactions, credibility is established through showcasing alignment with employer needs and emphasizing support for workforce challenges.
This content is based on interviews or email correspondence with Becky Raymond in 2024. This draft content has NOT yet been signed off by the organization.
Evaluating Employer Suitability
- Suitability is often assessed informally based on employer needs and alignment with organizational goals.
This content is based on interviews or email correspondence with Becky Raymond in 2024. This draft content has NOT yet been signed off by the organization.
Establishing Employer Relationships
Ways that organizations follow up or otherwise build relationships with potential employer partners. How do organizations keep employers’ interest and stay top of mind, despite how busy they may be?
Following Up via Phone and/or Email
- Business Services teams at AJCs (American Job Centers) actively reach out to employers to gather information or invite engagement using cold calling or email follow-ups.
This content is based on interviews or email correspondence with Becky Raymond in 2024. This draft content has NOT yet been signed off by the organization.
Service Provider Visits to Employer Workplace
- Workforce professionals conduct site visits to understand employer operations and assess alignment of workforce solutions.
This content is based on interviews or email correspondence with Becky Raymond in 2024. This draft content has NOT yet been signed off by the organization.
Job Fairs and Hiring Events
- AJCs (American Job Centers) and similar partners organize job fairs.
- Practices involve engaging local employers to make sure there is alignment with job seeker demographics.
This content is based on interviews or email correspondence with Becky Raymond in 2024. This draft content has NOT yet been signed off by the organization.
Metrics and Financial Factors
How organizations collect and share information about expected outcomes and potential financial rewards and incentives.
Sharing Metrics and Return on Investment with Employers
- Metrics include tracking placements and making sure that services align with employer outcomes.
- Practices include offering money-back guarantees for training outcomes.
This content is based on interviews or email correspondence with Becky Raymond in 2024. This draft content has NOT yet been signed off by the organization.
Gathering Data to Track Employer Metrics
- Airtable, a database platform that organizes and tracks employer interactions and key metrics, is used for managing employer interactions and tracking metrics.
This content is based on interviews or email correspondence with Becky Raymond in 2024. This draft content has NOT yet been signed off by the organization.
Organizational Level Considerations
How organizations are set up to build partnerships with employers, and how they leverage relationships with other organizations for better outcomes.
Organizational Structure, Resourcing, and Staffing
- Business Services Representatives are stationed at AJCs (American Job Centers).
- American Job Centers are run by multiple organizations, each maintaining their own processes and staffing structures.
This content is based on interviews or email correspondence with Becky Raymond in 2024. This draft content has NOT yet been signed off by the organization.
Collaborating with Other Organizations
- Collaboration involves referring employers to relevant partners or programs when necessary.
- Shared placements and combined funding are common in multi-stakeholder ecosystems.
This content is based on interviews or email correspondence with Becky Raymond in 2024. This draft content has NOT yet been signed off by the organization.
Challenges
Common challenges and how organizations typically respond to them.
Workforce Development Jargon
- ScaleLIT focuses on using employer-centric language to align with business terminology.
- Efforts include replacing workforce development-specific terms like “credentials” with more familiar terms such as “certifications,” avoiding “education-ese” or “program-ese” to simplify and clarify messaging.
This content is based on interviews or email correspondence with Becky Raymond in 2024. This draft content has NOT yet been signed off by the organization.
Ensuring Compliance with Progammatic and Funding Requirements
- Compliance is tied to local and state-level plans, which seek to eliminate duplication of services and make sure that taxpayer funds are maximized.
This content is based on interviews or email correspondence with Becky Raymond in 2024. This draft content has NOT yet been signed off by the organization.
Handling Objections from Employers
- Employer objections typically revolve around unfamiliarity with public workforce systems.
- Responses focus on simplifying the employer’s experience and emphasizing practical benefits.
This content is based on interviews or email correspondence with [name] in 2024 / 2025. This draft content has NOT yet been signed off by the organization.
Handling Challenges
- There are communication gaps between employers and workforce professionals.
This content is based on interviews or email correspondence with Becky Raymond in 2024. This draft content has NOT yet been signed off by the organization.
