Getting back to the basics…

It's no secret that many Capital Region employers have a multitude of entry-level job opportunities, but lack qualified workers to fill them. Oftentimes, technically skilled applicants lack the fundamental "soft skills" essential for success in the workplace. Respect for others, acceptance of constructive criticism, and dependability - characteristics once taken for granted by employers - are no longer the standard, but the exception when hiring entry-level employees. In a small, but growing way, the Chamber of Schenectady County and the County's seven public school districts hope to change that.

In its continuing mission to serve the needs of Schenectady County businesses, the Chamber and its Business & Education Partnership have developed the Certificate of Employability Program, a pilot initiative to provide employers with job-ready youth who have learned the basic soft skills necessary for getting and keeping a job. The concept is simple: youth undertake a defined, yet flexible curriculum, and those who demonstrate fundamental, yet essential work-related behaviors earn a certificate that identifies them as a valued and attractive applicant to participating employers. Academic performance, attendance, personal behavior, interpersonal/social skills, and job-seeking skills are among the core areas that are taught and evaluated. Those who achieve specific criterion in each area qualify for the Certificate of Employability.

The Certificate of Employability consists of two levels. The Basic Certificate targets youth who are preparing for their first part-time jobs and who may be getting a work permit for the first time. Possession of the certificate identifies to the employer that the individual has undertaken the curriculum and has successfully demonstrated valued behaviors to the satisfaction of teachers, counselors, and administrators. The Advanced Certificate targets individuals who are preparing for their first full-time jobs. It requires (a) completion of a special seminar, which revisits soft skills in various job situations, and (b) employer endorsement that the individual has successfully demonstrated valued soft skills while on the job. Possession of the Advanced Certificate assures the next employer that the job applicant understands the work environment, is customer oriented, is trainable, and is a good employment risk.

How You Can Help…

If you think the youth you work with might benefit from possession of the Certificate of Employability, or if you might be interested in implementing the Certificate of Employability curriculum in your own school or agency, we encourage you to review the curriculum with a teacher who has already integrated it into the classroom.

To begin the process, contact Schenectady County Youth Services Coordinator Jennifer Goldie at (518) 344-2771.

Do it today!

Click Here for a list of Participating Employers