ECC Workforce Development Program

NJ Chapter of IAWP 2008 Spring Training Conference a Success

2008-05-19T21:07:00.006-04:00

by Anna D. Banks, GCDF

Workforce Professionals around the state gathered today at Hilton Newark Liberty Airport, to attend the 2008 Spring Training Conference of the New Jersey Chapter of the International Association of Workforce Professionals(NJ-IAWP). This conference was one of New Jersey’s most informative workforce-related events thus far in 2008.

Updates on the state of workforce development in New Jersey was shared by Michelle Richardson, Assistant Commissioner, NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development (NJ DLWD); Marilyn Davis, Deputy Commissioner, NJ DLWD and Tony Langon, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Temporary Disability Insurance and Family Leave.

Lee Foley, IAWP Legislative and Educational Liaison to US Congress, brought us valuable information from Washington, DC on legislation, and other activities impacting Workforce Development. The information included the status of the WIA Re-Authorization Act; Wagner-Peyser Act funding and workforce training budget cuts.

NJ Chapter, IAWP member, Anna D. Banks stated, “The information received today, was priceless during this time of economic uncertainty in New Jersey. While listening to the speakers today, I became acutely aware of the importance for all stakeholders in New Jersey’s Workforce system to work together and explore innovative ways to meet workplace challenges; and at the same time, to build a workforce that is competitive in this global economy.”

The 2008 NJ-IAWP Spring Training Conference is a semi-annual conference where New Jersey’s local, county and state workforce leaders and partners gather to share their common experiences and challenges in building a highly skilled and adaptable workforce.

IAWP is a nonprofit educational association representing professionals worldwide who work in public and private workforce development programs. IAWP is dedicated to advancing the field of workforce development through education, research, legislative action, financial support, and international networking.

The 212 Degrees Movie

2008-03-29T01:34:00.005-04:00

ECC Workforce Development March 2008 Celebration

2008-03-28T16:55:00.019-04:00

By Anna D. Banks, GCDF

WDP Celebration - February 2008

2008-02-29T15:55:00.022-05:00

By Anna D. Banks, GCDF

Your schooling may be over, but remember that your education still continues."

Author Unknown"
CONGRATULATIONS

to the February 2008 Class

Essex County College Workforce Development Programs

CONGRATULATIONS YENNY,

on your promotion to the Humanities Department as Administrative Assistant!

We'll miss you!

Education make a people easy to lead, but difficult to drive, easy to govern, but impossible to enslave.
- Lord Brougham
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.- Eleanor Roosevelt

We know what we are, but know not what we may be.
- Shakespeare

Congratulations to Mellissa Morgan who Successfully Satisfied the Requirements for the

NATIONAL WORK READINESS CREDENTIAL

on February 12, 2008

Education is the best provision for old age.
- Aristotle

Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.
- Henry J. Kaiser

Tis education forms the common mind,
Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclin'd.
- Alexander Pope
The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes. - Earl of Beaconsfield

When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Success is never final and failure never fatal. It's courage that counts.
- George F. Tilton

Goal Setting Posters for Career and Life Planning

2008-02-11T10:26:00.003-05:00

By Anna D. Banks, GCDF

"Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” ~~ Stephen A. Brennan

A goal poster, also known as a treasurer map or vision board is an excellent tool to assist people in career transition clarify his or her reasons for working; set long and short term goals; and make a plan of action.

The goal poster is created by an individual to illustrate what he wants in this life. A goal poster is a personal collection of an individual desires and no restrictions are placed on the images or words displayed on the poster.

Last week, participants in the February 2008 Job Search Program created goal posters covering life areas such as career, finances, family, and health. The goal posters were created by pasting images and words on a poster to display the individual’s goals. The images were taken from magazine photos, personal photos, or hand drawn pictures and sketches. As well, the words were cut from media formats or handwritten.

Join me in viewing the personal & career goal posters of the men and women participating in the February 2008 Job Search Program at Essex County College.

“Goals are dreams with deadlines.”
Diana Scharf Hunt

“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.”
Karen Ravn

“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.”
Pamela Vaull Starr

“Goals that are not written down are just wishes.”

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Larry Elder

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.” ~ Albert Einstein

“If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.”
Frank A. Clark

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” ~Winston Churchill

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis

“It must be borne in mind that the tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy of life lies in having no goal to reach.” ~ Benjamin E. Mays

“Any person who selects a goal in life which can be fully achieved, has already defined his own limitations” ~ Cavett Robert

“By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.” ~ Christopher Columbus
“The principle goal of education is to create men who are capable of doing new things, not simply of repeating what other generations have done - men who are creative, inventive and discoverers”
Jean Piaget

ECC Career Fair - January 23, 2008

2008-01-24T13:43:00.003-05:00

Another Successful Career Fair for Employers and Candidates ...
By Anna D. Banks, GCDF

Planning to Work - Short and Long Term Goals

2007-11-06T10:55:00.000-05:00

By Anna D. Banks, GCDF
Employability Coach, Adjunct Profesor ECC-WDP

Determination is a key factor that helps us achieve our goals. Goal setting is the process of identifying something that we wish to achieve in a specific period of time. Many of us still do not set goals in our lives, and some don't even know how they can do so. When they do suddenly decide they need defined goals, they are often unrealistic. So, set your goals with both feet firmly on the ground, keeping your strengths and weaknesses in mind.

One of the best things that you can do for yourself is to put your goals down on paper with pictures or some other visual representation of your goals. If you stick this up somewhere near your work desk, you can often refer to it to see how you are progressing, and it is fulfilling to see all the goals you have already achieved.

Have you heard about the S.M.A.R.T. goal setting outline? It is the acronym for SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE, ACHIEVEBLE, RELEVANT and TIME RELATED outlines. If you take all of these factors into account when setting your goals outline or creating your goals poster, you will no doubt come up with a fantastic set of goals, suited to none but yourself.

Members of the November 2007 Workforce Development Program at Essex County College accepted the challenge of putting their goals on paper.

The Job Application: The Paper Interview

2007-10-19T12:45:00.000-04:00

By: Frank J Giudice, Adjunct

There are always obstacles on the path to a new job. Writing a cover letter that stands out is one. Next, the resume that features skills and accomplishments instead of duties and responsibilities needs to be crafted. Then comes the research part of our trip, finding those companies we want to work for, contacting our network to find out about industries and potential careers and sending our information to the right person. The waiting by the phone for the interview call is usually a fun time. But still and all, we successfully navigate these potholes and on a bright, sunny morning, we how up to meet with our perspective place of employment. We have practiced answering the interview questions we anticipate, and then WHAM, the receptionist hands us an application and tells us to fill it out completely.

Now, the real adventure begins. And career dreams and opportunities begin to fade. Here are a few helpful hints to remember before the sun does down on our dream job.

Resumes Are Different From Applications:

You control the content of a resume. It’s your employment story and you can tell it anyway you want. The application is a different story, as it is asking for specific information. Here is where you write the addresses, phone numbers and supervisors of past employers. Here is where you write the duties and responsibilities of your past jobs go. Here is where you have to be accurate and honest. Since this is the information that can be verified during a background check.

Read The Questions Carefully

Are they asking for an employment history or work experience? Have you ever been convicted of a crime? Have you ever been convicted of a felony? Do you have a valid driver’s license?

There are examples of questions that cause us the most difficulty. We have an employment gap of 7 months, how does it get filled? Well, if they are asking for Work Experience, volunteering can fill the gap honestly. After all, it is work; you used your skills or developed new ones. But for Employment History, if you didn’t draw a paycheck, it doesn’t count.

If you have a criminal background, know all the charges and the disposition of each. Accused is different from arrested, which is different from convicted. And some companies will tell you not to include traffic arrests. Make sure you read the question carefully and only answer the question. You can put, “Will discuss in detail during the interview”, but make sure you know what you’re going to say. (Do not shift blame, it is what it is, take responsibility and move on.)

The Driver’s License answer is a simple one. If it is suspended or revoked, it’s not valid. Period, end of discussion. (But make sure you have a plan in place to get it back!)

Honesty Is The Best Policy

Be truthful with dates of employment, job titles, why you left your previous places of employment, gaps, certificates held and degrees earned. Ever since 9-11, companies have gotten more and more security conscious and spend time doing background checks, including credit histories (to check up on your ideas about personal responsibility and cash handling abilities). They WILL look into your past. They will do a google search to see if anything comes up about you. They will check out your schools, asking for certified copies of certificates, transcripts, and degrees. If you received a degree from Fly By Night College, know it’s as worthless as a $3 bill.

Listing Relatives As References

It says right about the table, do not list relatives. But we do it anyway and lie about the relationship we have. We’ll use in-laws, cousins, or our sister (provided she uses her married name), because, hey, they’ll say nice things about us. And we think we’re slick; until the person conducting the reference check asks how they know up. Then the cat’s out of the bag and everything we said is open for examination. Plus, our personal integrity and/or comprehension is questioned because we did what we were told not to do.

October 2007 Job Fair at Essex County College a Success

2007-10-18T16:55:00.000-04:00

By Anna D. Banks, GCDF

Representatives from approximately 60 area employers were on hand for the October 17, 2007 event. More than 750 students, alumni other job seekers shared the opportunity to distribute resumes and make employer contacts with businesses and organizations including Bank of America, Chase Bank, Centerplate for THE PRUDENTIAL CENTER in Newark, State of NJ Department of Personnel, Allied Barton Security Services and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).