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The Works 1st program is a program offered by the agency Michigan Works. It is a state run employment agency geared toward helping those unemployed gain the necessary skills to successfully enter the job force. There are 24 partners who offer various employment services, i.e. funds for education, transportation, clothes for interviewing, etc…At Volunteers of America, MI. we are utilizing this program at our thrift |
store and warehouse locations. Our program is unique in that it offers work experience. We allow volunteers who have received various employment services to be exposed to work experience in an internship type setting.
The Works 1st program requires individuals on welfare to either volunteer their time working, or be actively enrolled in school. Clients are sent to Volunteers of America, MI. after first going through a screening process by a case manager at Michigan Works. The case manager will evaluate the clients talents based on our agency’s needs. Michigan Works will also perform a pre-employment background check. Clients who have a background of violent crimes or crimes that are of a monetary nature are precluded from our work environment based on the public nature of our business along with the temptations that are present with our large inventory of valuable items.
Once engaged in our operation, clients are plugged into various roles that enhance our ability to excel above our daily operation goals. They are held accountable to the same standards as our paid staff. They follow all company rules and regulations at all times. Any deviance from our expectations results in the client being sent back to their case manager for re-assignment. Furthermore evaluations are done on each client by a Volunteers of America, MI. Manager initially after one month of service, and then every quarter thereafter.
As job openings become available at the thrift store or warehouse, clients are given consideration first before hiring from the outside. Clients who are performing well in their assigned position are offered a job interview. This past year nine clients have been hired as full time Volunteers of America employees complete with a full benefit package.
The program is a blessing for Volunteers of America in the short run as it enables us to see how a potential employee will work out and not take the risk and invest the energy and training into someone who may or may not work out. The program is faithful in its results as we are not just using people on welfare for cheap labor, but rather we are offering them a chance. We do not provide a fish, but rather a fishing pole. It is the opportunity to be exposed to work experience that makes the Volunteers of America, MI. program unique and effective. It bridges the gap between employment services and employment itself.
For more information on Works 1st, visit the michigan.gov Web site: http://www.michigan.gov/mdcd/0,1607,7-122-1679_1822_2802---,00.html