Narrative: a. 2.

Community service assignments for SCSEP participants are carefully selected to train them for unsubsidized employment in areas where local employers have identified unmet needs. With regional economic trends as a broad roadmap, knowledge of the needs of community employer  partners is critical to the proven success of our employer-based philosophy. By matching employer needs to the tested and validated skills of SCSEP participants, efforts focus on both employers and participants in areas that meet the needs of both. 

The types of training that will be used will be based on the participant’s interests and ability when they enter the program.  In consideration of current trends such as the need for customer service skills, the training the grantees may provide will include computer skills such as Microsoft Office, customer services and how to communicate with consumers, how to present themselves in a retail setting and how to work with occasional difficult individuals (people skills). Computer training, which is a key factor for increasing the job preparedness of participants, will continue to be provided to participants at local project sites as part of community service assignments in Colorado’s Host Agencies. Participants may also be trained in telephone skills on how to answer a phone, how to address individuals and how to listen to what the consumer is asking for and direct them to the appropriate place or individual. Participants could be trained on food service safety and cleanliness and how to properly use a cash register or a Point of Service (POS) computer. Training takes place at Workforce Centers (WFCs), local community colleges, and through community agencies.  

The WFCs will continue to use individualized assessments and tests to ensure participant training is customized to the participants’ skills and abilities. Within the WFCs there are defined categories that have a career ladder and list of similar jobs, job levels, and next steps.