The Workforce Development Project

Workforce development is a key tool that has enormous potential to reduce homelessness. The Workforce Development Program is implemented by the Center for Economic Education. The primary purpose is to improve conditions of homelessness by assisting the residents to obtain employment, increase their job retention rate and earning capacity, reduce unbanked/underbanked instances, and thereby promote the economic stability of their communities.

  • Maximize Potential of Employment to End Homeless Cycle

  • Design and Deliver Standardized Workforce Training Modules

  • Recognize Evolving Economy

  • Provide Lifelong and Nonlinear Changing Skills and Competencies

  • Improve Unbanked/Underbanked Instances

  • Provide Budgeting and Financial Literacy skills

The Workforce Development Mentoring Process

All mentors are Institutional Review Board (IRB) certified, live- scanned and briefed on the sensitivity of the needs of the community residing in homeless shelter sites.

Mentors engage with the clients one-on-one and help them build a professional résumé using resources from Cal State Fullerton’s Career Center, the BLS Occupational Handbook and other sources.

Mentors Perform the Following:

  • Re-orient homeless shelter residents into the needs of the job market.

  • Educate homeless shelter residents on employment opportunities, job descriptions and need of employers.

  • Actively assist homeless shelter residents one-on-one in job search through company websites and job search websites.

  • Assist in systematic manner to set up accounts and register in Indeed, USA Jobs.gov and CalJobs.gov.

  • Empower residents to develop a professional résumé and an effective cover letter

  • Prepare residents for job interviews by offering mock interviews.

  • Equip residents with English language communication skills, basic academic skills, numeracy, software and IT skills for office work.

  • Establish a job search schedule and follow up with residents as they navigate the job search and keep track of their job applications.

  • Mentors prepare a Job Lab Report geared to the specific needs of each client/resident (sample Job Lab Report attached in the appendix).

  • Match residents with career training sites, post-secondary education, GED, certification and training programs.

  • Once residents get a job, mentors dive into the financial literacy part of the program that teaches residents budgeting; saving; setting SMART Goals – Specific, Manageable, Action-oriented, Reasonable, Timebound; and how to manage their debt. Resources used are Wells Fargo’s Hands on Banking® and FDIC Money Smart.

  • The center offers carefully selected and motivated residents with scholarships towards developing trade skills, such as cosmetology and phlebotomy certifications, and towards completion of the high school equivalency diploma.