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June 16,2008 Pre-Conference
Pre-Conference Session 1 (9:00-4:00)
Career Assessment: Taking the Mystery Out of the Process and the Tools
Ellen Jenkins, President, Career Development Associates
Career counselors who can accurately assess the needs, interests, and aptitudes of job seekers can make a significant impact on their job search efforts. Yet the issues and questions surrounding the assessment process and the myriad number of assessment instruments available can be daunting. Designed for career specialists who want to provide their customers with the tools they need to plan and land the job they want. This session includes the basics about assessment, including a general overview, it's purpose, underlying principles, and ways that workforce development professionals can use it effectively to target the “right” job, select a training program and create a viable career plan.
Through interactive, hands-on activities you'll learn about the steps in the assessment process, ethics of using assessment tools, characteristics of good assessments, and qualifications needed to administer different tests. Hear about informal and formal assessment instruments, free on-line testing tools, computerized vocational testing, and common workforce development tools like the “Big C.”
Pre-Conference Session 2 (9:00-4:00)
Management That Cooks!
John Kennedy, Kennedy Consulting
Presentation (pdf, 48 KB)
Back by popular demand, John Kennedy returns with his newest book and program, “Management That Cooks!” -- recipes for success both in the corporate world as well as the kitchen. John will adapt these recipes for the workforce development world, and will address one of the most relevant topics of our time: doing more with less for customers who demand more for less.
From downsizing, rightsizing and reorganizing, the workplace is now in desperate risk of capsizing! John will deliver key strategies, tips, techniques and insights to allow us to survive at the speed of life while delivering the level of service our customers expect and deserve. Stream-lining processes, innovative problem-solving and time-saving decision-making are just a few of the fabulous recipes that are on this buffet of business acumen.
P.S. After the session, don’t miss John’s book signing with a “Raise the Bar, Lower the Price” discount.
Pre-Conference Session 3 (9:00-4:00)
Dependable Strengths—Realizing the Potential of Your Career and Organization
Anne Scholl-Fiedler, Director, Career Services Center, UMBC
Mary Nagle, Certified Master Dependable Strengths trainer
As workplace needs continue to change every day, workers must be flexible in their approach to finding satisfying jobs. More than ever, we need to help our job seekers with their career management, and our business customers to build successful teams in order to increase collaboration, cooperation, and productivity. When workers are doing more of what they are good at and like to do, they are more likely to stay in their jobs.
Interactive, fun and thought-provoking, this session introduces a tool that provides to jobseekers increased self-esteem, internal locus of control, and the motivation to succeed.
By identifying what is working well and what is positive in individuals, the Dependable Strengths Articulation Process addresses how workers can be confident in their ability to articulate their strengths, generate contacts and uncover hidden opportunities.
In an overview of the 18-hour process, this workshop will take you out of the box of job titles and labels, enabling you to look at others from the perspective of their unique excellence. Look back at your good experiences; then, through small group interaction, begin the process of recognizing your own strengths and those of others. Hear how several one-stops are using this process very successfully with their clients in helping them to acquire and retain jobs. Learn about practical applications to increase staff productivity, team building, and workplace satisfaction in a variety of business settings.
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SPONSORED BY :
THE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT NETWORK FOR MARYLAND
THE MARYLAND INSTITUTE FOR WORKFORCE EXCELLENCE
THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION