In the past year we’ve had two businesses come into town; C-Town and 7/11 – I personally contacted the owners of both of these establishments. (Note: Pollo Campero was not yet here.) I spoke to the owner of C-Town to discuss employment for some of my youth mentees. I provided them with applications and my contact information. I went back and still nothing resulted, not even a courtesy phone call.
How do we as a community get these businesses to understand that the very solvency of their businesses depends on the health and wellness of the youth in this community?
The Mayor offered this tidbit as a result of following up with C-town; apparently they complained that they (Plainfield residents) were not being responsible employees. They were calling out last minute, not showing up at all or showing up late. The implication is that Plainfield residents are not employable.
If someone told me this about my city’s residents I would immediately implement a job training program, as well as negotiate with the displeased merchant to allow me an opportunity to help him or her find proper placement.
I think here’s where we X, Y, and older generations falter. We forget that someone taught us. None of us were “good” employees automatically. We were coached through mock interviews, behavior expectations/role modeling, dressing for success ideas, eye contact and hand shaking strategies, as well as information to help us understand what employers look for when hiring.
We owe it to this generation to do likewise!
I have read a lot of ire regarding the contract awarded to the Heard One Complex for job training, but let me tell you a little story. I had three mentees that graduated high school this past year, neither of them opted for college for one reason or another so I sent them to the Heard One job training program over the Summer. Only One went two didn’t.
The one that went has two jobs to date. That’s right not 1 but 2. The other two felt they didn’t need this program and now they are both struggling to find jobs. So often people take issue with process, or their perception of the lack of proper processing, that they forget to take a look at the actual and factual -- like can they do what they say they will do, and are they doing what they said they would do. If I were to measure the effectiveness of the Heard One job training program they would be running at 100%.
To our Mayor (and had she not left out of the meeting so quickly I would have told her personally) I say go back to C-Town; Dairy Queen, McD’s and that entire corridor of businesses and negotiate employment opportunities for our young people as though their life depends on it because guess what – it does. Call me – I’ll go with you!
I heard our youth say loud and clear that we need to work on providing them with:
• Job Training
• Job Opportunities
• Safe, Engaging, Recreational Activities that they would like to do.
If we focus on anything other than what will produce any of these three things we will continue to fail our youth and the damage will be inestimable!
The Albanese family has mentored and employed local youth for many years. They had scrapbooks full of photos and letters from former employees keeping in touch as they went on to college or other opportunities. Ask Donna and her father and you will hear an inspiring story.
ReplyDeleteBernice -- I actually met Donna and her Dad. (My Dad was frequent flyer there given he worked almost twenty years at the Exxon down the street) Anyway, I took my mentees there a month or so ago for an icecream treat and I introduced them to her and expressed that they would be good candidates to consider for her expansion. She quizzed a few of them, and one in particular was very interested in getting a job, so much so that she filled out an application. I hope she gets it. She's a sweetheart and would make for a very good Dairy Queener! Donna's Dad was the ICE CREAM on our Cake visit. A charming comedian and engaging gentleman indeed. Honestly, I believe it was his banter with the girls that made one of the young ladies decide she would like to work there. If she's hired -- I'll let ya know.
ReplyDeleteI started working part-time in a drug store when I was 15 years old, then worked in Pathmark during high school and college. I don't recall needing to be taught to interview, dress appropriately, establish eye contact, not call in sick, I believe these were traits/skills that I picked up from my parents. Why don't kids today KNOW this? Why do we need programs to teach them basic life skills? I'm really puzzled.
ReplyDeleteWhat absolute RUBBISH! Check out the demographics of our city; how can you ask such a silly question! Are you SERIOUS? Why don't kids know it? What? By your own admission YOU learned from your parents. Not everyone has that luxury.
ReplyDeleteI delivered newspapers at 12, worked at the A&P at 15, traded that in for an extra $.25 per hour to work at the Grand Opening Pathmark on Rte 22 at 16 as well as sold Avon on the side, and both my parents worked each and every day -- including Saturdays! My Dad still works at the ripe age of 68. Of course I learned the "CHARACTER" of a good person from my parents and their hardwork ethics which translated into being a good employee but not everyone has such examples as children/teens/ young adults.
I still attended workshops that taught me how to dress for success, how to interview and all the things I listed. Heck some of these programs were part of my highschool coursework, afterschool programs, and a few I took on college campuses so you are talking PURE NONSENSE!
There is a whole heap of courses for adults tagged as Professional Presences, Sealing the Deal, Landing your best job etc... So NO -- Not even ADULTS KNOW THIS! And if training wasn't needed then why do such course exist?
Wake up and deal with our population. I know, I know... but never mind your rose colored, biased glasses the fact is that NONE of us got were we are by ourselves.
Uggh!
And don't bother writing back unless you put your name and email because someone so darn arrogant needs to be ousted!
My name is Deborah Russell. I'm so sorry that my relatively mild question has sent you into a tail spin. I was simply asking a question to which I really wanted an answer, not a diatribe about my so-called "bias". It's a shame that discourse is discouraged. I will be sure not to ask a question in the future and will keep silent. I certainly don't want to be threatened again. Oust away!
ReplyDeleteWhat was your question Deborah? These 2 -- Why don't kids today KNOW this? Why do we need programs to teach them basic life skills?
ReplyDeleteI think my diatribe answered both.
Now answer me this, please. Why do Adults need professional training in areas such as eye contact, the hand shake etc...? And why would we expect our youth to know these?
I'm just frustrated by what I preceived as you judgment on our youth based on YOUR home life...