ARISE is Perfect for Youth Employment Programs

Cities and organizations that want to provide employment for youth should consider that getting them a job is only half of what they must do to help them. Organizations working with these youth best serve them by teaching the necessary practical skills to get and keep a job—the soft skills that prepare youth to understand how the world works and what is expected of them. They can do that by using the ARISE Four Wheel Drive for the Mind: Networking, Jobs and Money curriculum.

This book is designed to help youth learn job readiness skills such as filling out job applications, interviewing for a job, reading bus schedules, budgeting their salary, opening bank accounts, exploring the market for the right credit and debit cards and so much more. ARISE curricula prepare youth to meet the future by handling problems and difficult situations commonly encountered in daily life.

Youth employment programs need to focus on the soft skills as well as the vocational aspects of a particular job. A good addition to job readiness skills are the ARISE Four Wheel Drive for the Mind: Learning Strategies and Time Management lessons where the youth learn decision making, productive thinking, and time management skills, and how to set short and long term goals.

Want to learn more about conducting these lessons in your employment program? ARISE offers staff training courses to teach individuals how to facilitate ARISE sessions on job skills and hundreds of other topics. ARISE even offers a Master (Train-the-Trainer) course to enable staff members to train their colleagues at your organization. Check the ARISE Training Calendar for upcoming training dates and locations. Trainings can also be scheduled at your location for minimum of 12 participants.

10 Tips for Finding & Keeping a Job, brought to you by ARISE Life Skills & Training

In these tough economic times, employers are hiring fewer people, making the pool of applicants more and more competitive. Here are 10 tips for finding and holding on to a rewarding job. For more life skills lessons or to schedule a staff training session on anger management, please visit the ARISE website: http://www.ariselife-skills.org.

1. Be prepared to fill out an application. Write down and bring with you all important information: names of your previous employers; dates of employment; duties and salaries at past jobs; lists of your skills, education and training; names, current addresses and phone numbers of references; and a drivers license and social security number.
2. Be prepared to “sell yourself.” Don’t be shy about discussing the things you do well.
3. Drop off your resume or ask to fill out an application even if a company is not hiring at the time; they might need you in the future.
4. Prepare for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview when picking up an application.
5. Do some homework on the company you want to work for. Know exactly what kind of work they do or products they produce. Find out how long they have been in your city. This way, you will be better able to talk about why you want to work for this business and why you think you should be hired.