Programs | Services
Employment
Non-Refugee Employment Program: A sector of the Caritas Employment Program
assists non-refugee clients with needs involved in job obtainment and
retention. Collaborating with Goodwill of Central Texas, the program
provides long term case management for clients involved in Caritas programs.
Silverton Scholars Program: short term training for
living wage occupations is made available to Caritas clients as well
as additional support to assist them in completing the training.
Program eligibility: Clients are referred into
the Non-Refugee Employment Program by Caritas case managers. Once
enrolled, clients receive assistance with job searches, application
skills, resume building, computer skills, job-readiness training, interview
skills, and access to community resources and referrals.
Human Resources Assistance: We explain and help complete
all new hire paperwork, including W-4s and insurance forms. We also
help with special initiatives. For example, we helped on hotel train
refugee employees in important new hygiene and guest safety procedures.
Employee Training Courses: The Employment Program
offers job preparation services to our clients as well as career counseling
to ensure a quick adjustment to the American job market and labor force.
All of our clients attend courses that prepare them for a future in
the United States workforce.
Classes are held once a week and cover the following topics:
Job Cycle – the process of how to look for a job in
the United States including the different steps such as looking, applying,
interviewing, having to take a drug screen, starting work, and receiving
paychecks.
Job Culture – what the job culture is like in the
United States as well as the importance of time, hygiene, and social
etiquette.
Job Interviews – interviewing skills including introductions,
shaking hands, and practice interview questions.
Applications – how to fill out job applications and how
to tailor job history for clients with international work experience backgrounds.
Diversity, Discrimination, and Sexual Harassment –what
to do in situations where there may be discrimination or sexual harassment
and company policies that relate to these topics.
Taxes – what they are and how to fill out W-4 paperwork.
Paychecks – how to read a paycheck, how to deposit paychecks,
as well as finance management.
Insurance – the different types of medical, dental and
vision insurance benefits as well as benefit enrollment periods.
Calling in sick –the importance of calling in sick and
giving notice if an employee will be absent from work. We practice how
to call supervisors and go over necessary vocabulary that is need for giving
notice.
Breaks – company policies regarding taking breaks, lunch,
and punching in & out.
Safety – workplace safety policies and safety vocabulary.
Customer Service – the definition of good customer service
including: smiling, shaking hands, introductions, and customer service
vocabulary.
These classes play an integral part in helping our international clients
adjust to the American workforce. Classes are taught by experienced
Employment Specialists. Periodically, we also ask area employers to
be guest speakers at our classes. This introduces our clients to area
business owners and staff, and is an opportunity for them to share their
unique perspectives on how to succeed as an employee at an Austin employer.
Mediation and Employee Counseling Services: With an
understanding of the many unique cultural factors that contribute to
employee effectiveness and communication, we can help you resolve employee
issues quickly to minimize the effects on your team. For example,
we assisted human resources to resolve communication issues between
an employee and her supervisor.
Skill Development and Training: On-site English language
instruction for all employees including our clients can be customized
for your industry specific requirements through the innovative curriculum
offered by our partner, English at Work.
We can also identify and help cover the cost of specific job skill training
to enhance refugee employee performance and qualification for advancement.
For example, one client achieved a promotion after attending Make Ready
training to add advanced skills to his repertoire.
Provision of Performance and Safety Equipment: If needed,
we can provide employees with the tools and equipment required in order
to begin work. For example, we often provide non-slip safety shoes and
have also helped cooks procure knives and welders obtain safety goggles
and hard hats.
Employee training courses: A series of customized weekly workshops introduce
refugees to the fundamentals of work life in Austin, including customer
service, workplace norms and basic cultural assumptions. For example,
we explain the importance of a firm handshake and daily hygiene.
Contact information: All referrals and questions must
be directed to the employment program manager
at 479-4610 x 145.
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