Skills & Strategies for Working with

Job Seekers With Criminal Records

Summary
This three-session course focuses on specific information, resources and strategies to assist job developers in working effectively with both employers and job-seekers to make successful job matches. The training will address the following topics and objectives:

• How ex-offenders see themselves and how others see ex-offenders.
• Circumstantial barriers that pose potential obstacles to the former offender’s quest for gainful employment and retention.
• How to prepare job seekers to handle employer objections constructively and positively.
• How to better assess the needs of clients with criminal records as well as educate them about the available work supports, public benefits, rights and legal services and how to navigate these systems.
• How to address employer concerns about hiring candidates with criminal backgrounds.
• Job-market realities and legal barriers facing job seekers with criminal backgrounds.
• Sealing and expungement.
• Special issues facing juveniles and women with criminal backgrounds.

Audience

Experienced frontline workforce development staff and program managers or directors.  Ideally, participants will have taken CJC's Skills & Strategies for Working with Employers.

Course Duration
Three full-day sessions.

Costs
Members: $190
Non-Members: $275

Location

Chicago Jobs Council

29 E. Madison St. Suite 1700

Chicago, IL 60602

If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Hester, Program Assistant, at 312.252.0460 x108, cheryl@cjc.net.