Job Training Referrals and Career Counseling
Overall, job training referrals and career counseling services provide valuable support to individuals at various stages of their careers, offering guidance, assessments, and resources to help them make informed decisions and progress in their professional development.
Job training referrals and career counseling encompass a variety of services and resources to support individuals in their career development. Here are some key points:
Career Counseling and Information Referral Service (CCIRS): This service is a four-hour course required of all participants in a sub-minimum wage program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). It aims to prepare individuals for competitive integrated employment, including supported or customized employment. Participants with Medicaid Waiver Services available to them can access extended services such as long-term Supported Job Coaching and life skills training, empowering them to embark on a sustainable career. The service also offers adult employment services, youth programs, employability trainings, paid work experience, and a variety of assessments .
Career Guidance and Counseling Programs: These programs are designed to promote effective job placement, strengthen employer relations, and benefit various groups, including youth, adults, individuals with disabilities, minorities, and more. They are offered in various settings, including schools, colleges, technical institutes, career resource centers, correctional facilities, and community-based organizations. Exemplary career guidance programs have been recognized in different sites, showcasing the effectiveness of these programs .
Career Assessment Instruments: Counseling centers provide career assessment instruments, such as the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, to help individuals explore their interests and personality characteristics. These assessments match individuals with jobs or job families that others with similar characteristics have found satisfying. Additionally, individuals can have a 50-minute session with a career counselor to complete assessments and discuss their concerns .
MassHire Department of Career Services: The MassHire Department of Career Services oversees a network of MassHire Career Centers that provide job seekers with career guidance, referrals to jobs and training, and access to up-to-date local, statewide, and national job listings. Employers can also take advantage of employment and training resources, including assistance with recruitment and hiring, job matching, tax credit programs, and labor market information.
American Job Centers: These centers offer training referrals, career counseling, job listings, and similar employment-related services under one roof. They are coordinated by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and provide assistance to job seekers in person or through remote access.