Frequently Asked Questions...

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Commonly asked Questions by Job Seekers

Commonly asked questions by employers

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Commonly asked Questions by Job Seekers...

Questions:

Answers:

A referral will be made for you to one of the following based on your individual circumstances.

• Job search one on one
• OJT Program (50% wage subsidy issued to your new employer to train you in new skills!)
• VESID ( if you have a disability)
• One of our many workshops, led by workforce experts
• Eileen Waldstein (Vocational Counselor for the Department of Labor)
• Joe Rizzo (job search for Vets)
• One of our many partner agencies if we are not best suited to help you.

• A meeting with one of our nationally certified counselors,  for  assessment of your needs. To decide if you cannot find employment with your current skills, then if appropriate a discussion about OJT and/or classroom training)
• Other Helping Agency (emergency housing, DSS, CST, etc.)

How do I meet w/ a Vocational counselor,  All I want is school!

You are not immediately referred to a vocational counselor for approval for schools for several reasons. 

1)  It may not be appropriate for you or us.  In other words, we want to give you time to explore how the training you want will benefit you finding and keeping employment. We want you to do a thorough  job search using your current skills. Our goal is re-employment for you, not retraining if you have marketable skills that are transferable to the job market as it exists currently.  We want you to make sure the training you want will lead to employment that pays enough for you to survive and is in a growing field.  How do you do that?  Use our resource room – check out the Job listings, labor market info, attend workshops and do career explorations.  Call and ask people in the field you want to be in how much they make, what they do every day, are they happy and are there a lot of job opportunities for them.  (Make sure you write down your answers to present to your counselor so she knows you have done your research.)

            2) We are not financial aid.  Our first goal is to find you a job – that is why we are issued government funds – that is also why it is so important for you to let us know when you find employment.  We won’t be able to help others unless we can prove that we helped you.

Who do you send to school?

1)   Those  not making or not  capable of finding employment with their current skills, or those long term unemployed

2)   Those with skills that don’t translate into today’s workforce.

3)   Those unable to find employment because what they did is no longer called for.

4)   Those that will show a increase in hourly wage by retraining.

5)   Those who have a letter from an employer stating that they need some specific training either to obtain a job or to be promoted by their current employer.

6)  Those who cannot return to their previous industry due to disability, but are able to return to work.

7)  Those that are eligible and suitable

Who won’t get training?

1)  Those making, or capable of making $25/hr in today’s workforce with their existing skills

2)   Those not registered with Selective Service.

3)   Those who do not submit all documentation as required.

4)   Those capable of finding a job in their field, but want training because they don’t like their current occupation anymore.

5)   Those who are unwilling to return to the workforce full-time

6)   Those that don't receive a core or intensive service first

7)   Those that do not create an ISS and EDP with their counselor

8)  Those whose training will not make them more employable or increase    their wages from their prior occupation (this step requires the collection of the prior 9 months of paystubs or employer letters indicating wage data.)

9)   Those that do not apply for all forms of financial aid

10) Those not eligible or suitable for training services

11)  Those whose training is not in a demand occupation

12)  Those that would be unable to successfully complete a training program

13)   Those who do not live or work in Dutchess County

14)  Those that do not score 50 points or higher on their completed scholarship application.

What if I just need basic help getting a job?

Visit our workshops.  Use our resource room to do job search, fax, e-mail, mail your resume or make phone calls to employers.

What schools can I go to?

What if my school isn’t on the list?

What if I need to start school next week?

How long does it take?

That depends on your ability to gather all your documents,  the length of your job search and its thoroughness, complete all of our paperwork, submit informational interviews and labor market information, The vocational counselors'  schedule and the schools response time.

What if…

        I get lost along the way?

        I find a job?

        I’m unhappy with the services?

        No-one has contacted me?

        I get a job offer?

Call (845) 485-2660 x 3001

Is this the unemployment office?

OR

You may apply online at www.labor.state.ny.us

Approximately between 4-6 weeks IF there are no complications with your claim.

233 Main St. Poughkeepsie, around the corner from the civic center.

If you have applied for training services from us and you are unhappy with the decision rendered in your behalf, an attempt should be made on your behalf to resolve the problem with the conflicting party or counselor, as applicable. If the problem is not resolved to your satisfaction, then you may, within 60 days following the alleged incident, file a complaint in writing to:

Frederick R. Fister, Executive Director, Dutchess Works One Stop, 235 Main St, 2nd Floor, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Only complaints in writing will be acknowledged.  In your letter of complaint be sure to include your name, phone number, your full address, and a second contact phone number.

Be sure to clearly state what your complaint is, the parties involved, a summary of what the main issue is that you would like resolved, any witnesses to the alleged incident, any supporting paperwork or documentation that supports your case.

Upon receipt of your complaint letter, a date will be set within 15 days to meet with you and hear your case. A written decision will be issued from the Dutchess Works Executive Director within 15 days of this meeting.

If you are still not satisfied with the resolution, you must respond in writing to the written decision within 15 calendar days, requesting a second level hearing with an impartial member of the Dutchess Works Consortium. A written decision will be issued within 15 days of this meeting.

If you are still not dissatisfied or have been adversely affected by the local decision you have a right to appeal to the NY State Hearing Officer. Please see your signed copy of the Dutchess Works Complaint and Grievance Procedure Summary issued you at the time of intake and orientation.

If your complaint is not WIA related, it will be referred to the appropriate agency or agencies.

A copy of this process is available upon request.

1. I have a Dutchess Works Package: What do I do now?

· Attend orientation on Monday at 9am to learn more about our           programs

·  Bring required documentation needed to determine your eligibility for services.

· After orientation you will meet briefly with a career counselor to make an appointment to help determine what the next best steps for you will be.

· You may be referred to one or more workshops held on site which the counselors feel may help you find employment.

2. After Orientation what happens?

· Your completed application is entered into OSOS, a job matching database.

· You can attend workshops and use the resource room.

· Keep track of the jobs you apply for.

3. How does the Career Counselor help me?

· Reviewing your documents to determine your eligibility.

· Assisting you in further identifying your interests and skills.

· Critiquing your resume and helping you to prepare for interviews.

· Exploring the Job market with you

· Determining if schooling or OJT is right for you in seeking employment.

· Once assigned a counselor it is up to you to keep in contact every 90 days or you may be considered exited from the program and unable to access further services.

4. Why cant you just send me to school and pay for it? Or : The classes I signed up for start in 3 weeks, can you pay?

· There are many steps and requirements to complete prior to approval for Federal funding. Your counselor will assist you in the completion of these tasks.

· It is essential that time  be taken to determine how and if you need the training and if training will benefit you to be more employable

· The training must lead to increased wages (more money than your present skill set allows) and is in a demand occupation

5. How do I apply for classroom retraining dollars?

· You must present us with an exhaustive job search in your current occupation

· You must do labor market research into the occupation you wish to switch to.

· You must conduct information interviews with people currently working in your desired field. You need to know what a typical day is like and how much the position pays.

· You must apply for all other forms of tuition assistance that is available to you. These will be used first.

· You must work consistently with your counselor to assure training is a good match for you and you are capable of completing the training.

· You must complete a scholarship application

· The school you want to attend must be approved by the local board and be listed as an eligible training provider on the workforce NY site

· The end result of your training must be increased employability and wages

· Your completed file is then presented to the Executive Director who will approve or deny your training.

6. How is an approval for training decided?

· The decisions made by the Executive Director are made on a case-by-case basis

· Candidates  need

· The ability to complete training successfully

· A level of certainty that retraining will make you more employable and you will recognize increased wages upon completion of training, not years later.

· If you are unable with your present skill base to find employment. You lack marketable skills.

· Your ability to be successful in meeting the 10 required performance standards as set by the state.

· The training is in a demand occupation.

By my signature below I certify that I have read and fully understand the above. It has been explained to me that Dutchess Works is not a source for financial aid, their primary function is to assist me in finding employment through the use of core and intensive services. I understand that there is a substantial likelihood that even after following all steps towards retraining I may be denied. I understand by that completing the steps toward obtaining retraining dollars does not constitute a promise of the same.

What do you do here?

We assist people in becoming re-employed. You may utilize the materials in the resource room, we also hold UI group orientations as well as one on one counseling.

Commonly asked Questions by Employers...

Yes, it is free to list with us, just go to the submit job listing button on the left of the screen and complete our one page form! We also share our job listings with the Department  of Labor.  Expect a call from a Department  of Labor Representative.