Improving the employment prospects for the long-term unemployed by measuring their key competencies and matching them to the right job Jobfind Centres

Service Line:

Welfare to Work |

Background

One of the largest “for profit” Job Network Organisations, Jobfind Centres Australia, have been using CMyPeople assessments since 2006. In March/April 2007, they conducted independent research into the effectiveness of CMyPeople. Jobfind Centres Australia has completed over 2500 assessments in 2 years and uses CMyPeople to assess those clients that have been unemployed for more than 12 months, as well as highly disadvantaged (HD) job seekers. Jobfind incorporated the CMyPeople assessments into their internal processes for 12 months + and HD job seekers to assist with:

• Job seeker assessments
• Job seeker motivation
• Career guidance
• Training advice
• CV writing and job applications
• Interview advice and training
• Work preparation activities
• Reverse Marketing to employers
• Further training and development

The Programme

During March 2007, Jobfind randomly selected several centres that had been trained in the use and application of CMyPeople. The Centres selected were Palmerston and Casuarina NT, Maroubra and Parramatta NSW, Launceston and Devonport TAS, and Armadale WA. Each of these Centres has differing job seeker demographics and labour markets.

Evaluations of the CMyPeople tool were collected from individual Case Managers for every job seeker that was profiled from those centres during the month of March.

Research Results

The research found that the CMyPeople intervention increased placements by 66%. It was also found that of the job seekers that had completed the assessment and had been placed into a job, 50% had lasted past the 12 week threshold of continuous employment, compared to non-assessed job seekers, where only 30% had lasted past this 12 week threshold. The research also indicated that 61% of the placed job seekers would not have been placed during this time without the use of CMyPeople.

The research also showed that the use of CMyPeople significantly increased self esteem, with 67% of job seekers having positive and lasting effects on motivation and confidence after completing CMyPeople. Also, around 60% of job seekers profiled believed they had an improved direction for which job types to apply for.

Additional Findings

• 43% of ‘profiled’ job seekers had been placed into employment
• 67% of ‘profiled’ job seekers has positive and lasting effects on motivation & confidence
• 59% of ‘profiled’ job seekers had more/new direction in what type of job(s) to apply for
• 60% of those ‘placed’ job seekers advised that CMyPeople had direct impact in assisting the job seekers in gaining employment
• 61% of those ‘placed’ job seekers would not have been placed during this time without CMyPeople

Conclusion

Based on the demonstrated success and feedback from the study, Jobfind Centres Australia have continued to utilise the CMyPeople tool for the purpose of assessing, preparing, job matching and placing all identified long term unemployed (12 months +) and highly disadvantaged job seekers on a national basis.