Resources for Libraries, Schools and
Employment Centres
(developed by Craig Paardekooper - winner of the
Talk
Talk Innovation in the Community Award 2008)
Outline of the Job Interface
1. INTRODUCTION
2.
JOB INTERFACE
FULL PICTURES
RESOURCES ON THE JOB INTERFACE
1. CAREER TESTS
SUMMARY
WHAT MAKES THE JOB INTERFACE TRULY UNIQUE
ABOUT ME
The Job Interface is a windows based program that resides on the desktop of client PCs. It embodies a wide spectrum of resources that job seekers have found to be useful over the years. It is used by many local government and charity based employment services throughout the London area.
The interface is displayed when the user clicks upon a desktop icon, and is closed when the user clicks the CLOSE button. This is the normal mode for public service providers such as libraries. However, the interface can also be configured as a permanent desktop background that holds the job seekers attention to the task of job-seeking; it is used in this way by a large number of employment services and charities.
The Job Interface provides
all the job vacancy resources found in a typical job centre - including
government job sites, newspapers, trade magazines and the 12 leading general
job sites. In addition there are over 50 specialist job sites - representing
the leading job sites for those industries. Single- click access means that
job seekers do not have to remember URLs or ask staff for them. This means
that they visit more job sites in any period of time than they would
otherwise.
PICTURE OF THE JOB INTERFACE MAIN SCREEN (2005 edition) Contents
PICTURE OF THE JOB INTERFACE MAIN SCREEN (2008 edition)
PICTURE OF JOB INTERFACE INSTALLED AT St MUNGOS
RESOURCES ON THE JOB INTERFACE
1. CAREER TESTS
The software provides a battery of powerful career tests for helping to match a person's personality to careers.
Identifying ones goals and focusing ones energies towards those goals seems a logical and necessary first step for clients to get back into work. Without a clear goal, clients can feel dissipated, confused and uncertain of what they want - leading to greater apathy and lower motivation.
The career tests built into the software include the Myers Briggs and Holland Tests. The Enneagram will soon be added too. There are several exercises related to each test that provide a framework for client sessions. Further tests can be added subject to staff request. These updates will be added within 7 days of the request being made.
PICTURE OF THE CAREERS TEST INTERFACE
PICTURE OF A CAREER TEST (Myers Briggs)
PICTURE OF CAREERS TEST (Holland Test)
Once a person has an idea of a career, they can investigate further. The software provides over 600 career films covering all industries. Each film is 5 minutes long and consists of an interview with a person working in a particular industry. These films hold client attention, are quite informative and quite inspiring. They alert job seekers to a wide world of possibilities - many things that they might never have considered - creating a sense of interest, hope and optimism. The video format is quite appealing to the young and those who find difficulty with reading or have an attention deficit disorder. The videos include sub-titles for those who are hard of hearing. Clients select an industrial category, and the interface displays 30+ job titles in a listbox. Clicking on any job title will play the video
PICTURE OF CAREER VIDEO INTERFACE
PICTURE OF VIDEO SELECTION INTERFACE (example for "Construction" Industry)
The software also links to LEARN DIRECT and DIRECT GOV sites to provide full text-based job profiles covering all aspects of over 600 industries, including expected pay, qualifications needed, and routes into employment. These text-based profiles are a progression from the Video profiles, and a way of going into greater depth in examining the components of a career and what training is required.
Once a client has established clear career goals, then access to training will enable them to gain the necessary skills to achieve those goals. The Job Interface includes links to
There are links to over 100 apprenticeship schemes currently running in the UK. Additional training resources can be added on staff request. Updates will be carried out within 7 days of the request being made
PICTURE OF TRAINING DIRECTORIES INTERFACE
I have begun to add resources for learning English, as this comprises a very common need among foreign nationalities. It is my hope to work as closely as possible with staff to develop this part of the interface. Many additions are possible - the addition of online tutorials, teaching materials, dictionaries, thesauri, course information, a language notice board etc. I am open to suggestions of resources we can add here and would like to hear from staff what they want.
*** A new feature will be added to the training resources. It is an online notice board that can be updated by staff. Messages are instantly visible on all PCs within the centre. This is useful if staff become aware of a particular course or training scheme that would be of special interest to clients.
JOB APPLICATION RESOURCES Contents
Job application resources include -
The Job Interface provides all the job vacancy resources found in a typical job centre - including government job sites, newspapers, trade magazines and the 12 leading general job sites. In addition there are over 50 specialist job sites - representing the leading job sites for those industries. Single- click access means that job seekers do not have to remember URLs or ask staff for them. This means that they visit more job sites in any period of time than they would otherwise.
PICTURE OF JOB VACANCIES INTERFACE
In addition, there are job resources created specifically for Polish workers. These resources include the latest job vacancies specifically for Polish speaking clients, links to all the main job agencies that provide work for Polish expats, a notice board that can be updated by staff, and an online community.
PICTURE OF POLISH JOBS INTERFACE
There is also a page providing job resources for people with disabilities. Here you will find links to all the main job agencies for people with disabilities. I am happy to attend focus groups with staff, and update the software to include ANY suggestions they make.
PICTURE OF DISABILITIES JOBS INTERFACE
PICTURE OF MOBILE ACCESS TO WEB SERVICES (eg SAFETY, JOBS, TRAINING)
This is a picture of the "Mobile Job Point" service. I created this service to enable clients to access job vacancies on their mobiles. Job vacancies are posted by employment centre staff and by myself. The vacancies are low entry, or part time, and suitable for long-term unemployed. This service requires a WAP enabled mobile phone. Clients enter - www. mobilejobpoint . com in their mobile browser. They are given a choice of industry categories. Staff can input jobs at - www. mobilejobpoint2 . com I am currently developing additional mobile phone services so that clients can receive job alerts and training alerts on their mobile phones by SMS.
The CV Maker provides a choice of 6 templates to choose from and creates a CV
based on user input.
PICTURE OF CV TEMPLATE INTERFACE
The Letter Maker creates a cover letter to go with a CV based on user input. It also creates a "speculative" letter. Staff are invited to suggest the creation of alternative letter templates if these are preferred.
PICTURE OF THE LETTER MAKER INTERFACE
The Mass Emailer enables a client to send their CV to all the local companies in their chosen industry. This incredible piece of software works from a database containing the emails of all local companies divided up by industry. The Mass Emailer is a wonderful tool for obtaining work such as cleaning, construction, retail, admin. The email database is updated regularly with new emails. The database also divides according to company nationality. For example, it contains most of the Polish companies in London, and Polish speakers are able to filter and select these. If staff deal with other nationalities, then staff can request the creation of new databases that contain all the local companies for that nationality - for example, all the Russian companies in London etc.
PICTURE OF THE MASS EMAILER INTERFACE
Speculative job search is an exciting way of searching for jobs before they are even advertised. To do this, clients need easy access to information about all the local companies in their chosen industry. This information is found in several different business directories. The Job Interface provides links to all of these directories.
PICTURE OF THE SPECULATIVE JOB SEARCH INTERFACE
*** A new feature will be added to the job
applications resources. It is an online CV Bank. Clients are prone to create CVs
then forget where they stored them, loose them and have to redo them countless
times. This new feature will enable clients to store their CVs in a central and
secure location, and have easy access to them. They will also be able to send
their CV as a link to employers, so it will save them having to "attach " files
in future. A client will be able to access their CV from anywhere that has an
internet connection.
*** A new feature will be added to the job applications resources. Work experience can be a stepping stone into paid work. Clients may wish to obtain unpaid work experience to find out if they'd like to work in a particular industry, and to find out more about that industry. New resources will be added to the Job Interface covering this aspect. An interface will be added providing information and links on voluntary work, and job placement schemes.
BENEFITS / HOUSING RESOURCES Contents
The Job interface includes a number of resources to help clients plan what level of income they need, and calculate their specific out-goings.
The Job Interface also provides access to online benefits calculators, so clients can calculate the amount of housing benefit and council tax benefit they may receive depending on their level of income.
Thirdly, the Job Interface provides information on emergency food, clothing and washing facilities, for people who fall through the benefits safety net.
Finally, the Job Interface provides information on emergency housing. It is hoped that through working with housing staff, this resource can be steadily improved, a truly excellent facility can be developed that places a wealth of information at the finger tips of housing staff. I am keen to attend focus groups with housing staff to scope out these improvements.
GEOGRAPHICAL RESOURCES Contents
Here are resources to help clients plan travelling to and from interviews and work. These resources include -
COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES Contents
These resources include
I have tried to be as comprehensive as possible in including the full range of possible groups and networks. Perhaps the most valuable network of all is the WORK network comprised of the people we work with, our colleagues. We usually share many interests, values and ambitions with our work network, so these people are very important to us. Unemployed people can access this kind of network through work experience, training at college and voluntary work.
*** A new feature will be added to the community resources. The new rules requiring single parents to work mean that alternative provisions for childcare will become increasingly important. I hope to add a notice-board/ forum for single parents, so they can communicate with each other. Also, through linking with each other they can perhaps share the burden of childcare, acting as baby-sitters for one-another.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESOURCES
Contents
INPUT
Online Client Databases:
Staff can update client records online, enabling staff to work from any
location with internet access. This would suit those staff wishing to work
from home, or other offices. This facility can save a huge amount of staff
time spent in travel, and can enable staff to work from varied locations
whilst completing the mundane task of updating client records. Client
databases are secure and password protected, so only staff have access.
An example of such a database is shown below. This database was created for the Polish workers in the UK, and currently it is unique in being the only database that serves this purpose. The input fields show my own details, since real data is data-protected.
Part-time and voluntary staff have found that using online databases gives them far more freedom to work in environments that are pleasing, convenient and relaxing, whilst taking away the cost, stress and time spent in travel (a large part of the working day).
PICTURE OF AN ONLINE CLIENT DATABASE
OUTPUTS
A count of outputs generated is a useful tool for
demonstrating to funders the results they are looking for. Output categories
can be as specific as requested. Outputs can also be in the form of statistics -
useful for compiling reports. An example is shown below.
PICTURE OF AN OUTPUTS DATABASE
An example of such a database is shown below. This database was created for the Polish workers in the UK, and currently it is unique in being the only database that serves this purpose. The input fields show my own details, since real data is data-protected.
Part-time and voluntary staff have found that using online databases gives them far more freedom to work in environments that are pleasing, convenient and relaxing, whilst taking away the cost, stress and time spent in travel (a large part of the working day).
It serves 3 main benefits for the Job Seeker -
ONLINE
DEMONSTRATIONS
Contents
The software is a windows desktop programme that
runs from the client PCs hard drive. Only some of it's resources are currently
available as demonstrations on the internet. Here are some small examples of
just a few of it's resources.
Careers Demos
Job Vacancies
Speculative Job Search
Self Employment
Community
Recording OutputsThese are just a few examples. Full demonstrations are available at many centres in
London, where the software is in current use. A list of these can be found
below.
TESTIMONIALS
Contents
The Job Interface has been awarded national recognition - winner of "Talk Talk Innovation in the Community 2008". This award is to be presented at the House of Lords in November 2008.
The Job Interface is highly recommended by funding organisations such as Homeless Link.
The Job Interface has been in use at the following centres for almost 2 years. It has become an integral and reliable part of their day-to-day activities and is popular with both staff and clients.
St Mungos :
Bridge Training Centre
Contact Corin Pilling
Centre manager
0208 960 6798
07801 034 870
St Mungos
Atlantic Rd Centre
St Mungos
Cromwell Rd Centre
St Mungos
Cedars Rd Centre
Connections at St Martins
Contact Bill Williams
Manager
0207 766 5546
0207 766 5547
Broadway Homelessness and Support Ltd
Market Lane Centre
Contact Peter Murphy
0207 089 9608
07947 761 891
Broadway Homelessness and Support Ltd
Coningham Rd Centre
Contact Peter Murphy
0207 089 9608
07947 761 891
Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council
Mike Hollingsworth
IT Manager
0207 938 8288
07973 124 264
Kensington Recruitment
Contact Paul Featherstone
0207 937 1611
Cardinal Hume Centre
Contact Phillip
0207 222 1602
Southwark Council
Southwark Works
Contact Katy Bobin
0207 701 9869
07722 138 987
Chelsea Methodist Church
Stephen Braddick
Centre Manager
0207 352 9305
Community Media Design
Contact Rohan Wijetunge
Senior IT Tutor
0207 193 2239
UR4Jobs
Upper Room
St Saviours Church
Cobbold Rd
London W12 9LN
Joseph Stephens
Employment Adviser
Richmond Fellowship Employment
Waltham Forest
1A Harvey House
Harvey Road
Leytonstone
London E11 3DB
Tel: 020 8536 9936
Jan Lemmon
RFET Brent
"This is a really excellent product that I would
feel no hesitation in recommending to other organizations."
Graham Burton, Manager of St Mungos Programme Centre
WHAT MAKES THE JOB
INTERFACE TRULY UNIQUE
Contents
1. SEVERAL RESOURCES COMBINED:
The Job Interface combines and brings together a multitude of excellent job,
career and training resources. This alone makes it a more useful product than
for example Job Centre Plus, or Learn Direct can be on their own.
2. ONGOING DEVELOPMENT AND BESPOKE INNOVATION:
But more than this is the fact that the Job Interface is CONTINUALLY developed
in co-operation with employment advisers and support staff working with
long-term unemployed. I attend several focus groups each month with these
organisations, and develop and implement their latest suggestions. As the
employment market changes, with changes in immigrant populations, new
legislation requiring disabled and single parents to work,
I am required to keep pace with these changes and
produce the bespoke software you find here.
3. INFORMED BY THE EXPERTISE OF SEVERAL EMPLOYMENT ORGANISATIONS: As mentioned in the previous point, my monthly participation in focus groups enables me to keep pace with changes in the employment market and gather the expertise of many organisations.
So the Job Interface is more than a product. It is a service that includes continual software development, informed by the expertise of a multitude of employment staff from many organisations.
What interests me about careers and helping people into work? Well I am aware of the pain caused when a person is unable to decide what to do with their life - or where to start. This kind of confusion is debilitating, and makes the person feel disconnected and rejected from main-stream society. With this comes a feeling that they don't belong and cannot be accepted.
It is my belief that when a person finds a career or job that they are happy with, then most other things fall into place. You could call it "Job Therapy". They fit in at last, and feel empowered because they are self-sufficient rather than dependent. What's more, their motivation and energy are enhanced, because they have a clearer vision of what they want to do. Much of my work over the last 2 years has been voluntary, though for the future I intend to provide improved services for a basic wage.
My degree is in Psychology (BSc 2.1), and my
post-graduate studies have been in computing and philosophy. So I am not just a
vendor of a product. I am a developer, and I am inspired to help people in this
field. My commitment is reflected in the regular focus groups I attend with
employment groups, working hand-in-hand at a grass-roots level.
Other projects that I am currently involved in are -
1. Training by Mobile: Access to course information is currently via internet on desktops and laptops. I am developing the software to provide access via mobile WAP. I created a proto-type for the employment sector that can be viewed on any WAP mobile phone at - www.mobilejobpoint.com. Currently I am working with major universities and colleges in London to develop a mobile gateway to their course databases. This is an ongoing project with a steady learning curve involving technologies such as Web Services, XML, SOAP, and ASP.
2. Work Values & Purpose: This project aims to establish an understanding of human motivation and emotion - where do people derive their sense of meaning and purpose from? What makes a person want to achieve, to grow and develop? Such an understanding is linked to their moral framework and their sense of value. An understanding of this may help people back into work. I have made some progress with this in defining a map of the human emotions and how they all relate to one another. My first thoughts can be viewed here - Map of the Emotions. These thoughts are closely related to similar schemes currently used by the employment services - such as the Holland framework - based on Allport's 6 value types.
It may also be possible to derive values from an understanding of the teleology in nature.
1. Animal Welfare: Like everyone in society, I prefer not to cause unnecessary suffering. Some suffering is involved in intensive rearing of animals for food. Consequently I am interested in exploring ways of encouraging people to eat organic or non-intensive produce. What is required is not a radical change in diet, but simply a shift towards non-intensive produce. Also, a change in shopping locations is not required. My project involves encouraging people to carry on shopping at their local supermarkets, by providing a list of non-intensive products that are currently available in their supermarkets. This list will be readily available from staff upon request, and also streets local to the supermarket will be leafleted. I hope to recruit volunteers to help run this project, but am currently piloting it in Chelsea, my home town. It is possibly true to say that animals reared intensively for food suffer more than any person or group of people have ever suffered. Consequently, the alleviation of this suffering is a worthy cause.
2. Child Welfare: The aim of this project is to push through Parliament a bill making it a legal requirement for children at risk to attend a fortnightly medical check up carried out by a qualified doctor. The result of such monitoring would be a big reduction of child abuse, and an early detection of abuse before it became life threatening or seriously damaged the child's health. The checkups could be confined to those most at risk. My project involves defining and outlining a proposal and sending it to all 700 Mps in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, and a follow up media campaign to chart the Mp response and results as they impact on child welfare..
3. Parents: This project aims to help single parents link up with each other, so they can share information, and co-operate to provide mutual child care. I created a website - www.mom.gb.com and have designed leaflets and carried out leaflet drops. The response has been extremely limited. This could be due to either parent apathy or simply that single parents are satisfied with their current childcare provision. Either way, the project has been put on the back-burner for now.
4. Community: The aim of this project is to unite people in every street with their neighbours, for the purpose of developing community, networking, friendship. I created a website - www.meetmystreet.com. The project has been a relative success - with 300 members in London. It is simply a matter of publicity. If everyone knew about it everyone would join - and life would be more interesting.
Craig Kooper
Employment Programs
Tel: 0207 795 0575
Mob: 07975 866 810
Email: craig_pkooper @ yahoo.com