Randstad has developed career-readiness programs for underserved women and teens.
Our search for greater purpose
Whether at the start of the day or its close, everyone likely has asked themselves if the job they're doing actually matters. In the realm of organizational development and effectiveness, we absolutely understand our purpose in the corporate ecosystem. Through our efforts, Randstad functions more effectively because we design and deliver programs that address vital issues for any employer:
- addressing skills gaps in the workforce
- ensuring employees have the necessary tools and resources to do their jobs
- mapping the future by executing leadership development and succession plans.
But despite the firm conviction that our team delivers a valuable service to our colleagues and our organization, it is difficult to equate the job we do with making the world a better place. So, we asked ourselves, how can talent development professionals make an impact on the world around them?
With a determined team and strong encouragement from our leaders, we found a way to give back through community outreach. Our team's work focused on career-readiness training, initially through a program called "exploreWork." This program has now expanded into "Hire Hope," where we partner with other community organizations to help women find safety first, purpose second, and the means to ensure both through employment. It's a unique initiative that initially was enabled by our talent development group and now includes more than 100 volunteers from within Randstad US.
exploreWork
When Randstad surveyed more than 2,000 business professionals about skills shortages, nearly half cited a lack of job experience, followed by limited industry knowledge, a lack of soft skills, and a less-than-ideal work ethic. Clearly there is a need to better prepare students for the world of work. In 2011, our talent management team created exploreWork to do just that. The program's goal is to empower and equip high school students with tools, knowledge, and resources to effectively compete in the workplace through education and mentoring.
The exploreWork program has helped make a difference in the lives of teens and Randstad associates across the nation. While our talent development team created this work-preparedness program, we do more than participate locally; we've created a community outreach initiative that trains volunteers from among our U.S. employees to share their unique knowledge of the workforce with students poised to enter it.
Localized collaboration between a Randstad office and a neighboring school or community organization (such as 4H and Boys and Girls Clubs) is at the heart of this work-readiness initiative. We partner to provide career-related mentoring and support services that meet the specific needs of teens in the local communities Randstad serves. We are able to offer everything from writing a resume and interviewing to presenting yourself professionally. Since the program's inception, more than 300 Randstad employees have had the opportunity to help nearly 4,000 students in 125 schools and organizations across the United States.
"What an amazing journey to undertake. We began with a mission to prepare high school sophomores and juniors for the world of work, and we had no idea it would catch on like wildfire," says Tokea Andebrhan, director of training for Randstad corporate services. "Not only were our employees leading the charge, but junior SHRM chapters, community colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations all jumped onboard to make a difference in their communities."
Hire Hope
Hire Hope, launched in February 2014, is an expansion of the exploreWork program and is designed by Randstad to provide career-readiness training and job placement services to underserved and at-risk women. The population served includes survivors of exploitation or trafficking.
The program is currently being piloted in Atlanta and is executed in partnership with the Empowered Living Academy, a charity focused on helping women develop the skills necessary to live independently and increase career-related competencies. The vision is for participants to flourish by using the knowledge and professional experience gained to reintegrate back into the economy in a positive way, further helping to shape the world of work.
We got involved because one of our clients was a passionate supporter of this initiative, and we specialize in putting people to work. More than 70 women have been able to turn their lives around with help from the Hire Hope program. It consists of three phases: restore, grow, and flourish.
During these stages, participants receive job skills training, the opportunity of a paid apprenticeship, and guidance and assistance to find permanent employment. In addition, Randstad stays in contact with Hire Hope graduates to assist them with workplace challenges.
In a recent interview with Atlanta Magazine, Linda Galipeau, CEO of Randstad North America, stated, "You can just imagine what these women have been through. Their self-esteem is very fragile." One program graduate, who was a refugee from Sierra Leone, expressed her appreciation for the opportunities provided by Hire Hope, saying Randstad helped her build up her confidence, which enabled her to reach higher so that she can take care of her baby in a way that would not have been possible without the support of our volunteers.
The bottom-line benefit
In our 2015 engagement survey, 88 percent of employees agreed that it is important that their company is involved with the community. Giving back is a differentiator for Randstad as we look to attract great talent, many of whom only want to work for a company that provides opportunities to find meaning and purpose beyond the traditional business requirements of the job.
Programs such as Hire Hope, exploreWork, and the other local community service efforts Randstad supports not only help us keep our best workers engaged, but also help them develop talents needed as future leaders of our organization.
About Randstad
Randstad US is a wholly owned subsidiary of Randstad Holding nv, a $24.5 billion global provider of HR services. Randstad provides temporary, temporary-to-hire, and permanent placement services each week to more than 100,000 people through its network of more than 900 branches and client-dedicated locations.
Are You Giving Back?
Giving back to our communities doesn’t just mean reaching into our wallets. Many nonprofits and community organizations can use the skill sets of talent development professionals. How do you define “giving back” and how do you think it affects your organization? What are you or your employees and organization doing to give back to the profession or society at large? CTDO would love to share your giving back story.
Contact Ann Parker, senior manager of the Association for Talent Development’s Senior Leaders and Executives Community of Practice, with your ideas and stories.
Read more from CTDO magazine: Essential talent development content for C-suite leaders.
