Incumbent Worker Training

Incumbent worker training provides services to workers who are experiencing change in the workplace that requires personal or technical skill enhancement.

As jobs rely more on technology and critical thinking abilities workers must upgrade their skills and be ready to learn new ones. With upgraded skills, employees form a more productive, stable and secure workforce, which benefits them and their employers.

The Minnesota Teamsters Service Bureau helps members gain the skills and training they need through our incumbent worker-training program that includes several strategies:

Department of Labor demonstration grants
Funded for specific industries with specific employers

Life/Work Planning
Individualized assistance to workers assessing future options

Workforce Transitions Initiative
Customized assistance to individual employers

Workplace Enhancement Process
Strategy that ensures worker input is heard on company provided training initiatives

LIFE/WORK PLANNING PROCESS

The term "Life/Work Planning" describes a process for anticipating, planning and making personal work and life changes. It is more than a single plan, program or event. Instead, Life/Work Planning is a starting point for self-development.

It is an ongoing process in which individuals continue to review and evaluate their plans to adjust to changing needs in the workforce. This process recognizes the need for lifelong learning in today's changing economy and can be utilized by individuals who are seeking opportunities in their current workplace or in new careers.

THE PROCESS

The Life/Work Planning process typically begins with a six hour group class program followed by a one to one session with a career counselor. The program assists participants to:

  • Identify interest, personal values and transferable skills
  • Improve coping and decision making abilities
  • Develop stress management strategies to better handle change
  • Integrate career plans with short-term and long-term goals
  • Boost self-esteem and confidence to achieve career goals
  • Formulate a meaningful Life/Work Plan

In addition, a variety of workshops may be offered to supplement the core class program. Once participants have completed an initial Life/Work Plan; they are ready to begin individualized study in areas of specific needs.

LIFE/WORK PLANNING GROUP CLASS

Session One

  • Introductions
  • Overview
  • Stress Management
  • Lifestyle
  • Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (Personality Type)
  • Values Assessment
  • COPS (Career Occupational Preference System)
  • interest assessment sent home and brought back next session

Session Two

  • Skills Assessment
  • Caps (Career Ability Placement Survey)
  • Informational Interviewing
  • Goal Setting

One to One Meeting with Counselor

  • Interpret CAPS/COPS
  • Review: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (Personality Type)
  • Values Assessment
  • Completion of Life/Work Plan

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WORKFORCE TRANSITIONS INITIATIVE

The Minnesota Teamsters Service Bureau has broad-based experience in the delivery of customized incumbent training for a variety of worker classifications.

Due to our in-depth knowledge of, and our successful partnerships over many years with both public and private technical training institutions, we have been able to negotiate cost-effective training opportunities in several different industries.

Our knowledge of capabilities, and pricing structures of these educational institutions provides us with bargaining strength to ensure both the best price and the most focused training available.

An additional, and perhaps most important feature of our expertise in this area, revolves around our philosophy of inclusion. All of our customized training experiences have included stake-holder participation and input in the needs assessment, the design and the delivery structure of training.

We firmly believe that unless there is consensus by all parties, even the most cost-effective training will not have the fullest impact. The Service Bureau provides training and development services in three areas:

JOB SPECIFIC TECHNICAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Examples of job specific technical skills taught through the Minnesota Teamsters Service Bureau's workforce transitions programs:

  • machine tool set up and operation
  • surgical equipment sterilization
  • blue print reading
  • refrigerant recapturing and recycling
  • truck driving commercial license training
  • snow plow training

WORK RELATED BASIC SKILL DEVELOPMENT

English as a Second Language (ESL)  The Service Bureau is experienced in general ESL training as well as Occupational English as a Second Language (OESL) for clients. This training is available both on site at the workplace, or at another location.

WORKPLACE CHANGE/SELF MANAGEMENT SKILL DEVELOPMENT

The Service Bureau has recognized the need for programs that address the challenges presented by a rapidly changing workplace. The Service Bureau has developed one and two day courses designed to help employees adjust to the changing work environment:

  • Coping with Stress
  • Managing Time to Resolve Problems
  • Connecting with Others
  • Relating to Customers
  • Writing with Results
  • Career Life/Work Planning

To effectively address specific workplace issues, the Service Bureau custom designs programs to meet presenting problems:

  • Preventing Workplace Substance Abuse
  • Overcoming a Hostile Work Environment
  • Promoting Inclusiveness in the Workplace
  • Conflict Management

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WORKPLACE ENHANCEMENT PROCESS

PURPOSE:

To provide worker involvement in determining workplace enhancement strategies that result in a quality workplace environment that supports high worker satisfaction and productivity.

APPROACH:

The Minnesota Teamsters Service Bureau uses a participatory,information based, continuous feedback approach to involve workers in the process.

PROCESS PHASES:

Planning Phase  A team is formed consisting of worker, union, and management membership. The role of this team is to facilitate the process and provide input and direction for carrying out the working phase.

Working Phase  Three activities occur here:

  • Interviews of a representative group of workers. Results are reviewed and used to prepare the next activity;
  • Focus groups of 8 or 10 workers to validate and expand information gathered from individual interviews. This information is used to craft the final activity of the working phase; and
  • The enhancement survey. This survey is to be completed by every worker and results are used to prepare recommendations to the appropriate decision-makers about needed changes and/or training

Wrap-up Phase  All workers are provided information regarding the final report and recommendations.

The most critical piece is that all workers who have participated are given feedback regarding the information they were asked to provide.

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