A New Theory and Working With Ex-Offenders

During our recent GCDF CEU training in Lexington, we learned more about Cognitive Information Processing (CIP) Theory of career problem solving and decision making, which was developed out of the Florida State University Career Center. Here is a link to make you more familiar with the theory. (GCDF Competency: Career Theory)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_Information_Processing



Additionally, we talked quite a bit about the challenges of working with ex-offenders and how this is becoming a real issue in our region. According to an NCDA website article promoting a past Defendant / Offender Workforce Development (DOWD) Conference, “an explosive growth in the number of people on probation or parole has propelled the population of the American corrections system to more than 7.3 million. Recent reports published by the Pew Center on the States indicate that one in every 100 people in this country are confined in prison or jail and one in 31 individuals are behind bars, on probation or parole. Of those released, 67.5% will be rearrested within three years. Having a meaningful job with a livable wage and reducing the barriers to employment have proven to reduce the likelihood of re-offending.” Learn more on working with this population form the following NCDA article links. (GCDF Competencies: Employability Skills, Helping Relationships)



http://associationdatabase.com/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/news_article/5523/_PARENT/layout_details_cc/false

http://associationdatabase.com/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/news_article/32714/_PARENT/layout_details_cc/false

Trends

The white paper from the second annual 2011 Career Thought Leaders Global Brainstorming Day, is now available. As GCDF professionals, I'd place this high on your reading list. The report looks at trends in a variety of areas such as resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, job search, networking, recruitment and hiring, career planning and career management. In October, 250+ career professionals from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom met in 15 live and virtual events. Their focus was to brainstorm best practices, innovations, trends, new programs, new processes, and other observations that are currently impacting, and projected to impact, global employment, job search, and career management. Page 18 of the report gives mention to "The New" and plugs that "Professionally led job clubs and networking groups provide ongoing support for job seekers. Instead of or in additiuon to a one-on-one relationship with a coach, job seekers are finding increasing opportunities to stay in touch and gain ongoing advice through a job club led by a career professional."

I especially like the layout of the report in that each topic of focus is broken down into “the now”, “the new” and the "the next". You will be sure to come away from reading this report with an edge on where future trends are going and how to better serve our clients.