Elevating Frontline Jobs in the Workforce Development Field

Abstract

For individuals who are unemployed, workforce development programs serve as an important second- chance system, providing relevant career readiness training, connections to necessary social service supports, and access to employment opportunities. Often overlooked, however, are the staff -- case managers, job developers, trainers -- who serve as the first point of contact for these job seekers. Given the difficult nature of preparing job seekers for career path employment and catering to the hiring needs of businesses, frontline staff must possess a complete tool box of knowledge, skills, and strategies. This is where the Chicago Jobs Council’s Frontline Focus Training Institute (FFTI) serves as an essential resource, ensuring frontline workers have access to the tools, resources, and conditions necessary to succeed and thrive. Since its inception, FFTI has been informed by and responsive to the changing workforce development field, singularly focused on ensuring best practice research, curriculum, and resources get into the hands of frontline providers to both enhance and standardize the delivery of services across workforce development systems nationally.