Evidence-Based Career Navigation

7-Step Career Pathway

Empower your organization with SkillsFirst’s evidence-based career navigation program. Our unique 7-Step Career Pathway model offers holistic support to individuals, guiding them from intake through to job placement. This model has been shown to generate substantial economic growth and empowerment through our proven R.I.S.E. Up Pilot Program. Discover how our career navigation can help your members unlock their potential, bolster their skills, and achieve their career aspirations today.

Step-by-Step Path to Success

Our evidence-based program provides a comprehensive roadmap for career development, offering seven steps to empower your members:

Intake: Initiate your members’ career development journey by registering them in the career pathways program.

Coaching: Guiding members through activities that aid informed career decisions, our evidence-based coaching method provides holistic career navigation.

Support: By addressing barriers to employment, we offer resources and services to overcome challenges, paving the way to success.

Learning: Develop personalized training plans aligning with members’ career goals, equipping them with the requisite skills and knowledge.

Credentials: Monitor progress towards earning relevant credentials, enhancing members’ professional development and marketability.

Profiles: Connect your members with potential employers by sharing career profiles within the program.

Placement: Track job placement outcomes, ensuring your members find suitable employment opportunities that align with their career goals.

Evidence-Based Career Coaching

Our coaching model, utilized in Step 2, offers a structured approach to help members navigate their career journey:

1

Self-Understanding

Members review assessment reports, developing a thorough understanding of their strengths, interests, and personality traits.

2

Option Exploration

Identify target and alternate jobs, evaluate strengths, and recognize growth opportunities, broadening career possibilities.

3

Decision Making

Plan job progression, including education, training, credentials, and needed supports, making choices based on data-driven insights.

4

Action Planning

Devise concrete career action plans with clear steps and milestones, propelling members towards their career goals.

Measurable Impact

Our 2-year pilot program in West Michigan delivered considerable economic growth and empowerment:

$14,226

Average annual wage increase per participant.

$938,770

Total annual wage increase across program participants.

75%

of participants completed key career coaching steps.

40%

of participants were from neighborhoods with high poverty and unemployment, showcasing the program's impact on underserved communities.

Real Impact, Real Voices

Testimonials from Our Program Participants

Evidence-Based Career Coaching is so valuable because it helps students and job seekers use data to dive deeper into their interests and personality. The process enables them to make choices that align with this data. With that resource and a coach to walk beside them they can begin to relate towards career opportunities along with setting clear goals to be successful in the path they choose to walk.

Robel Rezene

Career Coach at West Michigan Works!

Sometimes I would apply for jobs, but they would ask for qualifications I didn’t have. My Coach told me that all my qualities were there, I just needed to be more confident and go for it, and we went through the steps together. My Coach’s words of encouragement did impact me, it made me feel more confident. I went into my interview like, ‘I got this!

R.I.S.E. Up Participant

R.I.S.E. Up

I really like the test that shows you your top jobs. It Was nice to see my traits match with the career I’m going for. The assessments showed me my weaknesses and my strengths, and my Coach helped me think about how to turn those weaknesses into strengths.

R.I.S.E. Up Participant

R.I.S.E. Up

I met with my Coach, and we explored where I wanted and needed to be. I needed to go to school, but funding school Was challenging. The Resource Navigator helped me get funding and even helped with childcare. It Was a blessing!