Insights and Perspectives

Our Response To The COVID-19 Outbreak

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 12:46:00 GMT

Here is an update from our president, Paul Toomey, about how we're responding to the COVID-19 outbreak.

At Geographic Solutions, our primary focus is on the health, safety, and well-being of our clients, users, and employees. We are closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation as it unfolds and continue to direct our business decisions with this focus as we work together through these unprecedented times. During this time, I wanted to reach out and update you on how we are approaching the situation at Geographic Solutions:

Service to Our Clients and Users
It is critical that we continue supplying the same level of service and support upon which our clients and users depend. We are already seeing an increase in traffic on our websites, and we are adding hardware and network resources to ensure the continued performance of all the sites that we host.

For those sites where we process unemployment claims, there is already a significant increase in initial claims. For example, in Louisiana 291 initial claims for unemployment were submitted on March 10, 2020, while 11,304 initial claims were filed one week later on March 17, 2020. We are working with our Unemployment Insurance (UI) clients to take actions to accommodate the increased volume with actions that include:

• Waiving and modifying of work search requirements
• Waiving of waiting weeks
• Adding COVID-19 questions to claim forms
• Relief of employer charges

We are also ready to help enact any new Federal UI legislation, as it is passed. This includes all aspects of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

We understand that several of our clients have transitioned their employees to work from home, and that several more are considering this move. Our software fully supports remote working and allows agency staff to operate anywhere there is an Internet connection. The only exception to this flexibility is the handling of physical documents such as verification forms or the scanning of incoming correspondence. We are here to help with any challenges. Please feel free to contact us if you need assistance in setting up your remote operations.

Our Operations
On March 11, 2020, we enacted our Infectious Disease Outbreak Response Plan. Most of our employees are now working from home with company-supplied laptops and remain connected to both our phone system and servers through our Virtual Private Network (VPN). Under this plan, we are able to operate business as usual. Some of our key Administration, Operations, and Systems team members are still onsite and adhering to best practices for social distancing.

Please note that our main office phone line, 727-786-7955, is operational in order to keep the lines of communication open between staff and our clients. Our Network Operation Center, Help Desk, and Technical Support staff are all available to support you 24/7.

Travel Restrictions
While under the current national emergency we are restricting all employee travel. Whenever possible, we will be conducting activities, meetings, and training via web conference, in lieu of on-site interactions.

Our employees permanently located at a client site will follow any business continuity guidelines provided by the client or state agency.

Workforce Technology Conference
At this point, we are moving forward with our annual Workforce Technology Conference, which begins on June 15, 2020. We will, however, be monitoring the ever-evolving situation and our conference planning team will notify attendees if there is any change in plans.

Moving Forward
As new developments emerge regarding COVID-19, we will keep you updated on our response.

I want to personally thank you for your support and understanding during this difficult time. Please feel free to contact me at PToomey@geosolinc.com if you have any questions or concerns.

Take care and stay safe,
Paul Toomey
President

Skills-Based Workforce Development: Building Career Pathways To Real-World Jobs

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 15:53:00 GMT

By Christine Peng

In education and workforce development, the consensus is that there is a shift happening. States are reexamining their requirements for graduation and the associated coursework. Schools are now being tasked with equipping students with essential workplace skills, or soft skills, to boost their future employment prospects. With low unemployment, employers are looking to hire but can’t find skilled candidates. This is where skills-based training and career pathways models can help.

The Skills Economy

With the changing landscape of education and workforce, an emphasis on skills competency has emerged as a model for the future. How can you take today’s job seekers and quickly train them with the skills employers need? Skills-based training. How can you ensure that students today are prepared for the jobs of the future? Stackable credentials and transferable skills.

This forms the basis of career pathways training and education. Career pathways break down industries and occupations into knowledge and skills competencies. At the center of this are foundation skills, such as academic, personal, and workplace. From there, it branches out into industry and occupation-specific skills.

Why have skills competencies and stackable credentials become the currency of training? For workforce and human resources professionals, this is no surprise. Employers are challenged with finding skilled workers to fulfill the seven million job openings across the United States today. Some skills may be specialized, while others may apply to different pathways. But the quickest way to fill positions is to validate an applicant’s exact skills through stackable credentials such as digital badges and industry-recognized certifications.

Short-Term Training Solutions as the New Norm

Employers are looking for trainable workers, people who have core skills that can adapt to their needs. Micro-credentialing programs are attractive to employers because of time and solid proof of skills. Programs in IT, such as coding and development, have delivered quick results to employers through boot camps both in-person and online. Skills-based training models can be applied to any industry in the same way.

Written up in the Wall Street Journal, the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board (EWIB) has perfected their training model for manufacturing through their “Eastern CT Manufacturing Pipeline” program. Funded by the US Department of Labor Workforce Innovation Fund in partnership with the CT Department of Labor, EWIB works directly with Electric Boat, a division of General Dynamics, to source 5,000 applicants over the next few years for entry-level positions.

The program is designed for job seekers with no experience to take short-term classroom training and online training to get hired within 12 weeks. Job seekers are screened with assessments evaluating their core knowledge (basic math and reasoning, safety skills). If needed, remedial training is offered to bring their skills up to par. For those passing the assessments, they attend a custom 5-10 week hands-on program at Three Rivers Community College, Quinebaug Valley Community College, or Community College of Rhode Island. In addition to hands-on training, participants also have access to Metrix Learning where they can brush up through online courses. Over the past year, more than a thousand participants have been hired by Electric Boat and other local manufacturers.

The success of the "Eastern CT Manufacturing Pipeline" program hinges on job seekers gaining the exact skills the employer needed. The workforce board sat down with their local employers and outlined the immediate needs, developed a quick solution, and implemented it for stellar results. Where there were skill gaps, hands-on and online training filled it in. The flexibility of online and short-term training helps benefit the employer, the community, and the economy. The new hires will then gain work experience and continue building their skills directly through the employer. This skills-based model can be replicated with other industries as well. The program has been so successful that EWIB is developing their health care pipeline program next.

Developing Your Own Career Pathways

You can follow EWIB's example to develop career pathways for your own community. Take the reins and invite employers to speak with you on their hiring needs. Sit down with industry groups or individual employers to find out what's relevant to your city. Attend community meetings to find out what's happening on the ground. Look at labor market data and employment trends to identify needs. Think about your current job seekers and barriers they may face. Consider how to address these challenges and create new opportunities.

To build your own workforce pipeline program, consider these steps:

You can focus on pre-existing partnership and develop new connections to form your local pathways. Consider what assets exist today (trade schools, community colleges, etc.) and how to bridge any gaps in your training pipeline. Are there opportunities to fill in gaps?

Looking for advice on developing your career pathways? Need fresh ideas on skills-based training programs? Join Metrix Learning at the 2019 Workforce Technology Conference to find out more.

About the Author: Christine Peng is a Metrix Learning workforce solutions consultant working closely with clients from 15 states to customize and implement workforce development and training portals. Her experience includes in-depth career pathways analysis and learning management system design.

Three Sessions You Can't Miss At The 2019 Workforce Technology Conference

Sun, 21 Apr 2019 15:44:00 GMT

This year's Workforce Technology Conference is less than two months away, and we're excited to deliver an agenda full of new ideas, innovations, and training opportunities.

To save you from a severe case of FOMO (fear of missing out), here are three "can't miss" sessions you'll definitely want to attend.

The Next Steps

What does the future hold for Geographic Solutions' product line in 2020 and beyond? Hosted by President Paul Toomey, this session will give you an inside look at what's new and what's changing throughout our software suite. As part of the presentation, hear from our senior-level product architects about cutting-edge features currently in development.

The State of Recruitment Advertising

Recruitment advertising used to be Monster, CareerBuilder, whatever niche sites an employer used, and potentially a state or local workforce site. But, with the growth of Indeed, the development of Google Jobs, the use of LinkedIn for networking and recruitment, and the forthcoming effect of artificial intelligence, the landscape has changed. Join Advanced Interactive Media Group's Peter Zollman for an open discussion on these trends and more.

Best Practices and Enhancements

Don't miss your chance to have an active role in enhancing the user and customer experience. Broken out into three separate tracks, join subject matter experts from Geographic Solutions' workforce development, unemployment insurance, and labor market information teams to vote in real time on potential enhancements to our product line.

Regular Registration Closing Soon

If you haven't already registered, now is the time! We're looking forward to seeing you this summer in California for four immersive days of training, learning, and networking. Prices will increase on May 4, 2019, so act now, and take advantage of our regular registration rate.

10 Ways To Plant The Seeds Of Emotional Intelligence At Your Workforce Agency

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 15:28:00 GMT

By Maria Smith

It’s time to consider every workforce agency’s greatest asset – the team at the front line. Nurturing, developing, and boosting emotional intelligence (EI) in these crucial positions will change the way you see business, forever.

While it seems like everywhere you turn someone is talking about EI and leadership skills, these things aren’t actually new ideas, and in workforce development, we’re only just catching up. There’s such a massive body of work out there and a ton of books to devour that it seems crazy not to take advantage of it. At the end of this post, there’s a handy list of resources if you’re interested in learning more.

In a recent study of manufacturing supervisors that followed EI training, researchers reported a 20 percent drop in formal grievances, and an increase of $250,000 in productivity revenue.

Looking at the statistics, it’s safe to say that if EI was sold in stores, we’d all be lining up for it like the newest iPhone. But, unlike technology these days, it costs nothing more than your attention and understanding – which is a pretty great deal. But what exactly is EI?

Put simply, Emotional Intelligence is a measure of a person’s capability in self-awareness and social awareness. In slightly more complex terms, it’s a true skill that can take years to master. It can greatly increase your leadership skills, and all you need to do is dip your toe in the water.
Here are some tips to help increase your degree of emotional intelligence:

Own Your Feelings
Relate your feelings back to yourself rather than a person or situation. For example, instead of saying “You’re really annoying,” say “I am feeling annoyed.” Your feelings are your own and it’s important to understand that.

Discover Your Why
Instead of reacting outwardly to a feeling, ask yourself why you are experiencing it. Just keep asking why – you’ll move past the emotion and skip straight to a solution.

Use Your Feelings
Before making a decision or taking action, ask yourself how you will feel if you do it and how you will feel if you don’t. Your emotions are a useful guide to put you on the right path.

Use the Feelings of Others
Just like the last tip, the emotions of others also need to be considered. Before making a decision or taking action, ask yourself how others will feel if you do it and how others will feel if you don’t. Emotional intelligence is just as much about others as it is about yourself.

Convert Your Emotions
Emotions like anger can be used in really positive ways. Use it to energize yourself and get things done. The energy is already there, you just need to direct it.

Know That There isn’t Always a Solution
Sometimes people just need someone to listen. You don’t always need to offer a solution or opinion. By just spending time with the person, you are telling them that they are valued.

Check in With Yourself
Taking a minute every day to ask yourself “How do I feel” and “What will make me feel better” is incredibly important. Sometimes we can get worked up over time and not notice how it is impacting us. Connect back in with your emotions and address them.

Check in With Others
At any given point in the day, one person can be experiencing a whole range of emotions. Be aware of the people around you. If you notice something is not right, ask “How do you feel” and “What will make you feel better?”

Validate Others
Do your best to understand other people’s point of view. Everyone sees and experiences the world differently, and one way is no more right or wrong than another. Show understanding, empathy, and try to accept the feelings of others.

Step Out of Judgement
Judgement comes from assumptions, opinions, and generalizations – and all of these hold people back. When meeting someone new, try to wipe the slate clean and walk into the room opinion free. You’ll have a much clearer head and will be ready to listen.

If an emotionally intelligent leader means greater leadership and productivity, wouldn’t this also translate to employees? Create a more emotionally intelligent culture at your agency or development board. You’ll see greater engagement, and bigger, better outcomes.

Reading list:
• Working with Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman
• The Emotionally Intelligent Workplace, Daniel Goleman
• Emotional Intelligence at Work, Hendrie Weisinger, Ph.D.
• Executive EQ-Emotional Intelligence in Leadership and Organizations, Robert K Cooper Ph.D. and Ayman Sawaf

About the Author: Maria is the founder of Bounce Australia/USA, a multi-award-winning organization delivering life skills and job readiness training to the long-term unemployed, as well as professional development to leaders using emotional intelligence and positive psychology methodologies across both government and corporate sectors in Australia and internationally. Maria has an excellent reputation in the facilitation of workshops for leaders and front-line staff in providing self-awareness of the impact their unconscious and conscious communication has on influencing the behaviors of their employees. Her workshops and presentations are profound and powerful, leaving you wanting more.

Top 10 Reasons To Attend The 2019 Workforce Technology Conference

Thu, 28 Feb 2019 16:20:00 GMT

While parts of the country are still locked in the throes of winter, we’re already dreaming of warmer temperatures in the seasonable summer climate of coastal California. This can only mean one thing – it’s almost time for Geographic Solutions’ 2019 Workforce Technology Conference!

Held annually for the last 16 years, our client summit doubles as a big reveal where our staff members can demonstrate their hard work and dedication to our product development.

In 2019, we’re eager to present our newest developments for Virtual OneStop®, our flagship software suite. The all-in-one modular system features a component library that is customizable to meet the needs of several industries, including case management, vocational rehabilitation, unemployment insurance, higher education, human services, and corrections.

It was extremely difficult to pinpoint one singular reason you should join us this year, and it was even more challenging to stop at 10. With that said, here are 10 of our favorite reasons to say, “See You in Monterey!”

Sneak Peek of Virtual OneStop Version 20!

The cornerstone of our conference is your chance to hear from our president, Paul Toomey, about what we’re cooking up for Virtual OneStop Version 20.

Pre-Conference Training and Countless Breakout Sessions on Reports

We know that reporting is a critical part of your role. That’s why we’re dedicating half of our pre-conference training to ensuring you return to your agency or board with the latest Virtual OneStop reporting tips and tricks. To sweeten the deal, we’ll have multiple sessions throughout the week that focus solely on reports.

Keynote Speaker Maria Smith

We’re excited to welcome Bounce Australia’s Maria Smith to the main stage at the 2019 Workforce Technology Conference! With over 15 years of experience in business management, client engagement, training the highly disengaged, and creating tailored programs, Smith’s vision and attitude is contagious. Her mantra is “Everything is Possible,” and you’ll find out why this summer.

Ways to Make Your Job Easier with the Latest Efficiency Tools

If you love learning ways to work smarter, not harder, we have the tools for you. Hear from our experts how Staff Efficiency tools will make your life easier.

Networking With Agency Staff from All Over the Country

Reading about best practices or participating in an online webinar are invaluable resources. However. the 2019 Workforce Technology Conference gives you the opportunity to meet face-to-face with hundreds of industry professionals and pick their brains about what’s working and not working back at their agency or board.

Voting for Future Product Enhancements and Roundtable Discussions

We want to know how we can help you do your jobs better, and we’re inviting you to tell us at our yearly enhancements voting session. Submit your enhancements requests before the conference, and we’ll conduct live voting with a group of your peers.

One-On-One Meetings with Geographic Solutions Staff Members

Nothing beats collaborating in person with a subject matter expert. At the 2019 Workforce Technology Conference, we’ve carved out a three-hour block after the summit’s closing remarks to meet with Geographic Solutions’ staff members.

The Client Awards Luncheon

Perhaps more significant (and more important) than the Oscars, our client awards ceremony is a chance for you and your agency to earn bragging rights in multiple categories. Plus, enjoy a free lunch on us!

WID Geeks Unite Chat With our LMI Data Experts

Come together, right now…WID geeks! New to the conference in 2019, labor market information specialists will be able to meet with our data experts to discuss all things related to the Workforce Information Database.

Monterey Otters!!!

With up to a million hairs per square inch of fur, Monterey’s Sea otters are often seen floating near the shore, searching for clams, mussels, urchins, and crabs. Ubiquitous along the Central Coast, the largest members of the weasel family are numerous in places such as Moss Landing, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Cannery Row.

What are your favorite reasons to attend the Workforce Technology Conference? Want to share a fun story describing your experiences? Tell us in the comments below!

Haven't registered yet? Visit the conference registration page to join us this summer!

16th Annual Workforce Technology Conference Set For June At The New Monterey Conference Center

Wed, 16 Jan 2019 14:37:00 GMT

The 16th Annual Workforce Technology Conference takes place this June in Monterey, California, and we're in a brand-new, state-of-the-art meeting facility.

Celebrating its grand reopening in January of 2018, the Monterey Conference Center is at the center of the city's cultural and economic prosperity, adjoins the Monterey Marriot and Portola Hotel & Spa, and offers more than 40,000 square feet of meeting space.

2019's client summit is poised to deliver the familiar feel that it has each year since its inception in 2003. Our conference planning staff is gearing up to welcome 100+ distinct agencies with 45+ engaging sessions, hosted by 80+ industry and staff speakers.

Regular registration is now open! Visit our new conference page and save your seat today!

Unmasking Trojan Horse Employers

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 14:40:00 GMT

Considered a persistent nuisance on job boards across America, scam employers are perpetually masking empty career opportunities to look like good fortune.

At the 2018 Workforce Technology Conference, we brought together a panel of subject matter experts from our clients in North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida to discuss best practices for vetting employers in Virtual OneStop.

During the chat, the group acknowledged that regardless of an agency's location, there are a few red flags that should be watched for during account validation. They agreed that staff members should be vigilant when an account has been created with no registration information, no address, or an IP that is a considerable distance from the employer's main location. Unusual registration creation times should also be viewed as suspicious. The panelists also noted that non-business email accounts such as Yahoo, Gmail, and Outlook and unusual contact names and security question responses were red flags.

Job listings or job orders with the following should be scrutinized when reviewing for scam employers:

• Data Entry Clerk
• Manager
• President
• Customer Service
• Administrative Assistant

Practice Vigilance

In a recent Forbes.com article on fake jobs, it was estimated that employment scams cost workers about $2 billion in direct losses each year. Senior Forbes contributor Jack Kelly covers career growth, job market, and workplace trends. He recommends being vigilant about too-good-to-be-true job listings, including those that tout high pay and low requirements. He also recommends giving a skeptical eye to job postings or listings that don't require much skill or experience.

The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) blog warns to be leery of work-from-home job scams. Post-Covid, many employers do offer fully remote or hybrid roles. But some scams that the FTC has seen include charging for starter kits, job training, or certifications before the position even starts. The commission addressed several reoccurring themes that they've seen in employer and job scams, including reshipping and reselling merchandise.

Indeed's Career Guide blog on job scams advises to control the risk of becoming a victim of a scam by carefully researching all potential employers and scanning job posts for suspicious behavior. The article lists 17 common job scams, including high-paying data entry jobs, career advancement grants, and government jobs that ask you to pay a fee to apply.

The Bottom Line

Whether you are a staff member at a workforce agency, or a job seeker looking for the next waypoint in your career journey, stay vigilant. Chances are you may not encounter a scam or Trojan Horse employer. But if you do, look for the warning signs before proceeding. Verify that the information is correct. Consider using cybersecurity awareness best practices when weighing the validity of a suspicious employer or job posting.

Sun, Surf, and Workforce Tech

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 01:05:00 GMT

Earlier this summer, we hosted the 2018 Workforce Technology Conference at the Wyndham Grand Resort on Clearwater Beach. Our annual client summit attracted more than 220 workforce development professionals, representing 98 distinct agencies in 30 states from across the United States. A group of 80 attendees also participated in pre-conference training on Virtual OneStop® reporting and labor market tools.

This year, attendees had more presentations to choose from than ever before. Industry leaders and Geographic Solutions subject matter experts presented on a variety of topics, including unemployment insurance, labor market data, case management, current legislation, career tools for students, staff efficiency, and more.

And where one conference sails into the horizon, another appears. We've already set the gears in motion for 2019's client summit, taking place in Monterey, California. Stay tuned for more information in the next few weeks announcing the opening of registration.

To our guest speakers: we'd like to extend a warm thank you for not only traveling to speak at the conference, but also taking the time to share your knowledge and expertise with our attendees. We hope to have you join us as a speaker again at one of our future conferences.