The term case management is no longer a function referred to in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The workforce system does not MANAGE a CASE but rather we are PLANNING a CAREER. So instead of Case Managers we now have Career Planners. Career Planners are also called a Career Advisor, Career Coach, or a multitude of other comparable titles.
In line with this, a new generation of workforce professionals have entered our industry. There have been many retirements in the last year and planned retirements in the coming year.
Unfortunately, many of the new workforce professionals have not been trained properly to ensure jobseekers and youth are provided the necessary skills and knowledge to enter a career pathways model. Many Local Workforce Areas focus on training and are not doing much related to basic career services and individualized career servicers. Sometimes the role of a first-line worker in the workforce system is like a McDonald’s server which is that of filling an order placed by the customer. For instance, an individual walks into a One-Stop Center referred by a Truck-Driving School and says “I want to go to FGH Truck-Driving School. Our workforce professional checks to see if the individual is eligible for WIOA funds and if so signs them up for FGH Truck-Driving School.
Even referrals like the FGH Truck-Driving School should include some assessment to ensure the placement is appropriate and the individual has a reasonable chance for success. In addition, coaching should be conducted that provides reassurance that the individual has the support required financially, personally, and emotionally to be successful in this career. The Career Coach should discuss labor market information and promotion opportunities in the truck-driving industry. The Career Coach should ensure that an individual understands the commitment required to do over the road driving versus regional driving versus local driving.
In my work as a WIOA Program Monitor, I see many cases note entries that show a Career Coach having minimal contact with truck-driving representative that indicate whether an individual is still attending or has finished. Those entries are fine but there should also be evidence of coaching with the WIOA enrolled client. The coaching should include discussions on how the training is going, questions regarding how the individual is getting along with other trainees and the trainer, and discussions on any supportive service needs the individual may have such as transportation to and from training.
In addition, a Career Coach needs to show follow-up with the individual once he or she has completed the truck-driving training. Follow-up case notes should indicate progress toward getting and/or keeping a job as a truck-driver and discussion on any support the individual may need related to job search or support to help him or her keep the job. Sometimes an individual may need travel supportive services until he or she gets the first or even second paycheck. This information should be documented in the case notes.
If the workforce system is only signing people up for school and not doing basic and individualized career services, then technically we are not needed. Schools can sign people up directly without our involvement. Client engagement is an essential function that validates the need for a workforce system to support individuals in deciding on a career and to help individuals get and keep a job.
