Effective employer engagement is essential to the success of transitional jobs (TJ) and subsidized employment programs. This Employer Engagement Toolkit offers a wide range of resources that workforce development stakeholders can use to show employers the business value of partnering with a TJ or subsidized employment program, plan and implement effective job development strategies, build lasting relationships with employers, and promote positive employment outcomes for job seekers with barriers to employment.
Research Briefs & Resources |
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| Understand and show employers the business value of partnering with a TJ or subsidized employment program. | Plan and implement effective job development services to help the chronically unemployed secure unsubsidized jobs. | Understand the roles, responsibilities, and qualifications of an effective job developer. |
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| Show employers the business value of offering time-limited job opportunities to workers with subsidized wages. | Show employers the business value of hiring employment program graduates into unsubsidized positions. | Help employers understand their role in developing TJ participants’ skills and work readiness—and how doing so is good for their business. |
Employer Partner Stories
Hear from employers how partnering with transitional jobs and subsidized employment programs was good for their business.
Catholic Social Justice Ministry
Additional Resources for Workforce Development Professionals
Connecting with Employers & Exploring Occupations
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The Rotary Club finder, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce directory can be used to locate potential employer partners.
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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook provides information on the pay, job outlook, and education and training needed for hundreds of occupations.
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O*Net Online offers detailed information about different careers and occupations, career exploration tools, job analysis questionnaires, and more.
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Career OneStop has an employer locator that is searchable by industry, occupation, location, or keyword.
Engaging Employers & Maintaining Positive Employer Relationships
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The U.S. Department of Labor sponsors the Expanding Business Engagement website, featuring resources and tools that can help job developers understand and engage with businesses.
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The U.S. Department of Justice created a toolkit with suggested practices for engaging employers about job opportunities for people with criminal records.
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The Workforce Strategies Initiative at the Aspen Institute has webinars and other resources that offer strategies for building effective relationships with employers.
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The Workforce Strategy Center published a report showing how Year Up is a model for effective employer engagement.
Making the Case for Hiring Individuals with Barriers to Employment
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The Federal Bonding Program is a no-cost means for businesses to mitigate the perceived financial risk of hiring individuals with barriers to employment.
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The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) offers cost savings to employers who hire individuals with barriers to employment.
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The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center has Reentry Mythbusters for employers and workforce development specialists who are interested in the incentives and protections involved in hiring people with criminal records.
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TJ and subsidized employment programs can make a real social impact. Research from Cone Communications shows why it’s a strategic business decision for employers to engage in socially responsible business practices.
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The Workforce Strategies Initiative at the Aspen Institute shows how workforce development professionals can measure the value and effectiveness of their services from a business or economic development perspective.
Building Staff Capacity and Skills
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The National Association of Workforce Development Professionals advocates for the workforce industry and develops the capacity of workforce professionals.
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The NTJN offers employment program staff best practices for enhancing participant job retention and advancement.
