|
WORKFORCE WISDOM FOCUS GROUP
KIT
Retirees Sharing Their Experiences:
Helping Young People Prepare for Careers
Overview
of Focus Groups
Sample Invitation Letter
Bio Sheet
Survey Form
Sample Agenda
Group Sessions
Overview of Focus Groups
Retirees Sharing Their Experiences
Retirees tell stories about their work experiences ranging from
the heroic to the embarrassing, always with the idea that they
learned from their experiences and either solved the problem
or found a new job. The bottom line is that they survived.
Focus Groups
Provide information on what is happening including your goals
for the focus group. For example . . .A focus group is being
held in PLACE to involve retirees in the preparation of a local
plan that asks gathers the ideas of retirees regarding:
1) Stories of their work experiences that might have relevance
to young people,
2) Suggestions about how retirees from business and labor can
help young people prepare for careers.
Preparation of Focus Groups
Provide information on how the focus groups were developed and
who was involved.
Information about Education-to-Careers
Provide some local information about education-to-careers or
something simple that helps retirees understand your goals.
Setting for Focus Groups
Provide he address for the focus group, directions, and a phone
number for more detailed directions.
Sponsors
This project is sponsored by ------
For further information, contact ------
Top
Sample Invitation Letter
Date
Name
Address
Dear -----------:
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "The creation of a thousand
forests is in one acorn." ---------------- invite/s you
to join 20 other retirees from ----------- to be as acorns--sharing
ideas and stories on your workforce experiences. The purpose
of the meeting is to draft a state plan (local recommendations)
on how retirees can help young people prepare for careers. The
meeting will take place at ---------- on ------- from 8 until
12 noon, followed by lunch.
If you have questions, please feel to call me at -------------------
Sincerely,
Convener
Top
Bio Sheet
Name
Address
City, Zip
Phone
E-mail
Age
Occupation (before retirement)
What do you enjoy (hobbies, recreation, pastime)?
Membership in Professional and Civic Organizations
Education (School attended)
High School:
College (include Major/Minor):
Return by DATE to Name, Address, and Phone Number
Top
Survey Form
The purpose of the survey is to obtain your ideas about preparing
young people for careers. Please complete all the questions.
Feel free to add your comments.
1. Are schools responsible for preparing students for the workforce?
Yes___ No___ If yes, what is their responsibility?
2. When should students begin thinking about careers?
Early grades (1-4)___ Middle school (5-8)___ High school ___
College___
3. What is the most important skill for young people in preparing
for a career?
4. What could retirees do to help young people with workforce
preparation?
5. How could retirees help young people move from welfare-to-work?
6. Are you aware of workforce preparation activities in the
state?
Yes___ No___ In your community? Yes___ No___
7. Are you aware of welfare-to-work activities in the state?
Yes___ No___
In your community? Yes___ No____
8. What was the most difficult task or skill for you in your
career?
9. During your career, was there one special person who helped
you? Yes___ No ___ If yes, how did that person help you and
make a difference in your life? Use the other side of the page
if you need additional space.
Return to:
Top
Sample Agenda
8:00 to 8:10 Welcome and Introductions
8:10-8:45 Keynote Speaker(s)
What is Happening in Illinois with Workforce Preparation/Education-to-Careers?
What is Welfare-to-Work?
Questions from Retirees
8:45 to 8:50 Task at Hand
8:50 to 10:00 Group Discussions
Sharing workforce experiences - stories of those who helped
us
What are the skills that young people need for the workforce?
How can we help?
10:00 to 10:10 Break
10:10 to 10:20 Report on Recommendations
10:30 to 11:30 Second Group Session
Discussion of welfare-to-work
What are the skills that individuals need to move from welfare
to work? How can we help?
11:30 Report from Groups, Summary, Next Steps, and Wrap Up
12:00 Lunch and Conversation
Sponsored by . . .
Top
Group Sessions
Morning Group Session - Retirees Helping Young People
Select a timekeeper, recorder, and facilitator
You will have magic markers, writing pads, and a flip chart
or butcher paper
1. Ice Breaker: Name, Where you Live, Where you were born, What
you enjoy in your leisure time.
2. Begin: Share a humorous incident or touching story about
someone who played an important role in your work life. (2 minutes
each)
3. Question: What are the skills that young people must have
to enter the work force? Initially go around the table so that
everyone has a chance to offer their words of wisdom. (15-20
minutes)
4. Prioritize: Choose five of your favorite ideas (5-10 minutes)
Write five ideas on the Flip Chart
5. How can retirees help young people prepare for the work force?
Remember. . . brainstorming, means that all ideas are acceptable.
Initially go around the table so that everyone has a chance
to offer their words of wisdom. (20-25 minutes)
6. Prioritize: Choose five of your favorite ideas (5-10 minutes)
Write five ideas on the Flip Chart
Afternoon Session: Understanding Welfare-to-Work
1. Brainstorming: How can retirees help with welfare to work?
Remember. . . brainstorming, means that all ideas are acceptable.
Initially go around the table so that everyone has a chance
to offer their words of wisdom. (30-40 minutes)
2. Prioritize: Choose five of your favorite ideas (5-10 minutes)
Write five ideas on the Flip Chart
3. Publicity: How do you reach other retirees to help with work
force preparation and welfare to work? (15 min.)
Top
|
