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The workforce program assessment is a fundamental tool in providing comprehensive services to a client by assessing their “program readiness.” For the Client Service Representative (CSR), the assessment is an opportunity to create rapport with the client while working with them to identify possible barriers to obtaining employment. For the client, the assessment process allows them to reflect upon their previous professional and personal experiences to define skills that will help them transition into employment.

All workforce programs have an assessment form that is required documentation in each client file. This form contains questions intended to assess a client’s work history, skills, interests and ability to achieve their employment goals. It is important for the CSR and the client to use these assessment questions as a basis for opening up a conversation about the client’s personal and professional life. For example, while filling out the assessment paperwork for a client interested in becoming a Certified Nursing Assistance (CNA), the CSR learns that the client:

• Has been unemployed for 1 year
• Scheduled to exhaust their unemployment benefits in one month
• Has a high school diploma
• Would like to work in the home health care field
• Has a 3 year old child
• Has a car but use public transportation because the car needs a new battery.

This information opens up the opportunity for the CSR to discuss with the client their childcare plan and financial security while they pursue their CNA, as well as share possible supportive services that can pay for a replacement car battery.

The goal of workforce programs is for program clients achieve employment and financial security. The information gathered in an assessment form help to guide the follow-up questions and discussions that a CSR will have with their program client. These assessment discussions help to determine the “readiness” of a client to begin and successfully complete a program or training.