Training module for Sudanese refugee educational coordinators in Omaha

Training Module for a Refugee Educational Coordinator with AmeriCorps

This training module has been prepared for the position of Refugee Educational Coordinator with AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps is an organization which offers individuals the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those around them by applying their skills and knowledge to help improve communities (www.americorps.gov). This training module is being prepared in order to assist Sudanese refugees, but can be adjusted and adapted for all refugees to this country. This module will promote and nurture the education of Sudanese refugees by tailoring courses of study based on individual need. The training module will focus on how to welcome new arrivals so that they can integrate into the social, employment and educational environments of the city of Omaha, Nebraska.

The Sudanese immigrant population is underrepresented in the state of Nebraska, but three cities (Lincoln, Omaha and Bellevue) have refugee settlement sites. Because the Sudanese are such a diverse group of people, they have many unmet needs related to skill acquisition and training (Willis and Fernald, 2004). In order for the Sudanese refugees to integrate into society and become productive citizens, they must be given a fair opportunity at education and training much the same as other refugees.

The training and development for this module will consist of English as a Second Language (ESL) courses as well as office automation classes. Students will be taught not only how to be proficient with computer software, but other skills such basic accounting, bookkeeping, internet research and other office skills to help them secure gainful employment. In addition, the refugees will be taught interviewing skills to gain employment in the private and public arena.

Job Description

The job description for the Refugee Employment Coordinator is listed below. The person applying for this position should be able to meet the basic requirements and have experience in this area. Applicants should meet at least the minimum requirements before applying.

Refugee Educational Coordinator Americorps Job Description

Host Site:

Lutheran Family Services

Location:

Omaha, NE

Position Title:

Refugee Educational Coordinator

Pay Grade:

Americorps Full Time

Reports to:

Americorps

Supervisor

Position Purpose: To develop training and placement employment opportunities for Sudanese refugees.

Essential Position Duties: The Refugee Educational Coordinator will be responsible for development training and placement opportunities with public or private employees or training institutions. The person holding this position will also monitor the implementation of an employment and training program. This position will also be responsible for coordinating, monitoring, planning, and analyzing employment and training program utilization and effectiveness. This position will report to Americorps supervisor and have the responsibility for managing para-professionals and clerical assistants.

Typical Work Activities:

Plans, negotiates and develops subcontracts with public or private employers as well as educational institution and employment and/or training participants.

Develops realistic jobs for clients which do not present artificial barriers to employment.

Monitors sub-grantee programs to ensure compliance with applicable codes and guidelines.

Make field visits to monitor program activities of agencies employing program participants.

Coordinates employer and agency efforts to analyze affirmative action and equal employment opportunity plans.

Matches job ready program clients with available jobs.

Establishes contact and maintains relationships with public and private employers.

Completes narrative as well as tabular records and reports necessary for compliance with federal and state rules, regulations, and policies.

Collects, compiles and interprets economic and demographic date to aid in Program plan formulation, as well as information utilized in the monitoring and evaluation of employment and training programs.

Assists in the development of and final preparation of grant plans and modifications.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Working knowledge of labor and poverty economics and concepts related to poverty and unemployment.

Ability to collect, organize and interpret information relating to employment and training.

Ability to seek out and develop jobs and/or training opportunities for clients.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Ability to understand working relationships with clients, government and labor groups.

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

A. Graduation from a regionally accredited New York State registered college or university with a bachelor's degree, or

B. (1) Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 60 semester credit hours in a regionally accredited or New York State registered two-year college and (2) years of full-time experience in job or Employment Program development and analysis, personnel counseling or placement, public or business administration, economics or labor relations, or related field, or

C. (1) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and (2) four years of full-time experience in the areas defined in (B); or

D. Six years of full-time experience in the areas defined in (B); or

E. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (a) through (D).

Note:

Post high school educational training in the areas defined in (a) can be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis. Individuals having neither a high school diploma nor a high school equivalency diploma must possess the full six years of required experience.

Training and Development

Before any of the Sudanese refugees can be taught training and development skills, their English language capacity must first be determined. Those who are extremely proficient will be able to move directly into the job training and development courses. Those who are proficient will have their English speaking and writing abilities tested and will first need to take English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. These classes are ten (10) weeks in length.

Once English proficiency has been established, the Sudanese refugees will move on to training and development as mentioned in the previous section. Once training and development courses are complete, the refugees will be taught basic interviewing skills. The training and development is designed to help the Sudanese refugees easily integrate into society while hopefully improving upon the English and job skills in order to become productive, economically independent citizens.

Given all that the refugees may face, this type of training is the beginning stages of them possibly furthering their education by going on to a junior college or even a four-year degree granting institution. Many companies now offered some form of tuition reimbursement for college courses, so the refugees can aspire to greater things and not stop at the training we are providing. They may use this training and development as a stepping stone to even bigger goals.

English as a Second Language

Level:

Adult

Subject:

English

Prepared by:

Overview & Purpose

English will be taught to those refugees who do not speak the language or to those who do not speak the language well enough to understand the training sessions.

Education Standards Addressed

This class will satisfy the ESL standards in Nebraska.

Teacher Guide

Student Guide

Objectives

To teach the English Language Learner how to communicate effectively by speaking, reading English.

Give students a simple verbal test at the beginning of class consisting of saying the English names for various pictures such as car, cat, dog, etc. This will help to determine the student's level.

Students will take the test given by the instructor and a guided, individual lesson plan will be developed based on the test results.

Information

This training program prepares students to perform clerical duties in an office support position. Emphasis is on using word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and databases.

The classes will be instructor led as well as online training. The training will consist of the very basics for each software package, increasing in difficulty until students reach an intermediate to advanced level.

Students must pass the basic computer navigation and internet research skills in order to proceed with the Microsoft Office software programs.

Verification

Students will be given a computerized cumulative test after each weekly module.

Instructors will administer a computer-based test on Microsoft Office. Based on the student's results, they are encouraged to sit for the Microsoft Office certification exams.

The students have the option of becoming Microsoft Office certified based on their classroom test, or they may retain a copy of their classroom test as proof of proficiency.

Activity

Instructor led training will be provided as well as computerized exercises. Students will have daily access to the computer labs to practice while not in class.

Instructors will teach students how to create and save documents, mail merges and other advanced Word techniques. They will learn how to create and save a spreadsheet and create formulas in Excel. They will be taught how to create professional looking presentations and they will learn to create databases.

Students will learn via hands on training. They will be given instructions and then allowed time to create assignments in class as well as on their own time.

Summary

Class size will be limited to10 students in order to give each individual the attention needed to complete the assigned tasks.

Once training is complete, students should be ready for certification.

Module Evaluation Questionnaire

Module Title:

English as a Second Language

Tutor:

Americorps seeks to continually improve it training and development for the Sudanese refugees. Please take a moment of your time to answer a few questions regarding the training program listed above. Please be honest in answering as this will provide guidance to us on what is working and what we need to improve on.

Please select only ONE answer for the following question:

1. Overall, how would you rate your satisfaction with the ESL courses?

____ Very satisfied

____ Satisfied

____ Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

____ Dissatisfied

____ Very dissatisfied

2. Would you recommend this training module to a non-English speaking friend?

____ Yes

No

3. Please list two things you liked about the course:

a)

b)

4. Please list two things you disliked about the course:

a)

b)

Module Title:

Microsoft Office Specialist

Tutor:

Americorps seeks to continually improve it training and development for the Sudanese refugees. Please take a moment of your time to answer a few questions regarding the training program listed above. Please be honest in answering as this will provide guidance to us on what is working and what we need to improve on.

1. Do you feel that you are at an intermediate or advanced level after completing this training?

____ Advanced

____ Intermediate

____ Lower Level

2. Do you feel the training you received will help you gain an office support position?

____ Yes

____ No

If no, please list the reason below:

3. Will you become a certified Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) after training?

____ Yes

____ No

Please explain your answer below:

4. Overall, how would you rate your satisfaction with the software training courses?

____ Very satisfied

____ Satisfied

____ Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

____ Dissatisfied

____ Very dissatisfied