CDO Workforce coordinates and focuses employment, training and education development resources across three counties, providing service to employed people, unemployed people and employers alike. Our goal is to improve the long-term growth and development of the work force.
CDO Workforce is launching a Pilot Project: Effective Use of Virtual Job Shadowing Software. We will be using virtual job shadowing software as one component of the Integrated Resource Team job placement and work experience activities. The pilot project will run until April 23rd to assess the effectiveness of the Virtual Job Shadowing on-line software program as a tool for young adults, ages 18-24, with disclosed disabilities.
The purpose of the software is to improve the knowledge, awareness and skills of participants related to career exploration, finding jobs, and job readiness skills. The goal of this project is to find out how the new Job Shadowing Software can be helpful for career exploration and job search; and to find out how employment counselors can use this software to better support those who are looking for work.
The software has been tested in many settings successfully. We hope to learn what tools serve youth and employment counselors and determine what strategies will support use and integration of VirtualJobShadow.com into career exploration at CDO.
Project Contacts: Alan Sessions or Kathy DeAngelo, 607-432-4800
Project Outcome Goals for CDO Staff:
>Strategies to successfully incorporate the Virtual Job Shadowing Software into CDO to improve services and supports to youth.
>Data, measurable impact from pre and post-assessment, and lessons learned gathered from both youth and employment counselor; based on the analysis of the data, recommend process to make sure the software can be successfully used by more youth.
Key Pilot Project Questions:
>Do youth improve their knowledge and awareness of careers, education and training, and job skills after completing Virtual Job Shadowing planned lessons and activities?
>Do youth and young adults identify a realistic career pathway after participating in the Virtual Job Shadowing pilot project? (Realistic= understanding of what education and training is needed; and career choice matches personal interests, talents, and goals.)
>Do the job shadowing software activities motivate or guide participants to further job search or job placement activities?
CDO Workforce is seeking 25 youth with disabilities, ages 18 – 24, for this pilot program, Youth should be open to career exploration assistance. Youth that are interested in the pilot should contact Alan Sessions at 607-432-4800 x 109 or e-mail: for more information.
Thank you in advance for your help!
About the author
Our goal is to help job seekers not just find a job, but develop and manage a career. That means helping them when they have a job and when they are looking. We also strive to help employers find the workers they need quickly and the resources to improve training, workforce retention and workforce restructuring.
A DRC is a Disability Resource Coordinator, someone who helps individuals with disabilities find employment.
High School Equivalency (HSE/GED) A high school equivalency or GED/HSE is a recognized alternative to a high school diploma.
Work-Based Learning (WBL) provides students and job seekers with real-life work experience that compliments their academic studies. Typically they include job shadowing, mentoring, internships, and apprenticeships.
A Team Helper is anyone who is the lead support person to the job seeker with disabilities along their career journey. It can be a family member, friend, employment counselor, Disability Resource Coordinator (DRC), or case manager.
A stop-gap job is temporary employment until something better or more permanent can be obtained.
Basic needs refers to the goods and services necessary for a minimum standard of living. This includes access to food, safe shelter, clothing, and sanitation. Reliable transportation and education can also be considered a basic need.
A safe space is intended to be free of bias, conflict, criticism, or potentially threatening actions, ideas, or conversations.
Competitive integrated employment (CIE) is work performed by a person with an impairment or health-related disability (health impairment) within an integrated setting. Wages are at least minimum wage or higher and at a rate comparable to non-disabled workers performing the same tasks.
For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education.