The mission of Native Workforce services at the Phoenix Indian Center, Inc. is to promote educational and economic growth, enhance individual competitiveness in the workforce and enrich personal self-sufficiency among the urban Native American community.
The vision is to promote the Native American Community to achieve the highest degree of quality employment and education. Additionally, continue to recognize and understand cultural diversity, while maintaining economic and social self-sufficiency.
What is Native Workforce Services (NWS)
In conjunction with the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998, Native Workforce Services provides employment and training activities to Indian, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians with the following priorities:
1. to develop more fully the academic, occupational and literacy skills of Native individuals;
2. to make these individuals more competitive in the workforce; and
3. to promote the economic and social development of Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities in accordance with the goals and values of those communities.
Funds received to provide employment and training services come from the US Dept. of Labor, Div. of Indian & Native American Programs. Our current service area is Maricopa County, off reservation. Interested individuals who live on nearby reservations should contact their tribal WIA program for employment and training services.
Tribal WIA Programs [pdf]
Locally, Native Workforce Services works with the City of Phoenix and Maricopa County in the One-Stop system. This system is a partnership with a variety of workforce service agencies. Information on One-Stop services in Maricopa Co. is found at http://www.maricopaworkforceconnection.com and at http://phoenix.gov/PHXWIN/index.html for the City of Phoenix.
How can Native Workforce Services help me?
The following services are available through Native Workforce Services. Program activities focus on supporting our customers to reach their education, employment and training goals:
1. Job placement & employment counseling
2. Follow-up after job placement
3. Skill upgrading - subsidized employment
4. On-the-job training
5. Student allowance program
6. Spirit of Success (S.O.S.) classes
What is the Spirit of Success or (S.O.S.) program?
The S.O.S. Program is a job readiness seminar session held on site on a daily basis (1-4 days) at the Phoenix Indian Center, Inc. to promote positive personal action in decision making and establishing career training, job search techniques and personal development. All class instruction and materials are provided to the classroom participants and formatted to achieve positive results.
How can NWS help me get work experience?
* W.E.P.
The W.E.P. Program activity is a short term employment with public or private employers that will enable the participant to become better qualified and improve his/her skills for advancements. Program provides salary.
* Classroom Training (CRT)
The current CRT activity provides incentive allowances to eligible students in post-secondary schools. The student must be in their final semester, in good academic standing, show a financial need and qualified for graduation. NWS may assist with tuition supplement, book purchase and/or transportation. Other support services are available as needed.
* Job Search
Counseling is provided to assist participants to identify permanent employment in the local labor force. As needed, participants may be assisted with transportation, tools, uniforms, and/or other work related items.
How do I apply for services?
Workforce Services Information and Required Documents
What is the "Resource Room"?
This is an area where computers are set up with Internet access and a printer that is available for on-line job search, résumé development and to obtain information on the local job market. To use the Resource Room, you must sign in at the NWS Reception Desk and receive a "Guest" badge and assignment to a specific PC. There is no charge for the service but we do ask that you allow others to use the Resource Room if there is a waiting list. Other services available may include copying résumés and/or faxing job applications as needed. "Absolutely no outside diskettes can be used in the Resource Room."
How does Native Workforce Services work with Employers?
To assist local employers in recruiting qualified Native Americans we post all job listings received daily by mail, fax, phone and email. Employers also maintain direct contact with the Workforce Specialist to provide information on hiring needs, procedures and economic conditions affecting a particular industry. As needed, "On-the-Job" training contracts are developed with companies to allow potential employees to enhance and upgrade their job skills.
Employer representatives are invited to make presentations to job readiness classes. Individuals attending the classes receive industry specific information and, on occasion, are able to submit applications for available positions. Company Human Resource representatives also may assist with mock interviews of class members.
The local business community is the key link to employment opportunities for NWS customers. Businesses are encouraged to contact us for further information on developing strong working partnerships.
