by oneforthebooks | Blog
Employees who fit in well with their company culture stay longer than those who don’t. Hiring for cultural fit can be one of the smartest strategies for boosting productivity and reducing employee turnover. Finding someone whose values match the company culture is just as important as choosing the candidate with the right skills. So how can a hiring manager figure out whether or not a person will fit?
Define Your Core Values Before You Begin Recruiting
Before you begin recruiting for a new position, you must have a strong understanding of your company’s core values. The term “company culture” is a way of describing how workers behave and interact with each other as a group. It is influenced by many factors, including your company’s values, policies, and style of leadership. Begin by assessing your own company culture and coming up with a list of qualities that are shared by the members of your team.
Company Culture and Employee Retention
If you put on a pair of shoes that are too small for your feet, the pain you feel will lead you to kick them off pretty quickly. When a company hires a team member who doesn’t fit, both sides tend to feel the pain, so the relationship is often short lived. That is why hiring for cultural fit is so important for long-term retention. Recent studies show that 70% of workers would decline a job opportunity, and around half have left a job due to poor culture fit.Here are 4 tips on how to avoid that problem by effectively evaluating how well job seekers match your values.
1. Look for signs of cultural fit before you meet face to face.
Emails and phone conversations reveal a lot about whether a person will fit with your company culture. Look and listen for signs of character and temperament. These signals can indicate whether the candidate is likely to match your culture and the demands of the job.
For example, if your company values enthusiasm and you are hiring for a receptionist job that requires a cheery demeanor, listen for signs of optimism and positive energy in their voice and in their word choices. Emails can reveal whether a candidate pays great attention to detail (proofreading really counts). If your office values professionalism and you are are hiring for an Administrative Assistant position that requires excellent communication skills—do they show those qualities verbally and in writing?
2. Ask the right interview questions.
Before the interview, identify which of your core values will be absolutely critical for success in the position you are hiring for. Ask questions during the interview that will help you evaluate the candidate on those specific values.
For example, manufacturers often need workers who are proven team players. Teamwork is a core value that people must hold in order to succeed in many assembly line jobs. Even though you have their work experience written on a resume—during the interview process focus on questions about teamwork and look for details. Ask them to tell you a story about a time when teamwork contributed to their own personal growth. A story can reveal a lot about their approach to teamwork.
3. Bring job seekers in for a working interview.
The working interview is growing in popularity because this arrangement gives both employers and job seekers a chance to see how well they work together without making a long-term commitment. A working interview is when a candidate works a shift, typically between 4 and 8 hours, before the client decides whether or not to let you have the assignment. This is an opportunity to see a candidate’s personality and find out how well they interact with other team members while testing their skills in action.
4. A staffing agency can help.
At Friday Services, we have 35 years of experience matching candidates and employers. We have found that if it doesn’t work for both, it isn’t going to work. Our mission is to bring the right person to the right job every time. We have found that listening is one of the most important skills to finding a candidate that fits an employer’s company culture. We listen to employers to find out about your values, and the things that matter most to you most. We listen to employees to find out what kind of work environment they are looking for, to help set them up for success. Contact the Friday Services team if you need help finding the right candidate for your job.
Sources
https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikaandersen/2012/04/25/the-most-important-reason-people-fail-in-a-new-job/
https://roundpegg.com/culture-research/culture-fit-reduces-turnover
https://www.idealcandidate.com/why-job-fit-matters-how-to-reduce-turnover-by-assessing-cultural-fit
by oneforthebooks | Blog
Manufacturing jobs offer good pay and interesting work, but few women are applying. When you think of women working at factory jobs, do you picture Rosie the Riveter? The image of the woman in a kerchief with a flexed bicep may be out of date, but her message is as true today as it was in the 1940s. Manufacturers need to hire more women—and yes, you CAN do it. As the economy strengthens, manufacturers are adding new jobs all the time. Baby Boomers are starting to retire in greater numbers now and industrial employers have a growing need to hire skilled workers.
Whether you are interested in hands on work, such as machine operator jobs, or professional engineering positions, there are many excellent career opportunities in manufacturing today for women with the right skills and experience. The Friday Services team has helped many women get great jobs in manufacturing right here in Western North Carolina.
Why More Women Should Consider Industrial Careers
Jobs in manufacturing offer higher wages and more opportunities for career growth than many other types of employment. Despite the potential rewards, the numbers show us that too few women are interested in production jobs. To remain competitive in the global marketplace, American manufacturers know they must recruit more female workers.
Today, women make up over half of the national labor pool, but only about 24% of the manufacturing workforce. Local numbers are about the same. Last year 26% of Friday Services manufacturing employees were female.
In 2013 Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute conducted a survey to better understand why so few women seem to be interested in industrial careers today—and to find out what they can do to attract more female applicants. They found that outdated ideas about factory work are a big part of the problem. Rosie the Riveter was created to encourage women to get jobs in manufacturing—could it be that today she discourages them? During World War II many women took jobs building planes, weaponry, and other types heavy equipment to fill in for the men who were fighting overseas. Photographs from that era, of real life Rosies doing heavy labor in dirty environments, are some of the only images of women doing factory work we see. Manufacturing has come a long way since the 1940’s. Today’s production facilities are more likely to be high tech environments. Many of today’s factory jobs require knowledge of mathematics and computers. In 2015, instead of working as a riveter, Rosie would be more likely to have a CNC Machine Operator job. Don’t let the old stereotypes of yesterday keep you away from a well paid, fulfilling job today.
What Real Women in Manufacturing Think About Their Jobs
When Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute interviewed women in manufacturing they asked them what they liked best about their careers. Over 75% of the women who responded said that they found their jobs “interesting and rewarding.” Women also cited a high pay rate as a reason to begin a manufacturing career, as well as the challenging nature of the work. Groups like Women in Manufacturing have sprung up all over the U.S. to combat out of date notions about the manufacturing industry, and to get out the message that there are amazing career opportunities for women available right now.
Interested? Learn How to Start a Manufacturing Career
If you are looking for a new career and have been unsure about whether or not a job in manufacturing is right for you, the Friday Services team will be happy to help. A good place to start is to read our previous blog 4 Community College Programs that Can Help You Get Good Jobs Now to find out about local schools that can teach you the skills you’ll need to start a career in manufacturing.
You can also get a sense for what it is like to work in a manufacturing environment by working in an entry-level position. Many entry-level factory jobs do not require a college degree, and you can gain valuable work experience while you explore possible career paths in industry. Our employment agency fulfills the staffing needs of many local industrial employers. We may be able to place you in job opportunities offered by manufacturers in Asheville, Fletcher, Hendersonville and other cities right here in Western North Carolina. If you are ready to start right away, submit an online application. One of our experienced Staffing Generalists will then call you to discuss the type of job that would be right for your interests, skills, and experience.
by oneforthebooks | Blog
These days, employers consider much more than resumes when making hiring decisions. A national survey conducted by CareerBuilder in 2014 found that 43% of the employers they polled check the social media profiles of job applicants, including Facebook, Twitter, and other outlets. If you’re job hunting, you’ll want to check your accounts to see how you’re representing yourself online. To help, we offer some tips for evaluating your social media presence, and some steps you can take to make sure your online reputation enhances your professional image.
Are Your Social Media Profiles Job Search Friendly?
Look at your social media profiles through the eyes of prospective employers. What do you see when you search for yourself on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or any other social media sites you use? If you wouldn’t hire yourself, then an employer won’t either.
The CareerBuilder survey indicated that 51% of employers made the decision not to hire candidates because of negative things they found online, including:
- Alcohol abuse or illegal drug use
- Rude or profane language
- Negative comments about employers or coworkers
- Poor grammar and misspelled words
- Lying about an absence or job qualifications
The bottom line is that social media posts that show a lack of integrity, a bad attitude, or demonstrate poor communication skills may damage your chances of getting hired. Remember that the things you say and do online reflect your character (just as they do in person). If you wouldn’t want an employer to see it—then take it off your profile. And be mindful about what you share. You may think that your social media accounts are personal and private and that anyone who isn’t your friend or follower can’t see your information. That is often not the case. Check your privacy settings to see how much of your content is being shared outside of your circle of friends and family. Be mindful of what you share online. Think of anything that you post as public information.
Be Positive!
Have you heard that old saying that if you don’t have anything nice to say—then don’t say anything at all? You might want to follow this advice on social media while you are on your job search. Posts that criticize your current boss, co-workers, or customers, are likely to be seen as signs that you are not a team player. Employers are typically looking to hire employees with positive attitudes who will represent them well. Constant complaints reflect poorly on a candidate’s ability to work well with others. This may be particularly important if you are looking for job that requires good people skills, such as an administrative assistant, customer service representative, or receptionist position. If you can’t present a positive attitude about your own life and job online then how can a potential employer count on you to be upbeat, polite, and helpful in person?
How Social Media Can Help You In Your Job Search
The good news is that your presence on social media can actually help you land the job you want. The same CareerBuilder poll showed that 29% of the managers they surveyed said they had hired candidates in part because they were impressed by something they found on a social media profile.
Impress potential employers by using your online accounts to tell the story of your personal, educational, and professional accomplishments. Share posts that highlight your creativity, positive attitude, great communication skills or any other assets that might impress a recruiter or hiring manager. To read more tips, take a look at our Social Media & Your Job Search resource, which offers job seekers advice on the best ways to use your online profiles to your advantage.
by oneforthebooks | Blog
Did the typo in the title of this blog catch your attention? A mistake on your resume is just as likely to be noticed by an employer or recruiter. If you are applying for an office position, that typo probably means you won’t be considered for the job. At Friday Services, we have decades of experience hiring candidates for office jobs throughout Western North Carolina. To help you increase your chances of getting hired in a clerical job, we’ll offer some expert resume advice to help you avoid this mistake—as well as a few others.
1. Always ask another person to edit your resume before you send it out.
Everyone makes mistakes, but failing to have someone edit your resume before giving it to an employer shows carelessness. Punctuation and spelling errors are red flags to recruiters. If you are applying for a detail oriented clerical job, such as an administrative assistant position, a typo on your resume means you will definitely not be getting a call back.
2. Adjust each resume to be specific to the job you are applying for.
Don’t send the same resume to everyone. Target your resume to the needs of each individual employer. Read the description of the job you are applying for carefully. Note the keywords that are are used in the job title and the list of required skills and experiences. A hiring manager will be looking for those keywords to find the exact person they want to hire. A specific resume is always much more impressive than a generic one. If the job posting is for a bookkeeper position that requires “advanced proficiency with Quickbooks and Excel,” then your resume should list examples of your experience with those specific programs.
3. Your objective statement should be tailored to the needs of the employer.
Employers may review hundreds of resumes when hiring for one position. Catch the recruiter’s attention with a stand out objective statement. In a sentence or two, show employers that your skills and experience match the requirements of the position. Don’t just say that hiring you would benefit the company. Tell them how!
Example: Seeking a Customer Service Representative position that will enable me to deliver outstanding client experiences using my strong communication skills and ability to work well with people.
4. The contact information on your resume must be up to date.
Office jobs require excellent communication skills and attention to detail. One out of date phone number or email on your resume can wreck your chances of getting a job. You would be surprised to hear how many times we call back a job applicant only to find the phone number on the resume is wrong or no longer in service.
5. Don’t make jokes or put irrelevant information on your resume.
Don’t put irrelevant statements such as, “married for 12 years,” “skilled Xbox gamer,” or “proud parent of three cats” on your resume. Unrelated information about your personal life can be distracting and create an impression that you are not serious about the job.
6. Keep a list of every company you send a resume to.
Keep a detailed list of every single employer you submit a resume to. “Who is this?” is not the response you want to give to a hiring manager who calls to offer you a job interview. If you are applying for several jobs at once, create a spreadsheet that lists all the jobs you have applied to. Including the name of the employer, the job title, the date you applied, and the names of anyone you have spoken to about the job.
7. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
At Friday Services, our mission is to bring the right person to the right job every time. We offer job seekers resume writing tips and other resources to help you be your best, so you can get the right job when it comes along. If have already prepared your resume and are ready to begin searching for the right position, take a look at the clerical jobs we are hiring for today or apply online.
by oneforthebooks | Blog
Have you ever heard the saying that if you find a job you love you’ll never work a day in your life? It is a nice thought, but it works out about as often as finding, “love at first sight.” Very few people are born knowing what career path will be perfect for them. Looking for the right career can sometimes be like looking for love. You’ve got to put yourself out there (and you may need to try dating a few jobs before you marry one). This Valentine’s Day season, you owe it to yourself to find the right career. If you still haven’t found what you are looking for (jobwise, that is) here are four things you can do to help you find a career that will be right for you.
1. Volunteer.
Volunteering is a great way of trying out new types of work without making long-term commitments to any one job. When you volunteer, you can feel good about helping people in your community while learning new job skills and gaining new kinds of work experience to put on your resume. Volunteering can actually help you transition to a new kind of work. If you’ve been waiting tables for years, but are interested in switching to an office job, it may be difficult to get your foot in the door without relevant experience. Find a volunteer opportunity that allows you to work as a receptionist to build your clerical skills and show employers you’ve got what it takes to succeed in this type of job.
No matter what type of position you plan on applying for, volunteering can give you an edge. Recent research conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service has shown that volunteers are more likely to get hired over non-volunteers.
2. Research Careers Online.
There are several helpful online resources you can use to discover and research new careers. One of the best we have found is O*Net OnLine, a website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Employment & Training Administration. You can use this site to research occupations in any type of industry and learn about the skills and knowledge you will need to get to succeed in those careers.
O*Net also offers projections of job growth so you can see how many job opportunities you might find in the future. This is very helpful if you have to commit to going back to go to school, and want to make sure you’ll be able to get a job when you are finished. For instance O*Net projects that there are expected to be many jobs openings for CNC Machine Operators in the future, as employer demand for that occupation is growing at a very fast rate. If you start now to earn a CNC programming certificate or your associates degree or diploma in computer-integrated machining, your chances of getting a good job when you graduate are very high.
3. Take Classes.
School can do more than give you the education you’ll need to qualify for a new job. Taking a class can be a way of finding out if you really want to commit to a career in a new field. Luckily, Western North Carolina is home to lots of great schools. The continuing education programs at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Blue Ridge Community College, Western Piedmont Community College, and Haywood Community College all offer occupational training classes, many of which are low cost or even free.
Some community college courses are designed to give students an overview of many occupations available in a single field. For instance, the Medical Office Pathways class at AB Tech will give you an introduction to several types of clerical jobs available in medical offices. If you take that class and discover you are interested in electronic medical record software, you can enroll in a follow up class to be come a certified Electronic Health Record Specialist.
4. We Can Help Put You on the Right Career Path
At Friday Services, we’ve been helping people find jobs they love in Western North Carolina for 35 years. Our mission has always been to bring the right people to the right job every time. Our staffing experts know the job market and what local employers are looking for. We get to know our applicants and try to place each person in jobs that are suited for their skills and abilities. We will be happy to share our expertise with you, and help place you in a job on the career path you want to be on. Read our job listings to see an overview of the opportunities available in Asheville, Hendersonville, Morganton, Fletcher, Arden and all surrounding areas. If you see a job you are interested in, apply online. If you are looking for a job you can love this Valentine’s Day season, we can help.
by oneforthebooks | Blog
Some of the best paying jobs in Western North Carolina today are in manufacturing. You don’t need to have factory experience or a 4-year degree to begin a career in manufacturing. Many entry-level factory jobs are open to anyone over the age of 18 who has good character references and a high school diploma or GED. Here are a few suggestions for things you can do while you are still in high school to increase your chances of getting hired into a good job once you graduate.
Build a List of Good References
You should never list family members, friends, or people you know casually but have never worked with as references on a resume or job application. Think of other people in your life that have seen you demonstrate the qualities that would make you a good employee. Here are a few suggestions for people who would make excellent references:
- Teachers. A shop or vocational teacher would be the perfect reference for a manufacturing job, though other types of teachers will be helpful too. Building good relationships with teachers shows you are able to learn and be responsible in a structured environment.
- Sports coaches. Participating in school sports shows that you are willing to work hard, put in an effort, and dedicate yourself to a team.
- Volunteer supervisors. If you have any volunteer experience, make sure to put that on your resume. Donating your time and talents to local groups that serve your community demonstrates responsibility. A good relationship with your volunteer supervisor shows that you were committed to the task.
- Work supervisors. At the very beginning of your career, any type of work experience will be helpful on your resume, even if it not manufacturing work. Building a good relationship with a work supervisor shows you were dependable and hard working.
Take Technical Vocational Classes
You do not have to go to a vocational school to get a good job in a factory, though you will be eligible for better jobs if you can put that on your resume. Higher skilled workers are typically able to get higher paying jobs. If you can list that you took an introduction to machining class, or any other industrial and technical skills class—you will stand out among the other candidates for those types of jobs, even if you have no job experience.
Here in Western North Carolina, there are plenty of opportunities for high school students to begin learning the skills necessary to succeed in manufacturing. At both AB-Tech and Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC), high school juniors and seniors can begin one of the Career and Technical Education Pathways through the Career and College Promise program.
In the BRCC Career and Technical Education Pathways program high school students can earn a certificates in several programs that can lead to great jobs in manufacturing including:
- Computer-Integrated Machining
- Electronics Engineering Technology
- Mechatronics Engineering Technology
- Welding Technology
High schoolers who participate in the AB-Tech Career-Technical Pathways program—can earn a:
- Machining Technologies Diploma
- Basic Welding Certificate
- Industrial Maintenance Certificate
You will not only develop skills that will help you be more successful by earning these certificates, you will also demonstrate to potential employers that you have drive and ambition. And eligible students do not have to pay tuition to participate in these programs.
Get Good Advice
Find mentors who can help you figure out the best career pathway for you. Teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors can answer many of your questions. If possible, try to talk to people who work in manufacturing or who have experience in the industry. At Friday Services we have been helping workers at all stages of their careers find work in manufacturing right here in Western North Carolina. Our list of local job opportunities can show you some of the positions that local manufacturers are hiring for. Read the job descriptions carefully to see what kinds of skills are required to succeed in those jobs. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. It is never too early to begin thinking about the kind of job you want, and the practical steps you will need to take to get hired.
by oneforthebooks | Blog
12 Great Job Fair Tips: How to Show Employers the Right Stuff
You have 7 seconds to make a good first impression with an employer at a job fair. If you show the right stuff you are much more likely to land the job you want. So what’s the right stuff? A little advice from our employment specialists at Friday Services can help you make the most of those first 7 seconds!
As Western North Carolina’s leading staffing agency, we have been to a lot of local job fairs. Just this month the Friday Services team talked to over 300 job seekers at the Asheville Regional Chamber of Commerce Homecoming Job Fair at the WNC Ag Center. We’ve seen good examples of what works and what doesn’t. To help you in your own employment search, we’ll share with you some of our top tips on how to impress employers at job fairs and boost your chances of getting hired.
1. Do your research before the job fair and make a plan.
Find out which employers are going to be at the fair before the event (this is usually posted online). Pick the ones you want to work for and do some research about those companies. On the day of the job fair, find those employers’ booths first. Be ready to give recruiters specific reasons why you want to join their teams.
2. Have a sales pitch ready to go.
Before the day of the event, prepare a 15 to 30 second sales pitch that tells employers who you are and why they should hire you. If you were stuck in an elevator with the person making the hiring decisions, what would you tell them? As you talk to different employers, change the pitch to be specific to the job that is being offered. Include info about any relevant educational achievements, skills, and job experiences that make you qualified for the job they are hiring for.
3. Bring a bag, satchel, or briefcase with you.
You’ll have a neat place to carry your resumes. Your hands will be free—so you can shake hands easily. And you will have a place to store brochures and business cards that will help you remember something about each employer.
4. Bring plenty of resumes.
Make sure that you have lots of up-to-date copies of your resume to hand to employers. Recruiters typically talk to hundreds of job seekers during fairs. If you don’t have a resume, chances are you won’t be remembered. A resume also allows an employer to glance over your experience and find out right away if you might be a good fit for their company. Make sure your resume is clean and unwrinkled. Handing out a crumpled piece of paper can be worse than having no resume at all (because it gives an bad impression of you they will definitely remember).
5. Have several different versions of your resume ready to go.
If you are looking for jobs in different industries, or for jobs that require different skillsets in the same industry—prepare several resumes, one that is specific to each type of job you want to apply for. A specific resume is much more impressive than a generic one.
For example, if you have done a variety of clerical jobs create a resume for each type of job you have experience in: a customer service resume, an administrative assistant resume, a data entry resume, a call center resume…etc. Don’t tell recruiters you have prepared different resumes, just hand out the most appropriate resume for the type of job that employer is offering.
6. Smile, make eye contact and offer a firm handshake.
It’s not just what you say that makes an impression. Employers are more likely to think that you are friendly, interested, and self-confident if you shake hands, smile, and make good eye contact.
7. Keep each conversation short and sweet.
Don’t talk longer than you have to when you talk to a recruiter. Make your pitch and then move on. Be polite, and don’t talk about anything other than the company and the job that they are hiring for. Don’t talk about your personal life or anything other than the job.
8. Dress appropriately.
Don’t dress too casually. You might be the most qualified person at the career fair for a particular job, but if you don’t look like you are taking things seriously, then the employer will not take you seriously. The woman at the job fair wearing her pajamas will not be remembered for her skills or experience. Don’t overdress either (the man in the tuxedo is just as out of place as the person in the PJs). Business casual is usually a safe choice for clothing. Generally, for men that means black or khaki pants (no jeans) and a collared shirt. For women, that usually means dress pants or a knee-length skirt and a blouse or collared shirt.
9. Don’t wear too much cologne or perfume.
Strong odors will make you memorable for the wrong reasons (for this same reason you should also avoid smoking before or during the event).
10. Don’t send someone else to hand out resumes for you.
Chances are strong that the man who sent his wife to the job fair with a stack of his resumes did not get a job.
11. Make sure the phone number on your resume is the right one!
If an employer tries to call you back and the person who answers says, “wrong number,” you are not getting a job. Also a “cell phone is no longer in service” message looks bad. If you have an old number on a resume and don’t have time to print new copies, cross out the old number and write the new one in. Try to avoid this if at all possible!
12. Keep a record of every company you give resumes to at the job fair.
If you gave out 50 resumes at the job fair then you should be ready to get up to 50 phone calls in return. Of course it is doubtful you will hear from every employer you spoke to, but it is better to be prepared. Make sure you keep a list of every single employer you gave a resume to so you can know who might be calling you back. “Who is this?” is not the response you want to give to someone who wants to offer you a job interview.
If you have the time, take a notebook and write down the name of the person you spoke with and their job title. Take notes about the job or the company. That information can help you make a better impression during interviews too!
We hope these tips help you prepare for and achieve more success at your next job fair. If we missed seeing you at the recent fair, or if you are simply on the job hunt, it is not too late to apply for placement with Friday Services. We are always looking for candidates to place in professional, administrative, industrial, and technical jobs right here in Western North Carolina. Take a look at some of the local job opportunities we are seeking candidates for, or apply online today.
by oneforthebooks | Blog
Last week, President Obama announced he wants to make the first two years of community college free for students who “are willing to work for it.” His America’s College Promise proposal would provide government funding to pay community college tuition for students who maintain a 2.5 GPA. Reactions to the plan have been divided and no one knows if Obama’s proposal will be passed by congress. Though the future of the President’s free tuition plan is unknown, there is no doubt that education is the key to getting good jobs in today’s economy.
Community colleges are teaching workers valuable skills that employers are looking for right now. A community college education can be a bridge to a better job. Right here in Western North Carolina, manufacturing is one of the industries that employ the most workers in our region. The occupational training and academic programs available at AB Tech and Blue Ridge Community College are giving students the specialized training and knowledge they need to succeed in manufacturing careers.
At Friday Services, we have developed relationships with our local community colleges, students, and employers. Our employment agency helps community college graduates build successful careers in a variety of industries, including manufacturing. We’ve seen firsthand the difference that education and good jobs can make for people. If you are considering going back to school to begin a new career or improve your job prospects—don’t wait. Here are four local community college programs that can help you begin a successful new career in manufacturing:
Computer Integrated Machining
The Computer Integrated Machining Technology programs available at AB Tech and Blue Ridge Community college can help you learn the skills you need to succeed in a variety of manufacturing jobs that involve machinery, computerized equipment, and robotics.
Currently in the Computer-Integrated Machining Technology Department at AB-Tech you can earn the following certificates or degrees:
Computer-Integrated Machining Technology Associate in Applied Science
- Computer-Integrated Machining Technology Diploma
- Basic Machining Certificate
- CNC Programming Certificate
- Fundamentals of Metals Certificate
At the Blue Ridge Community College Computer Integrating Machining program you can earn the following certificates and degrees:
Computer-Integrated Machining Associate in Applied Science
- Computer-Integrated Machining Diploma
- Computer-Integrated Machining Certificate: CNC Turning Operator
- Computer-Integrated Machining Certificate: CNC Milling Operator
- Computer-Integrated Machining: Certificate: Machinist
- Computer-Integrated Machining: Certificate: Engine Machine Shop
- Basic Machining Certificate
The type of certification or degree you earn will determine the type of job you may be eligible for. A list of some of the industrial jobs these programs prepare workers for includes: CNC Machinist, Machine Operator, Mechanical Assembler and Mechanical Engineering Technician.
Mechatronics
The Mechatronics program at Blue Ridge Community College offers a variety of tracks you can take to learn the skills and earn the certifications you will need to succeed in several types of manufacturing careers including electrical, mechanical, computer, and industrial engineering. Tracks include:
- AutoCAD
- Machining
- Certified Production Technician (MSSC)
- Manufacturing Production Technician (CPTAE)
- Certified Logistics Technician (MSSC)
Industrial Systems Technology
AB Tech offers an Industrial Systems Technology program that teaches the required skills for jobs that involve installing, inspecting, repairing, and maintaining industrial equipment. You can either earn your Associate’s Degree or Basic Maintenance Certificate. The skills and knowledge you would gain through this program will help make you eligible for Industrial Maintenance Technician jobs.
Mechanical Design Technology
When you earn your Associate’s degree, Diploma, or Pre-Engineering Certificate in the Mechanical Engineering Technology department at Blue Ridge Community College you show employers that you have mastered basic engineering principles and the necessary technical skills to design, develop, test, and troubleshoot projects involving mechanical systems. AB Tech also offers a Mechanical Engineering Technology program in which you can earn your Associate’s Degree or an Automation & Robotics Certificate.
The knowledge and experience you would gain from either of these programs could prepare you for a variety of occupations, including Mechanical Engineering Technician jobs, Quality Control Technician jobs, Material Testing Technician jobs, and Research Technician jobs.
Why Waiting to Go Back to School Could Cost You Money
If you are ready to improve your job prospects now, don’t wait for a new government program that might pay your tuition. You could actually cost yourself money if you delay going back to school. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that workers who have earned Associates Degrees make more money than those who only have high school diplomas or GEDs.
If you are not sure whether or not you can afford the cost of tuition—talk to your local community college about financial aid. According to the American Association of Community Colleges 58% of all students who are attending community colleges right now are receiving some type of financial aid including a mix of federal grants and loans, state aid, and funding from the school.
by oneforthebooks | Blog
Do you have a New Year’s resolution to find a new job? Whether you are looking for a different job in your field or a completely new career now is the perfect time to make a move. Switching jobs can be a stressful experience, but help is available! If you are ready to make a job change right now, you may want to consider getting the support of a staffing service. A job with a staffing agency will allow you to earn a paycheck while giving you the opportunity to:
- Explore new career options
- Gain valuable work experience
- Learn new skills
- Build relationships in a new industry
The flexibility offered by employment through a staffing agency can help you determine for yourself which career path will be right for you. You can try out several types of jobs in a new field without making long-term commitments. Plus, you will have a team of staffing specialists helping you figure out your career path.
Friday Services Offers Help to Job Seekers in Western North Carolina
At Friday Services our mission is to bring the right worker to the right job every time. We take your job skills, experience, and interests into account when thinking about what kind of placement might be right for you. We may be able to suggest a job to you that you haven’t thought about before, and then give you an opportunity to try that job out. For example, manufacturing is a growing sector of our economy and industrial employers are offering a lot of good jobs with tremendous growth potential. If you have been interested in beginning a career in manufacturing but haven’t known where to begin, we can help you get an entry-level factory job that will give you the experience you need to advance.
If you know you need to go back to school to achieve greater success in the future, we can help by placing you in a job that will allow you to support your family while you take the time to complete your education or earn certifications. For instance, if you are interested in becoming a CNC Machinist but have not had the necessary training yet, we may be able to place you in another type of Machine Operator position with a local manufacturer. In this case you would gain valuable manufacturing work experience while going to school to earn your CNC Programming Certificate.
A Staffing Job Can Be a Bridge to a Permanent Placement
A job placement through a staffing agency may turn into a permanent position. We can’t guarantee that will happen, but it is a possibility. As the economy has grown stronger and more employers have added jobs, we have seen a rise in the numbers of our workers who are getting offered permanent positions. In fact, the percentage of workers who have gotten permanent employment through our staffing agency increased 135% between 2008 and 2014.
Next Steps: An Action Plan for Getting a New Job in 2015
You can start finding a new job right now by filling out our online employment application. Once you have submitted your application, one of our staffing experts will contact you within 24 business hours to begin discussing your options. If you have any questions about working with a staffing agency you can call us at 828-684-8700.
We will also have a booth at Asheville’s 9th annual Homecoming Job Fair on January 7th at the Davis Event Center at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher. Stop by to talk to us about your career goals for 2015! Our staffing agency has proudly served Western North Carolina clients and employees in the industrial, technical, and professional industries for almost 35 years. Let our experienced staff help you too.
by oneforthebooks | Blog
How the ACA Might Impact the Employees and Clients of Friday Services
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), the comprehensive healthcare reform law often referred to as “Obamacare,” is impacting all health insurance providers, employers, and individuals across the United States today. The effects of the ACA are being widely discussed right now as the open enrollment period for government sponsored health insurance began on November 15, 2014 and will end on February 15, 2015.
Many individuals and companies have asked us how the ACA affects Friday Services, our employees, and our clients. Under the new law, employers must provide the opportunity for employees to buy medical insurance or pay a penalty per employee. We offer an affordable medical insurance plan to our employees that satisfies the requirements of the ACA for 2015.
You May Have to Pay a Fee if You Don’t Have Health Insurance
You should be aware that, under the ACA, the government will penalize certain individuals who do not sign up for insurance coverage (either through their employers or through the Health Insurance Marketplace). As with any government program, there are rules and exemptions. You can find information about those rules and exemptions at healthcare.gov. However, it appears that, under the law, most U.S. citizens and legal residents will have to either pay for health insurance or pay a penalty to the government. If you don’t have coverage in 2015 you will have to pay a fee that is equal to the higher of two amounts: either 2% of your yearly household income or $325 per person. Friday Services employees who are enrolled in our medical insurance plan will not have to pay this penalty.
Staffing Agency Clients, Co-Employment Issues, and the ACA
By offering an affordable insurance plan Friday Services protects our clients from paying a penalty to the government for uninsured employees. You may think that because Friday Services is the employer, that we are solely responsible for providing insurance under the ACA. But there is a unique circumstance that applies to us and many other staffing agencies. There is a co-employment relationship between Friday Services and our clients. This is true for a variety of reasons, including the fact that we don’t provide direct supervision of our employees at our clients’ jobsites, our clients’ supervisors do.
In this type of co-employment relationship the government has ruled that if a staffing agency doesn’t take care of its legal obligations as an employer, then the client may be responsible. Wages are one example of a situation in which this could arise. If a staffing agency does not pay its employees then the client company (where the employee was placed) could be liable for the payroll. The same could be true for insurance under the ACA, although this has not yet been ruled on. It is possible that if a staffing agency does not provide affordable insurance to their employees then their clients might be liable for the penalty.
At Friday Services we are committed to serving our clients and our employees by acting as a responsible, ethical, and honest employer. We do provide affordable health insurance to our employees and will meet our obligations. We also vow that we will do anything we can to help clients address the new demands of the ACA.
Friday Services is Committed to Compliance with the ACA
Friday Services is a proud member of the American Staffing Association (ASA). The ASA and its members strongly support compliance with the Affordable Care Act and are committed to the legal and ethical management of our workforces pursuant to the law’s provisions. As a member of the ASA, Friday Services is committed to compliance with the Affordable Care Act, in letter and in spirit.
