A Community-Based System Dynamics Study of the Senior Community Service Employment Program

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the only federal workforce-training program that targets older adults, engages people aged 55 years and older with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level with multiple barriers to employment. This study examined SCSEP’s role in participant financial, physical, and mental well-being. To do so, we held five sessions (four virtual, one telephone) over a combined nine hours in August and September 2020 using a form of participatory research called community-based system dynamics with 15 Massachusetts SCSEP participants and case managers. Through structured activities, respondents identified how program, policy, and organizational factors influence and are influenced by participant well-being (e.g., SCSEP participation results in less social isolation, decreased isolation subsequently increases desire to participate) as well as program and policy recommendations to strengthen the program (e.g., reconsider benchmarks of success). These findings highlight the benefits and potential of this long-running program.

Kebijakan Program Kartu Prakerja Dalam Mengurangi Pengangguran Di Masa Pandemi Covid-19

ABSTRAK Pandemi covid-19 berdampak pada perekonomian di Indonesia dari karyawan dirumahkan, PHK dan pengurangan pendapatan bagi mereka yang bekerja. Permasalahn tersebut membuat tingkat pengangguran semakin tinggi daripada tahun sebelumnya, maka pemerintah secara cepat membuat kebijakan untuk mengurangi tingkat pengangguran di Indonesia. Kebijakan tersebut adalah program kartu prakerja yang difokuskan kepada mereka yang telah kehilangan pekerjaan atau pengurangan penghasilan selama masa pandemi covid-19 ini. Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu untuk mengetahui bagaimana kebijakan program kartu prakerja memperdayakan masyarakat untuk mengurangi pengangguran. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode literatur review dimana sumber dari beberapa jurnal dan data yang di olah menjadi deskriptif. Dalam artikel ini juga menghasilkan bahwa kebijakan program kartu prakerja mebantu memberikan intensi bagi peserta yang lolos dan dapat mengikuti pelatihan yang disediakan sesuai dengan keadaan saat ini. Pelatihan tersebut diharapkan dapat membantu membangun perekonomian karena pelatihan tersebut dapat membuka lapangan pekerjaan bagi mereka yang mengikuti program kartu pra kerja yang di sediakan pemerintah. Kata kunci : Kebijakan, program prakerja, pengangguran abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the economy in Indonesia from employees being laid off, layoffs, and reduced income for those who work. This problem made the unemployment rate higher than the previous year, so the government quickly made policies to reduce the unemployment rate in Indonesia. The policy is a pre-employment card program that is focused on those who have lost their jobs or reduced their income during pandemic COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to find out how the pre-employment card program policy empowers the community to reduce unemployment. This study uses a literature review method were sources from several journals and data are processed to be descriptive. This article showing that the pre-employment card program policy helps provide intentions for participants who pass and can take part in the training provided according to current conditions. The training expected to help build the economy because the training can create job opportunities for those who take part in the pre-employment card program provided by the government. Keywords: Policy, pre-employment program, unemployment

Mixed methods analysis of an exploratory apprenticeship model employment program for young adults with developmental disabilities

BACKGROUND: Individuals with developmental disabilities experience lower employment, higher underemployment, and higher job switching rates than the general population. OBJECTIVE: The current study investigated: (1) the vocational and support experiences of individuals with developmental disabilities, and (2) the differences in participant outcomes between an apprenticeship-model employment program and the comparison group. METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to assess outcomes and experiences of participants in the apprenticeship model employment program (N = 22) and a community-based “Job Club” (N = 11). Thematic analysis was used to analyze interview transcripts. Independent samples T-tests and paired samples T-tests were utilized to analyze within-group and between group differences. RESULTS: Parent interview data regarding past and current experiences of the participants in the apprenticeship model employment program suggest 6 major themes. Independent samples T-tests determined that the apprenticeship program participants were significantly less employed than the comparison group at pre-, then similarly employed as the comparison group at post-intervention. Within-group analyses determined that some aspects of participant confidence in their vocational skills and problem-solving skills significantly increased from pre- to post-intervention, according to parent report. CONCLUSIONS: The apprenticeship model of employment appears to be a promising model in need of further study with a larger sample size.

Efektivitas Program Kartu Prakerja dalam Membangun Sumberdaya Manusia

This writing discusses the effectiveness of the Pre-Work program in building human resources and the role of the Pre-employment program in building the quality of human resources. The objectives of this study were to: (1). Determine the effectiveness of the Pre-employment program in building resources amid the human pandemic. (2). Determine the role of the Pre-employment program in building the quality of human resources in the midst of a pandemic. By using a descriptive qualitative research approach, the type of data used in this study is primary data obtained from in-depth interviews with community recipients of the pre-work card program assistance. The research results obtained are: (1). Pre-employment programs are less effective in building human resources. (2). The Pre-employment Program plays a very important role in building the quality of human resources.

Maqasid Sharī‘ah -Based Multidimensional Criticism toward the Implementation of Indonesian Pre-Employment Card (Kartu Prakerja) Program Amidst The Covid-19 Pandemic

Indonesia recognizes the magnitude of the economic impact of Covid-19 outbreak for the low, middle, and high levels. As a solution, the Government has issued the Pre-Employment Card (Kartu Prakerja) Program that provided for households or individuals affected by Covid-19. However, since its launch on April 11, 2020, the Pre-Employment Program has been controversial and criticized by users, public and public figures. Therefore, this research aims to sharpen the criticism of the Pre-Employment Program from the perspective of Maqasid Sharī‘ah which represents the main objectives of Islamic law, which is multidimensional, because it includes aspects of religion (hifz al-dīn), biopsychology (al-nafs), education (al-‘aql), social (al-nasl) and economic (al-mal). This research applied qualitative research methods of library research and presented in the form of descriptive-analytic. There are five findings of this research. First, from a religious perspective, the implementation of the Pre-Employment Program in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic brought more harm (mudarāt) than benefit (maslahat). Second, from the perspective of biopsychology, the Pre-Employment Program risks creating doubtful income (shubhat even haram), psychological pressure and nutritional needs neglect. Third, from an education perspective, online training which is part of the Pre-Employment Program, is considered ineffective, both in terms of training materials that do not produce job competence, or training participation which is at risk of fictitious. Fourth, from a social perspective, the Pre-Employment Program creates discriminatory policies, conflicts of interest and human rights violations. Fifth, from an economic perspective, the Pre-Employment Program creates waste, monopoly and the potential for corruption.

An Assets-Based Response to the Digital Divide: Success for One Summer Youth Employment Program Serving a Minoritized Community During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the impact of the digital divide on student success in the United States. With almost zero preparation, programs serving young people completely restructured moving from face-to-face engagement to entirely virtual platforms. This study details discoveries made during a 2020 summer youth employment program for adolescent-aged interns that quickly pivoted to virtual program delivery. The study reveals an assets-based philosophy applied to the practice of the program and how that approach mitigated the consequences of the face-to-face to a virtual switch. Highlighted are ways that Yosso’s (2005) Community Cultural Wealth framework describes how the program staff created success in the unexpectedly virtual workspaces. Lastly, recommendations for facilitating virtual summer youth employment programming are provided.