Participant evaluation of the job finding workshops conducted at the Employment Development Department

Ninety-three subjects responded to a questionnaire presented to them in a telephone interview. The questionnaire was designed to provide a participant evaluation of a job finding workshop. The goal of the workshop was to increase the employment potential by encouraging the development of self-concept, assisting participants in planning their own job search activities, while offering them current labor market information. The following research questions were investigated: 1. Do participants feel they learned more about their desires, interests, and aptitudes as a result of the workshop? 2. Do participants feel the workshop helped them plan their own job search activities? 3. Do participants feel that others will benefit from the workshop? Results indicate that most subjects felt the workshop accomplished its goal. Fifty-seven percent, 54 percent, and 84 percent respectively responded to questions about the development of self-concept, ability to plan job search activities, and questions which ask if others would benefit from the workshop. The average percentage of favorable responses was 65 percent. Unfavorable responses were 43 percent in the area of self-concept. Forty-six percent said they did not learn to plan job search activities. Sixteen percent felt that others would not benefit from the workshop. The average percentage of unfavorable responses was 35 percent. Comments and suggestions were used to indicate the reasons subjects gave for their responses. Data indicated that vocationally mature and immature women attended the workshop. It provided them with several services regardless of their vocational maturity. The workshop functioned as part of a total plan leading towards vocational maturity. Subjects reported that others would benefit from the workshop, even when they felt that they were not personally helped. Recommendations were made to expand the workshop to include more women, especially members of minority groups. It was also suggested that other agencies concerned with educating and employing women could use the workshops concepts. Recommendations also included methods for choosing and training personnel to offer such services.