What is a man who was a journeyman auto mechanic for 11 years, and who enjoys riding his Harley Road King on weekends, doing with O*NET? Plenty! During his career as Vocational Counselor, Vocational Counselor Supervisor, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Employment and Training Program Coordinator, Disability Program Navigator, and Employment Consultant, Steve Hughes has been with the Humboldt County, CA, Department of Health and Human Services, in the Employment Training Division (ETD) of the Social Services Branch—for nearly 24 years. When he was a youngster who loved working with his hands, solving problems, and fixing things, Steve envisioned being the auto mechanic. Steve fulfilled that dream and went on to help fix and solve many clients' problems, in the realm of career exploration and employment.
"So I've been around since well before O*NET," Steve explains. "We used the DOT, GATB, USES Interest Inventory, and such—for many years. Those tools were largely stand-alone aids. O*NET has improved our work and helped people do a better job by providing a universal, standardized foundation for career exploration and planning activities, and by providing authoritative information for use with our employer customers. Using the O*NET tools in concert, that is the Interest Profiler, the Work Importance Profiler, and O*NET Online, we get a comprehensive picture of our clients and how they fit into the world of work. This is helpful for everyone—for employers as much as for career planners and job seekers."
Steve echoes a point that several recent Spotlight profilees have highlighted: "We use O*NET more frequently with employers these days, to assist with writing job announcements and job descriptions, and for developing interview questions. O*NET is also helpful in illustrating the many facets of work; it encourages employers and employees to consider aspects other than skills, that is, values, preferences, work environments, etc. Truly understanding both the job and the job applicant can help facilitate better choices, reduce turnover and training time, and improve performance." Spotlight is noting increasing work with employers, using O*NET, in many places.
Often Steve pushes O*NET out to 'other markets,' spreading awareness of this great set of tools. "Most recently, I presented classes on using O*NET to employees of our Social Services Branch, with an emphasis on clients receiving public assistance, and/or with disabilities."
As Disability Program Navigator, understandably Steve has his ear specially attuned to the needs of clients with disabilities. "One very important use of O*NET can be as a part of the good faith interactive process when a person requests a reasonable accommodation. O*NET can help us understand the basic nature of the job in question, and perhaps assist us to identify essential vs. ancillary functions. O*NET also connects directly with outside resources such as Disability 101 and the Job Accommodation Network." Steve has thought through how to use O*NET well, leveraging its potential creatively for a variety of client groups.
"One special project I recently completed using O*NET helped describe important jobs in our area. We wanted to illustrate the skills and other factors that make up the individual jobs in a group of local industries identified by our WIB as 'Targets of Opportunity.' These targets are projected to grow at a faster than average rate, offer higher than average wages, and provide opportunities for advancement. We called up an O*NET Detailed Report for each appropriate occupation and supplemented all of them with wage information from linked sources. We grouped these reports by industry cluster and placed them in a binder for reference purposes. This book will also be a training tool for providers referring youth to summer jobs in those target industries.
With his long and varied experience, Steve can articulate ways O*NET is an improvement over earlier career planning aids. "First, O*NET is a departure from the focus on individual jobs in favor of an industrial/occupational and skills cluster approach. Consequently, O*NET provides both a 'big picture' of the work world, and relevant, specific, individual information. Secondly, I find that the O*NET 'package of resources' frequently excites people about the possibilities. Often when clients see their own potential, they become even more motivated."
Spotlight asked Steve about the possibility of retirement. Not now, not yet is his message. "Sure, I'm eligible to retire. But the ETD is a fine place to be. Our WIB is so supportive, and our management is great. They are behind us in all our efforts. They encourage us to learn as much as we can. They urge us develop our interests, if that helps our clients. And we are so successful! We have well over a 90% success rate in our Dislocated Worker reemployment program."
However, O*NET does figure into Steve's retirement plan. "I'll retire, eventually, but I won't stop working," he quickly asserts. His next great occupation is Vocational Expert, where he can use O*NET in yet another way. As a Diplomate of the American Board of Vocational Experts, and a professional member of the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals, Steve can answer questions regarding residual functional capacity and employment options. In both Social Security Administration cases and private litigation, in the vocational forensic areas of disability, workers compensation, personal injury, etc. experts often are called upon to proffer their opinions about a person's ability to work, why or why not, etc.
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