Audience
This website is being created for the residents of Western Indiana who may be eligible for the services of Western Indiana Employment & Training Services (WIETS). WIETS is a non-profit organization that provides employment and training services to the citizens of Clay, Parke, Putnam, Vermillion and Vigo Counties. As part of WorkOne, WIETS offers job search and training resources to job seekers.
The WIETS website will serve its three primary audiences in this 5 county area:
- Job Seekers: Dislocated, unemployed, underemployed and disadvantaged workers.
- Youth: Ages 14-21 that require vocational or educational assistance, who may be at risk or disadvantaged.
- Employers:Looking for staffing assistance or training, or relocation assistance in the case of displaced workers.
Needs Assessment
Operating for over twenty years, WIETS constantly undergoes changes in its funding sources and subsequent regulations. In order to understand its' services, programs, and goals, we have undergone serious review of existing program descriptions, funding sources, and the websites of comparable agencies providing similar services. Under the guidance of the agency director, interviews, emails and meetings with a core committee were undertaken to identify needs and goals for the website.
The following steps and resources were reviewed with the agency Director, Operations Manager, Outreach Coordinator, and Planner/Grants Manager:
- Review of funding sources, Dept of Labor & Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
- Observation of "best practices" of other successful Workforce Investment Boards (WIB's) websites
- Interviews with program leaders on content, clients and eligibility of individual programs
- Feedback from clients
- Communication with employers & interaction with other agencies and community organizations
Purpose & Goals
The primary purpose of the WIETS website is to make program information, employment resources, and public service links available in an online interface.In fact, of key importance, is WIETS desire to be linked to the upcoming website for WIWIB, www.WIWIB.com, a website for the Western Indiana Workforce Investment Board this coming January.
In addition, www.WIETS.org will serve to be:
- WIETS general presence on Internet for employers & job seekers
- Make information and contacts available to complementary community or social services agencies
- To differentiate WIET's free job seeker services from other fee-for-service employment agencies
Unique Contributions
WIETS seeks to differentiate its programs from those of other WIB's and traditional employment agencies through its' website. Many WIB's, unfortunately, are not even able to have websites.
WIETS website will emphacize the following unique programs & characteristics:
- Operating for 20 years: October 2, 2003 20th Anniversary will be featured
- One-stop full service resource: links to WIWIB, Board Agency Partners, employment and training resources, community assistance providers and career guidance tools
- Financial Assistance: Up to 50% of employer training costs, and job seeker transportation and education costs reimbursed.
- Future: Downloadable forms, publications or applications, resource tools and additional links.
Content Elements
Sample webpages for WIETS can be seen on the following links:
Link to Homepage Sample Link to Sample Content Page
In addition, www.WIETS.org will demonstrate and include the following content elements:
- Essential: History and general information on WIETS, contact information and agency locations, program overviews.
- Special: Unique service values catering to disadvantaged worker population and financial assistance to employers.
- Dynamic: Monthly changing calendars and newsletters.
- Interactive: Email contacts and possible future downloadable resources
- Duplicate: Instead of duplicating content desriptions of overlapping shared programs with other agencies, we will instead provide a mulititude of active links to other websites
Overall, the WIETS website will provide brief introductions to its services for job seekers, youth and employers; an overview of WIETS organization and history to demonstrate capabilities and credibility;and, links to complementary resources and agencies.
Inspiration Diagram
The following link will illustrate the project plan by means of an "Inspiration Diagram". This Site Map shows the basic relationships of WIETS core service areas and programs, and reflects the overall organization of the website to be completed.
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