Work? Nonprofit increases odds by 200%
14-month study reveals PSGCNJ program works, especially for LTU
By Ken Hitchner
Professional Service Group of Central New Jersey members who complete the nonprofit’s program increase their odds of returning to work by more than 200 percent, according to an in-house study released today.
“What we once believed, we now know,” said Kenneth Hitchner, PSGCNJ’s executive director. “Our value proposition has been proven. Employers and recruiters have told us that they find professionals more attractive when they are not out of work. When we re-launched the new, independent PSGCNJ, we targeted that problem area. And the results have been amazing.”
Consider the historic findings:
• Six out of every 10 unemployed PSGCNJ members who re-entered the workforce had obtained “active” status by fulfilling the nonprofit’s program requirements during the study; yet, 19 percent of all unemployed PSGCNJ members—two out of 10—had achieved “active” status.
• For the first time, the study substantiates that PSGCNJ “active” status provides job seekers with more than a 200-percent advantage over other members in regards to finding future employment.
• The PSGCNJ “active” status benefits all job seekers, especially the long-term unemployed. In fact, 59 percent of the members who went back to work during the study were long-term unemployed, ranging from 27 weeks to 271 weeks.
During the 14-month study, 64.2 percent—111 out of 173—of members who returned to work were “active” as compared to “non-active” or prospective members who returned to the workforce. To become an “active” PSGCNJ member, professionals are required to complete its Accelerated Career Training program, attend at least one General Membership meeting every three months
and volunteer on at least one of the organization’s business units, which operate the corporation.
As of Feb. 28, 2014, 19 percent of PSGCNJ’s unemployed members—160 out of 867—were considered “active.”
The ongoing research study included “active” and “non-active”, or prospective, PSGCNJ members who re-entered the workforce between Jan. 1, 2013 and March 10, 2014.
In 2013, 152 PSGCNJ unemployed professionals went back to work, compared to 95 in 2012. Sixty-eight percent returned to permanent positions last year.
Re-employed members included in the study live in 14 different counties, including Somerset (92), Morris (21), Hunterdon (15), Union (13) and Middlesex (12) counties.
During its first 22 months operating as an independent organization, PSGCNJ has helped 227 unemployed professionals return to work. Dating back to its roots as a state program, PSGCNJ has helped 902 unemployed professionals return to work since June 2008.
About PSGCNJ
PSGCNJ is the nation’s first employment community that helps its unemployed, professional members advance their careers by putting them back into the workforce.
The nonprofit’s education program features Accelerated Career Training (ACT) workshops, resume review and mock interview classes. New programs, such as the Marketing Plan seminar and Improv for Business Communications, have been added to the public offerings.
The organization’s innovative workforce development program also drives the nonprofit’s success rate. To gain full access to PSGCNJ’s free services, members are required to join one of six business units that operate the corporation and donate their talent to advance the PSGCNJ mission.
To learn more, please visit psgcnj.org, and to contribute, click Give Now.