Prior columns have dealt with supported employment programs providing "differently-able" employees through groups such as Nassau AHRC. Today, we want to expand and give you specific resources to help you find, train and retain good employees.  Many small businesses start with the conventional sources- headhunters and recruiters. There are also numerous private on line sources now such as www.monster.com ; www.linkedin.com/post-jobs and wwww.careerbuilder.com. Conventional government sources are also popular:

NYS Dept. Labor- www.labor.ny.gov; US Dept. Labor-www.dol.gov; Nassau County Executive’s Office holds job fairs in which employers can participate: www.nassaucountyny.gov/website/lw/employment/index.html. Suffolk County has a similar effort: www.suffolkcountyny.gov/departments/employmentcenter.aspx. The Town of Hempstead has an active job placement division including assistance in hiring the disabled-www.toh.li/occupational resources.  Town of Oyster Bay conducts a like effort- www.oysterbaytown.com/job-search-workforce-partnership.  Job placement offices of colleges, graduate schools (alumni offices also); guidance offices of high schools; Chambers of Commerce, trade associations, even houses of worship and civic organizations can provide sources of new employees.

Beyond these traditional private and government resources for employees, businesses should think creatively about hiring, particularly from alternative populations such as seniors, veterans, the economically disadvantaged and the disabled.  Hiring from these populations typically comes with: free screening, job coaches who work with the hiree, tax credits, and, most importantly, people who want and need jobs and will be committed, hard working and loyal employees.

Today’s seniors are working longer and often economically deterred from retirement. They also have a great work ethic, experience, expertise and attitude not found elsewhere.  Check out Nassau County Dept. Sr. Citizens- www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/seniors. In Suffolk County, see www.suffolkcountyny.gov/departments/county/executiveoffice/officefortheaging.aspx.

There are several government support programs to help our returning veterans obtain productive employment and help employers with training and subsidies.  See www.labor.ny.gov-veterans programs.

Finally, thinks about hiring the “differently-abled”. Both physically and mentally challenged workers can be a great workforce source.  Generally, supported employment programs through the government or private organizations provide a huge amount of support for this populations, helping you to fit the job to the right person, being on site to train the person, continuing as support for the person’s work life. In addition, tax credits and even subsidies may be available to help the employer. Se VESID (NYS’ office of Vocational & Educations Services for People with Disabilities)-www.acces.nysed.gov/vr. Throughout NYS there are ARC’s who assist the disabled. In Nassau County, the AHRC has an extensive supported employment program-www.ahrc/workforce.org. The Association for Children with Learning Disabilities (ACLD) also has a significant employment placement effort- www.acld.org-click through to adult services and then supported employment. The United Cerebral Palsy Associations throughout NYS are another great resource-ex. Suffolk United Cerebral Palsy-www.ucp-suffolk.org-click through to services, adult day services, and vocational rehab division.

The bottom line is that today’s businesses must be creative to find the right employees, with the right skills, the right attitude and who are willing to be a long term, valued member of the team. It is expensive to have to keep hiring and training. Finding and keeping a good employee is essential to business success.