Culturally Appropriate Assessment of Employees Sam Amiel, JDC Israel sama@jdc.org.il June 2, 2008

Culturally Appropriate Assessment of Employees

Sam Amiel, JDC Israel

sama@jdc.org.il

June 2, 2008

Labor Force in IsraelLabor Force in Israel Working Age Population Aged 18-64

3.7 million

Aged 22 -643.3 million

Aged 18-21400,000

Unemployed1.1 million

Employed2.2 million

Job Seekers200,000

Not Participating900,000

6.9%6.7%

7.7%

8.6%8.9% 8.8%

9.4%

10.3% 10.4%10.7%

9.0%

8.6% 8.2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Estim

ate 20

06

Antici

pated

2007

52%

53%

54%

55%

56%

Unemployment in IsraelUnemployment in IsraelParticipation Rate

•Immigrants

•People with Disabilities

•Minorities •Haredim

•Young Adults.

Israel has the highest rate of chronically Israel has the highest rate of chronically unemployed in the western worldunemployed in the western world

Phases of Tevet

1. Initial programs focused on orientation to the workplace and job placement.

2. Phase II programming will highlight job retention and career development.

3. Dual client approach: job seekers and employers are equal partners to workforce development efforts

The Need

• Market failure: human resource assessment centers and employers lack tools for culturally sensitive selection

Response:

Multi-pronged approach:

• Culturally-sensitive structured interview

• Learning strategies

• Adapting testing methodology

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