Finding the Perfect Fit to Fill Employer's Needs
Hancock Haven Retirement Village is a state licensed adult foster care home specializing in Alzheimer’s. They house up to 12 residents and are currently full. Finding employees that have the skill, intelligence, and heart for personal caregiving in Cheboygan County is very difficult, and the cost of training a new employee can be daunting and expensive.
Owner Bonnie Hancock explains, “We must overlap the trainee with other employees to do the training, so where one employee would be on the schedule, we now have to pay two…sometimes for 2-3 months, depending on the residents’ care level.” To help with these concerns, Bonnie came to Michigan Works! for assistance with training costs.
Michigan Works! (MW!) Business Solutions Professional Niki Chamberlain spoke with MW! staff and realized job seeker Alice Vanhorn would be an excellent fit for Hancock’s needs. While Alice didn’t have a GED or diploma, at Niki’s recommendation Bonnie decided to take a chance on her because of her good work ethic and attitude.
Because MW! staff were able to pick such a great candidate for the On-the-Job Training (OJT) program, there were really no challenges. Niki continued to follow Alice’s progress during the training process, giving her tips and encouragement so her employment would be successful. Alice proved to be everything Niki said she would be. She learned quickly, retaining everything she learned, and her employer says she is a model employee.
Bonnie Hancock touts, “Niki and her co-workers have helped us multiple times with our search for employees. She listens to our needs and the skill level we need in an employee. Niki’s attention to detail make her a very vital part of not only MW!, but to Hancock Haven as well. In our business of caring for people, when we lose an employee, immediate replacement is vital! We have found MW! to be our “go-to” source for quick replacement and skilled employees with great potential. MW! staff had the insight to realize Alice would fit our needs and they were a huge help in assisting with the cost of training.”
Alice Vanhorn is pretty excited about her position as well, raving, “You guys are fantastic! Yolanda worked very hard at helping me find a job. I got this job because of the OJT program and I am very thankful for that. It is a fantastic experience, I’m learning a lot about taking care of people and to communicate better. The OJT program also helped with gas money initially to get to work. At my last job I had to travel a lot, didn’t receive mileage and the hours were inconsistent. With this job, I am close to home, work 40 hours, enjoy going to work, and my co-workers and clients are awesome!”