 Purpose

Jobs for Life (JfL) equips people to find work and thrive once they get there. According to the creators “The Jobs for Life job readiness training course for adults incorporates biblical truths and stories to help men and women understand their dignity and God-given identity and gifts, develop character, and foster a supportive community that will equip them for work and life.”

 Pricing Summary (subject to change)

Startup costs for two facilitators (online training): $460 (instructor guide included in student bundle)

Cost for 10 participants (curriculum bundle): $350

 Perspective

JfL is passionate about the need for the church to focus less effort on meeting surface needs and to spend more time addressing the barriers to work that many people in poverty face. JfL’s curriculum takes a faith-based approach and tries to address foundational issues first - such as building a sense of self-worth and integrity. From there they more to practical skills like resume writing and conflict resolution.

 Structure

The class is designed to be taught twice a week for a total of 8 weeks. Classes take between 90-120 minutes and are designed for 1-2 facilitators to teach. This curriculum does not use videos.

 Best For

This curriculum is optimized for people who are unemployed or in search of better employment. It is appropriate for the typical person in poverty. It is also an explicitly faith-based curriculum, so Biblical allusions are common.

It is optimized to be taught by a church, though it can be taught by a nonprofit just as well.

 Evidence That It Works

JfL asks all program participants to report outcomes, so that allows them to collect data about how well their curriculum is working and refine as needed. Unfortunately, they don’t report that data on their site, though many affiliates report their outcomes at a local level (70% post-class employment is typical).

JfL has been around since 1996 and more than 30,000 people have gone through the program.

 Cost and Resources

Jobs for Life operates on a “partnership” basis. Rather than merely selling you the curriculum, they want you to partner with them in tracking data and promoting the program in your community. This means that running a JfL program generally requires more commitment than merely teaching a class. It also means that JfL is invested in the success of your class, rather than merely viewing you as a curriculum customer and is ready to assist with coaching as needed.

JfL requires two facilitators to attend a two-day training course (JfL CORE), currently available online in an interactive cohort for $230 per facilitator.

JfL is also designed for each course participant to have a mentor or “champion” to encourage them as they learn and apply.

JfL wants your program to connect to potential employers in the community, to directly connect participants with better employment through your program. This is obviously valuable, though it requires a significant amount of time to build those business connections.

In addition to a basic classroom set up, JfL recommends, but does not require PowerPoint projection capability.

 How to order:

https://jobsforlife.org

 What We Love

JfL gives you the tools to rally your community and make a big difference in the lives of participants. This program is relational, empowering, and addresses both the practical and the foundational challenges your clients face.

 Considerations

This is an intensive program which will require a lot of dedicated people to make it a success. It is doubtless worth the effort, but it may not be possible in every situation. It is also only appropriate for a Christian church or nonprofit, given the tone of the curriculum.

Updated 11.16.22