Eva Lipscomb and Elenor Tucker, Carilion Human Resources team members, are pictured assisting trainees.  Shawn Spencer, TAP trainer, is pictured facilitating a class.

Carilion Clinic has partnered with TAP This Valley Works to teach interview skills to TAP’s Career and Life Skills Development (CLSD) customers.   

This Valley Works is the component at TAP which focuses on enhancing the employability of individuals by providing a variety of programs designed to assist the under-skilled. CLSD provides training in understanding the employer, understanding the culture of the company, the importance of teamwork, interpersonal skills and body language, the basics of resume writing, application completion, and much more. 

Carilion devotes two to four hours weekly to provide interview skills training and to host mock interviews.  The principles taught by Carilion’s Human Resources team help to equip TAP trainees as they seek to become gainfully employed.

CLSD is structured in a workshop format for the duration of one week, beginning Monday and ending Friday. Each day represents a module of training within the program covering numerous topics and preparation. 

CLSD trainees are clients of the City of Roanoke’s Department of Social Services (DSS) who represent a wide range of diversity – socio-economic, racial and educational tiers. To qualify for the program, a participant must be currently receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and be enrolled in the DSS Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare Program (VIEW). 

Shawn Spencer, former Human Resource Administrator at Pepsi and Program Coordinator of the Batten Leadership Institute at Hollins University, facilitates the training.  The goal of the program is not only to assist participants with securing employment, but maintaining it as well. 

TAP thanks Carilion for devoting a tremendous amount of time to CLSD training.  Other employers who assist by providing mock interviews include:  Express Personnel, Kelly Services, Patriot Services, the City of Roanoke, Famous Anthony’s, Coca Cola Bottling, Western Virginia Regional Jail, The Roanoke Times, Bank of America, Hometown Bank, Wachovia Bank, Command Labor, Sponsor Hounds, Youth Advocate Programs, Delta Dental of Virginia, The Roanoke Civic Center, Home Depot and Panera Bread. Other employers are continuously being recruited.  If you’re interested in partnering in this valuable initiative please contact Shawn Spencer at 540-853-6550 or shawn.spencer@education.edu.