What is the ACHIEVE Program?

Towards Employment’s ACHIEVE is an innovative worksite-based job retention program. Our goal is to increase entry-level employee retention, promote skill building for employee success, and reduce employee absenteeism and turnover.

ACHIEVE is unique in that it partners with employers and is worksite-based; in other words, our services are provided at the employer’s location rather than at Towards Employment. The program is characterized by flexibility and innovation; it includes a menu of services that are custom-tailored to the unique needs and preferences of each company and each individual to complement and build on employers’ existing in-house programs.

Towards Employment’s ACHIEVE has been recognized as a national model for addressing high turnover in low-wage jobs through its proactive partnership with participating employers.

Who does the ACHIEVE Program benefit?

Towards Employment’s ACHIEVE program serves both entry-level employees and employers. The program seeks to improve the lives of low-wage, entry-level employees and their families by stabilizing their employment experience and setting the stage for advancement. As for employers, Achieve is aimed at meeting important objectives of the employer: reduced turnover and improved employee morale and performance.

Employers currently participating in our ACHIEVE program represent a variety of industries in the greater Cleveland area, including warehousing, manufacturing, and long-term care. Long-term care faces particular challenges with annual turnover across our participating employers ranging from 80%-100% in the year prior to the start of ACHIEVE services. This is within the industry norm; according to information from both the National Institutes of Health and the Alzheimer’s Association, annual nursing home employee turnover rates typically average at, or close to, 100%.

How does ACHIEVE help employers?

By providing intensive services on-site at the workplace, the Towards Employment’s ACHIEVE program is proactive, rather than reactive, and is able to operate in partnership with both employers and employees. By having Achieve staff members at the employer’s workplace, service access is more convenient for employees, and employer’s benefit from the ability to have regular contact with ACHIEVE advisors.

Weekly ACHIEVE services help build an infrastructure of support that will increase the stability and retention of entry-level staff and provide a platform that can be used in any number of ways to support specific initiatives the employer may wish to implement. In addition to the standard program services, ACHIEVE can be custom-tailored to meet an employer’s specific needs. Some examples of custom-designed programs we have implemented include a New Hire Group to reduce turnover of employees during their first 90 days on the job. We also offer career ladder programs at long-term care facilities to support individuals who want to enhance their skills and move from a nurses’ aide to more advanced health care positions, including returning to school to become an LPN.

How does ACHIEVE help employees?

Towards Employment’s ACHIEVE program helps employees by providing information, education, and support in addressing both work and life issues. We do this by removing barriers to successful employment, and by helping employees chart a course for career success and advancement, depending on their individual needs. These activities ultimately result in greater stability, increased opportunity for advancement, and improved quality of life.

Services include soft skills including communication, teamwork and time management and life skills including managing work-life balance, financial literacy, and how to access community resources; weekly sessions to advise new employees in adjusting to their jobs and addressing work-life balance issues (a common cause of employee absenteeism and turnover); supportive services and community referrals; and supervisory training sessions designed to improve communications, feedback and support to direct care workers.

Some specific examples of how ACHIEVE has made a difference in participants’ lives include: helping repair credit, save money and buy a home for the first time; start a GED program; access financing for school; obtain eyeglasses; build skills to manage time better; understand and utilize employee benefits; and improve individual performance evaluations.