Frequently Asked Questions?
Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page. Here you will find information on:
Development of the ERS
Client Features
Training
Management Reports
General
Click on each of the segments to expand and see questions and answers to the most frequently asked question of the ERS.
For additional information also visit our home page where you will find a list of of articles on the benefits and different applications of the ERS.
If you have a question that isn't answered here, or if you would like a demonstration of the ERS, please contact us via email or send us a message.
Email ERS Contact ERS
1. How did you develop the Employment Readiness Model™?
Under contract to the Canadian Federal Government, we reviewed all available research on barriers to employment and what helps clients become successful in their work life. We looked particularly at research from Australia, Canada, Sweden, the U.K., and the U.S. We then conducted focus groups and interviews with subject matter experts and key informants. The model was ultimately reviewed and approved by a Federal-Provincial Steering Committee of professionals in employment counselling.
2. How did you validate the Employment Readiness Scale™?
The Scale was field tested with 758 clients on employment insurance or income assistance over a period of three years. The reliability and validity of the ERS were tested several ways – e.g., staff ratings of clients were compared with client scores, client scores post-intervention were compared with their initial scores to see if change could be detected, client employment status was compared with clients’ final ERS scores.
Please see “ERS Research Results” for more details. https://ersscale.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ERS_Research-Results_cdn.pdf
3. Why do you include “Soft Skills” in your Employment Readiness Model™?
We found in the research that some clients with many barriers were still successful while others with few barriers were not. The difference lay in how strong the clients were on the five Soft Skills factors. So we measure Soft Skills both in order to determine how well clients will be able to deal with their challenges and to determine how effective they will be in their work life.
For more information read the article from our landing page on weaving soft skills.
4. How did you determine the three levels of readiness – Not Ready, Minimally Ready, Fully Ready?
The categories are from the field testing. We analyzed the various configurations that increase the client’s likelihood of success in order to develop the underlying categories.
5. How effective are the questions in predicting clients' work life success?
To ensure accuracy, extensive field testing is required. This was done during the development of the ERS, where over 400 initial questions were evaluated based on their predictive value. While some questions may seem obvious and intuitive upon review (known as face validity), at least half of the questions were chosen due to their strong predictive power. Conversely, certain questions were excluded from the ERS due to their weak predictive power. To determine if the ERS is appropriate for a particular client group, it is recommended to review the “ERS Research Results”. https://ersscale.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ERS_Research-Results_cdn.pdf;
In brief, our findings have been that the ERS works well with clients who:
- Are at least 14 years old.
- Are from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
- Are From any linguistic group.
- Have Grade 7 or equivalent literacy level.
1. Is the ERS adaptable to in-person and remote service delivery?
The ERS is an on-line assessment that can be delivered in person, remotely, or using a hybrid model depending on the needs of the agency and client. It can also be used on a Smart phone.
2. What is the impact of staff reading the questions to the client?
Field testing showed that the only impact was lengthening the administration time from 15-20 minutes to 40 minutes. Staff can read the questions and the client can click the answer. This supports clients with first language or comprehension barriers.
3. Can the ERS be used with college and university students?
Yes, the ERS would be an excellent planning tool to ensure students (including mature students) are ready for their next important step in training, education and employment.
4. What ages are appropriate for using the ERS?
The ERS is appropriate for individuals aged 14 +. The field testing included individuals aged 14 to 65.
5. How does the ERS measure challenges to employment?
We chose to measure barriers or challenges as sources of stress. We identified the 30 most common challenges reported in the international research literature, and then had a panel of experts rate them with regard to their relative stressfulness so that they could be weighted appropriately in the overall ERS scoring.
6. What is contained in a Client Feedback Report?
Feedback Reports include a narrative section, a graph of results for all factors, level of challenges, action plan section and plain language definitions. Subsequent assessment retakes allow for a comparison of results. We provide training for staff that includes debriefing Feedback Reports.
7. What is contained in a client Action Plan?
The Action Plan is linked to client needs based on the Feedback Report and any Local Programs and Services that the client has been referred to.
8. Can the ERS feedback be delivered in a group setting?
Yes, you can give feedback in a group, and we have a Group Debrief protocol that you can use.
9. Is it possible to get a listing of the questions and to link those questions to the various factors?
No, we do not publish the questions or the links between questions and factors. In fact, the ERS license states specifically that users will not “print screen” questions. It would jeopardize the validity of the scale, and particularly the ability to re-test clients and measure change, if we published the link between questions and factors.
10. What does it mean that the ERS has been validated for repeat administration?
We have designed the ERS so that it can be administered multiple times to a client in order to measure change over time. Part of our field test was focused on demonstrating that we could get a statistically reliable measure of change when the ERS was repeated.
11. How do we use the Client Feedback Reports?
You can always tell from the feedback report which of the 9 factors and challenges are important for a client to address to become self-sufficient. We provide a section on the ERS Agency site called “Helping Clients Get Employment Ready” where we give factor definitions and sample interventions that would be helpful. In the ERS training, we teach staff ways of exploring with clients what particular aspects of a factor they need help with and then how to review sample sources of help available to them locally, in accordance with these needs.
12. How do I evaluate interventions?
There is a Local Programs feature where you can enter the interventions you want to evaluate. Once you code a client to that Local Program and give the ERS to the client before and after the intervention, the ERS will generate a report on how much clients improved in that intervention. .
1. What kind of training is available for staff?
We will help you set up your ERS website and provide initial training on how to administer the assessment to clients and students. As you gain familiarity with using the assessment tool, we provide further training on analyzing client assessments and interpreting aggregate reports. An online Training Manual is also available for reference. .
2. What other support do you provide?
A dedicated Service Affiliate is available for ongoing support. In addition, we offer free webinars on topics of interest, a quarterly newsletter and a monthly report with usage updates.
1. What management reports are available?
The ERS reporting function has many downloadable reports in pdf format. You can create customized reports to track variables unique to your organization or educational institute. In addition, there is a dashboard that shows at-a-glance aggregate data in graphical format.
2. Can we get the raw data for analysis?
Yes, data can be downloaded in Excel for analytical purposes. We provide a variety of ways to code clients so that you can generate customized reports. In addition, there are built-in reports that can be downloaded.
3. Is the ERS customizable?
Yes. You can define and set up to six variables of your choice. Common variables are case manager/counsellor, office location, housing, education level, family status, disability type and immigration status. You can use these to sort clients and create reports.
4. How can we evaluate the impact of Programs and Services?
This is a customizable feature. The ERS Local Programs feature enables you to enter programs and services you want to evaluate. When 10 or more clients are entered into a Program or Service, and have taken the ERS before and after participating in it, you can generate a comprehensive report showing the impact of that program.
5. How do we access our data?
We provide training to managers and team leads to generate data directly from your site in Excel format. You can also access the Dashboard that gives you a graphical snapshot of your clients’ results. Upon request, we develop and provide comprehensive graphical PowerPoint presentations of your data at no cost.
Agencies may use their data for program evaluation and planning, reporting to funders, and writing new proposals.
1. What if I would like to try taking the scale to see if it is valid for my clients?
Our three years of field testing were designed to answer that question, and the Scale’s validity was successfully demonstrated with a wide range of clients. Simply taking the Scale will not give you that answer. We would be happy to arrange a presentation with you to give you more information.
2. How many agencies have used the ERS?
Since 2001, close to 1,000 agencies and several hundred thousand clients and students have used the ERS in Australia, Canada, the U.S and the U.K. The ERS can be taken by clients in English, French, or Spanish
3. What support can we get in submitting funding proposals?
We would be pleased to provide data and ERS information for funding proposals, please ask us for details.
4. Can the ERS be used to evaluate a ½ day or 1 day workshop?
Yes, as long as the workshop is focused on improving employability.
5. How can I find out more?
We would be happy to arrange a presentation. Please Email us at: admin@ERSscale.com and we will respond the same business day.