Implicit Career Search

Results

Working On Purpose’s parent program, Implicit Career Search, have been continuously tested and improved since 1994

See results

See clients

2-3x

As effective as traditional approaches in helping clients attain work

90%

Participant satisfaction rating

250%

Average increase in client self-efficacy, personal accountability and self-esteem

6x

As effective as traditional approaches in helping clients retain work

Results

Working On Purpose is the result of over 30 years of iterative development. These results are based on the parent program,
The Implicit Career Search.

1. CAMBIE STUDY (Income Assistance Clients, Kelowna, BC) Results 4 months after the program	Standard Job Services	Working On Purpose (ICS)
Total employed or doing productive work	31%	78%
Off Income Assistance due to employment	4%	13%

2. UK STUDY (Unemployed in the United Kingdom)	Standard	Post-ICS
Increase in likelihood of sustaining employment	50%	85%
Increase in Self-Esteem	20%	70%
Participant Satisfaction	2 years	1 year

MAX BURGERS RESTAURANTS (Staff Retention & Engagement)	Pre-ICS	Post-ICS
% of trainers becoming managers	50%	85%
% of managers remaining with Max	20%	70%
Average training time to become a manager	2 years	1 year

ADAM’S LAKE FIRST NATIONS	Pre-ICS	Post-ICS
Participants	22	22
Longest term of employment	2 months	1 year +
Business plans developed‍‍	NA	21
Independent Contractor	NA	1
Started a small business at end of program	NA	8
Working in a job	NA	12
Perfect attendance record for 6 months of employment	NA	10/12

BRENTWOOD BAY RESORT (Staff Retention and Engagement)	Pre-ICS	Post-ICS
Staff Engagement	62%	87%
Staff Turnover (industry average 66%)	52%	7%

Clients & Partnerships

We work with anyone who works with people:

Businesses find they get results in areas of staffing, performance, and a more effective culture.
Universities and colleges have applied to the program to help their students get focussed and as a service to their community.
Employment agencies have found that ICS not only enhances their reputation within the community, it helps them reach those all important KPI’s!

Businesses

Thomson Rivers University, Kamloops BC
Okanagan College, Salmon Arm, BC
Yukon College
Simon Fraser University, Vancouver BC

Universities & Colleges

Thomson Rivers University, Kamloops BC
Okanagan College, Salmon Arm, BC
Yukon College
Simon Fraser University, Vancouver BC

Employment Agencies

Courtenay Employment Agency
Parksville Career Centre, BC
North Shore Neighbourhood House, Vancouver BC
North Caledonia College, Prince George, BC
John Howard Agencies BCNexus, Vernon BC
Fort Nelson Employment Agency, BC
Union Gospel Mission Vancouver BC
Avia Employment Services, Richmond
Calgary Community and Social Services
MOSAIC, Vancouver
Alberni Valley Employment Centre
NOESS, Alberni
North Shuswap Tribal Council
Quesnel Employment Services, BC
Adams Lake Indian Band, Chase BC
Neskonlith Indian Band, Salmon Arm BC
Little Shuswap Indian Band, Salmon Arm BC
Open Door Group, Vancouver BC
WCG, Calgary Alberta
MCG, Calgary Alberta
Prospect Employment Services, Calgary Alberta
Centre for Newcomers, Calgary Alberta

Others

Surrey Pre-Trial Services Center, BC
Ministry of Employment BC
Alberta Works
Canada Employment

Feedback from diverse groups of participants

First Nations

“Each of the ICS trainees have now identified career plans which have conjured up a passion for what they are really interested in life. This has created an additional 12 jobs and is leading us to help establish longer term businesses for some of the individuals in reaching their dreams. Dreams that have been crystallized by Steve Miller’s great coaching work in his “Implicit Career Search” program.”
‍Jeremy Cooke, P. Eng. CEO: Adams Lake Corporation

‍“On day two of this workshop I realized why it felt weird…of all the many programs I have participated in, and been forced to take, this is the first one that talks about me. Weird!”
‍Monica Kenoras, Neskainlith Indian Band.

Career Counsellors

“Most employment programs only motivate their clients for a very short time whereas individuals who have taken the Implicit Career Search leave inspired as they have a greater connection with themselves and a renewed sense of self-esteem, and self worth which creates more determination to achieve their personal and professional best. Through experiencing the ICS, clients discover a deeper connection to the work they are meant to do and in many cases their contribution is far more enduring than those returning to work for sake of a pay cheque. As job retention is enhanced, clients are therefore less likely to return to government financial assistance. Over the past 7 years, this program has continually met and exceeded their contractual targets and the program evaluations from both the clients and the funder have been extremely positive. We feel confident that the Implicit Career Search is the best career tool available today and your clients and community can only benefit from this important resource.”
Shannon Carphin, RRP Director of Programs PACIFIC JUSTICE SERVICES ASSOCIATION

‍“I have been facilitating a three-day version of the Implicit Career Search workshop at a WorkBC Employment services agency in BC for the past three years. Employment consultants in the agency refer their clients to the workshop. Some of the most profound feedback I have received is from them. They have told me that their clients come back to them with greater clarity and focus. They find it particularly useful for clients that are pursuing training because they come out of the workshop with more confidence in their choice of career and a solid plan. ICS helped me define my very rewarding career and every time I deliver the workshop I feel like it is doing the same for others.”Heidi Abbott, Career Counsellor Parksville Career Centre, BC

‍“I am currently delivering ICS to groups of tier 3 and 4’s under the EPBC mandate and am achieving greater results than I had hoped for! Clients actively participate in each module, attendance is almost perfect and they are moving on from ICS to enthusiastically participate in the other services we have to offer.”
Allison Houweling, Program Facilitator, John Howard Society, Vernon, BC
‍
“In a 3-day, 6-module workshop, ICS can accomplish what might ordinarily take weeks of Case Management sessions and separate individual or group workshops.”
Bill Brown, Community Partnership Coordinator/Facilitator, Alberni Valley Employment Centre, Port Alberni, BC

“I have seen ICS turn around a group of long-term unemployed jobseekers from low energy and despondent to energized and focused. This career- based solution is profoundly ground breaking.”
‍Bill Davies, Senior Consultant, JCA (Occupational Psychologists) Ltd, Cheltenham, UK.

Prisoners

An excerpt from a report written by Fred Stratton, Acting Deputy Warden, Surrey, BC, Canada Pre-Trial Centre after The Implicit Career Search was delivered to 12 remand prisoners:
‍‍“…At the end of the course the participants each completed a course evaluation. My experience with these types of evaluations is that either the course is generally accepted and appreciated or written off by the group. In this instance I was pleased to see that the participants unanimously found this to be a helpful and intuitive course. Some comments were:

“This course helped me identify my essence and gave me the guidance and tools to become a more respectful, focused, confident and aware person.”

“The course was awesome and the facilitators were great”

“I really feel this program will change my life, in a better way and I feel wonderful.”

“…it revealed a lot about myself that I did not know.”

“It was very inspirational… instructors were very professional… I give it 10/10”

“Taught me how to make better choices”

“This course gave me tools that I can use in my everyday life.”

“I really believe this course will change my life in a better way and I feel wonderful.”
‍
“Wow! I’m learning.”

“I would like this course to be offered to other inmates.”

Overall these were the type of comments we received from all participants. There were a lot of comments about finding essence and motivation. Next were the references to improved planning skills and overall were the comments about thoroughly enjoying the course. My follow up with the participants showed a retained improvement in their outlook for inmates that were still in this centre, after several weeks. Only a follow up in subsequent years will be able to show a long term effect but the fact that I had a number of other people ask for the course shows the word of mouth was good from participants to their friends. My experience with Steve and Tedd left me comfortable with their style of delivery for both inmates and staff. There was a solid connection within the group.”
‍Fred Stratton, Acting Deputy Warden, Surrey Pre-Trial Centre