Developing Soft Skills
As a business, Correctional Industries (CI) instills and promotes positive work ethics. While offenders working for CI are gaining real work experience, they may still lack the interpersonal skills required to make the correct decision when faced with even basic workplace issues.

In partnership with South Seattle Community College, CI has launched a pilot program created by Learning Resources, Inc. (LRI) that uses video technology to identify and develop soft skills such as customer relations, good judgment, problem solving, workplace integrity, positive self-esteem and self-management. In addition, the program also utilizes LRI’s Workforce Readiness System (WRS) and Customer Skills Program which measures broad skills related to personal qualities, customer care and listening.

Offenders learn soft skills through observation of staff. CI staff act not only as supervisors, but as role models. As part of the pilot program, staff is trained in both the WRS and Motivational Interviewing in order to give them the tools necessary to more effectively supervise and prepare offenders for the outside workforce.

Offenders will continually be reassessed and their progress tracked. Once an offender is released, CI will work with the Employment Security Department to study their successful re-entry into the workforce.

CI is dedicated to successful offender re-entry. By taking this extra step, CI is able to reach a large number of offenders at locations throughout the state and give them the confidence they need to be successful not only while on the job, but in day-to-day life.