Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Dignified Work (DW) program?

Dignified Work is a job readiness program that helps you develop the soft skills and learn about entry-level employment in the construction, healthcare, and social services fields. You will gain the confidence and skills you need to develop a winning resume and application by signing up and completing the DW curriculum within three weeks.

Upon program completion, our dedicated job placement team will help connect you with our employer partners to interview you for living wage jobs in construction, healthcare administration, or social work fields.

Dignified Work is a joint initiative of Career Path Services, a Washington state workforce development organization with over 50 years of experience, and WholeStory, a Washington State social purpose company.

What do you mean by “soft skills?”

Unlike the specific technical skills, we need to perform jobs, soft skills have to do with how we communicate, collaborate, navigate challenges and adversity, process information, respond, advocate for ourselves, and create or participate in a work environment in which we can thrive.

Is Dignified Work a job training program?

Dignified Work is a job readiness program that helps job seekers develop critical skills for success at work, and strong industry and occupational awareness about their selected career path. Upon completion of the training, our program team connects graduates with employers for interviews Some of these employers may have on-the-job training as a part of their onboarding process.

What can I expect after I sign up?

Dignified Work consists of three parts, a self-guided online course, an online and a live community platform, and job placement. While you can take the online course at your own pace, it is designed to be completed within three weeks. Each section consists of video tutorials, articles, and reflection assignments. After you complete a section, you will be asked to sign up for a live call to discuss content from that section with our course facilitator and other peers going through the program alongside of you.

How will my information be stored and used?

The email address you provide will be linked to your course curriculum. You may receive texts, phone calls, and emails from DW staff to check in with you, encourage you as you move through the program, and help you register for live calls. Likewise, you are welcome to reach out to us with any questions or concerns at support@dignifiedwork.org.

Upon completion of the program and prior to job placement, you will be asked to provide additional information for the purpose of employment verification.

How does the program work?

When you sign up, you will select a program track (construction, healthcare admin. or social services), and create an account by providing basic information (name, email address, phone number). Each week, you will watch videos, read articles, and participate in community boards and live group calls. This interaction and collaboration with peers who are on a similar career transition journey to yours is a powerful element of the program that distinguishes it from simply consuming content via video and reading.

You will drive your own experience as you are guided by tutorials and our Dignified Work community organizer, who is there to support you through the process of building a strong resume, application, and interviewing techniques to land a living wage job.

What are live calls and when do they happen?

Live calls happen every Friday at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. Pacific time zone on Zoom. One or more of our Dignified Work facilitators hosts each conversation attended by you and your crew. These calls are an essential part of our curriculum. They help you navigate challenges you encounter as you move through your online course, support you to build your WholeStory profile, resume, and answer your questions about potential future job placement in tour chosen occupation.

New participants are encouraged to sign up for the 10:00 a.m. slot, if possible. You will be prompted to sign up for a live call once you reach the end of a section in your curriculum or you can reach out to a DW staff member.

Special scheduling needs can be accommodated on a case-by-case basis, so we encourage you to sign up and reach out to support@dignifiedwork.org with your scheduling questions.

How is Dignified Work different than other reskilling programs?

Most reskilling programs last at least eight weeks and focus on job retraining. Dignified Work was created out of a partnership between the organizations WholeStory and Career Path Services. We believe that your greatest strengths stem from your lived experiences. Together, we will help you highlight your professional and personal attributes so that you can take hold of your narrative on your resume and during your interview.

What do you mean by a living wage? Is that the same thing as minimum wage?

Depending on the state, living wages vary. They are higher than minimum wage jobs. Dignified Work’s goal is to place program graduates into positions that offer wages up to $20/hour.

Who can enroll in Dignified Work?

Dignified Work is open to job seekers aged 18+ in the states of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon.

Does Dignified Work cost anything?

The program is always free for job seekers. It is currently funded by grant funding received through the XPRIZE Rapid Reskilling competition, Team Dignified Work is a Finalist. What are some job opportunities for me once I graduate from the Dignified Work program?

Once you complete your curriculum, you will be paired with someone from our job referral department. Depending on which occupational track you complete you may be eligible to apply for positions such as:

Medical Administration

Direct Support Professional
Patient Experience Specialist
Medical Secretary
Medical Records and Billing
Medical Assistant

Social Services

Housing Social Services Coordinator
Employment program assistant
Peer navigator
Guest resource specialist
Communications Coordinator
Frontline Homeless Shelter Staff
Social service program assistant

Construction

Drop Crew Laborer
Equipment Operator
Toolman
Site Work Laborer
Form Setter
Apprentice (various)
Flagger