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EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT: WORK READINESS TRAINING Description of the component. Provide a summary of the activities and services. Work Readiness Training consists of coordinated activities such as counseling, job placement services, employment assessment, job seeking skills training, life skills workshops, and information regarding the current labor market. Work Readiness Training gives the client an improved chance of getting and retaining a job by improving job seeking and interviewing skills through training and preparing the customer for the lifestyle changes that may come after beginning a job. Intensive programs that include skill assessment and educational remediation services that prepare individuals for the workforce. Work readiness skills may include both foundational cognitive skills such as reading for information, applied mathematics, locating information, problem solving, and critical thinking and non-cognitive skills, or soft skills, which are defined as personal characteristics and behavioral skills that enhance an individual’s interactions, job performance, and career prospects such as adaptability, integrity, cooperation, and workplace discipline. Indicate the Target Population this component will serve. Select all that apply. ABAWDs Homeless Returning citizens (aka: ex-offenders) Single parents Students Those that reside in rural areas Underemployed Veterans Describe the criteria for participation. Include the skills, knowledge, or experience necessary for participation in the component. For example, literacy or numeracy levels, recent labor market attachment, computer literacy, etc. Individuals who are ready to work but who would benefit from some enhanced and refined techniques related to seeking employment. In their assessment it is shown that they need “soft skills” to be more successful. Will this component be offered statewide? Yes No 1/28/26, 11:56 AM State Plan IL FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-ilfy26stateplan//index.html 61/268