BEST OF THE BEST RECOGNITION
Students from Senior Living Communities' Explore program.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Company: Senior Living Communities Program: Explore
Senior Living Communities inspires youth to pursue careers in senior living through its Explore program, a community outreach initiative that exposes middle school and high school students to career opportunities in the industry. The key tenets of this pro- gram are identifying talent at a young age, exposing those students to the wide scope of the senior living field, and helping to spark a passion-driven career. “We are so proud of this program as it strives to reach the hearts of future employees and ignite a passion for employment within this industry,” says Neris- sa Nelson, vice president of human resources for Senior Living Communities. Explore is the first step of an innovative
three-part program established by Senior Liv- ing Communities to expand and enhance its or- ganizational development structure. Step two is Elevate, a scholarship program open to all team members to further their career opportunities. Step three is Evolve, a training track that in- forms and educates current management staff about the executive director position.
38 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE / ISSUE 2 2017 The Explore program has been success-
fully piloted on both the community and corporate level. In 2012, Osprey Village, an Amelia Island, Florida, Senior Living Communities property, pioneered the Ex- plore program by fostering relationships with three local high schools. Since then, the program has continued to thrive. More than 50 students have taken part in the Explore program to date. In addition, the home of- fice partnered with a local charter school to expose five high schoolers to the operational side of senior living. Through working with local middle and
high schools and their respective guidance counselors, Senior Living Communities team members across various departments share the benefits and impact of their jobs. Inter- ested students are encouraged to tour the community with the goal of finding a position they can shadow that aligns with their career goals. After shadowing, the students provide hands-on care or services under close super- vision. For example, one student researched ways to communicate eco-friendly initiatives within the company and recommended new ways to be more “green.” Students are often unaware of the variety
of career paths available within the senior living industry. Senior Living Communities
representatives recently gave presentations at two middle school career fairs. More than 600 students listened to the presentations, and the majority were surprised to learn that nursing is not the only career opportu- nity available in senior living. Demographic trends have created an
ideal environment for the Explore, Elevate, and Evolve programs. “Millennials and Generation Z team members are drawn to careers with growth, mentoring, and the ability to make a difference,” Nelson says. “Continuing to prepare for Generation Z team members is imperative because unlike millennials, they are more likely to be loyal and drawn to stability.” Over the course of the next year, the
Explore program will expand into all oth- er Senior Living Communities properties, starting with Summit Hills in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Future phases of the pro- gram include partnering with vocational colleges and veteran work initiatives. Nelson says that beyond developing a fu-
ture workforce, the program impacts youth in a way that can’t be measured. “One of the biggest intangible benefits is that middle and high school students will no longer pass by our gates without understanding our pas- sion to serve our members.”
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