Strive Israel

General
STRIVE Israel is an innovative social program designed to foster financial independence and rewarding career choices among Israelis .
STRIVE Israel provides people with tools to help them realize their true individual and professional potential.

Program Founders
STRIVE Israel is the flagship program of the TEVET Employment Initiative—a joint development of the Israeli government and JDC Israel.

Program Partners
Municipalities of Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem
Leumi Tomorrow: The Centennial Fund for Endowing Israel's Future Generations
The Special Projects Fund of the National Insurance Institute
Shalmor Avnon Amihai Y&R Advertising Ltd

Program Development
STRIVE Israel is modeled after its counterpart program in the United States, which was implemented in 1985 and has been successfully replicated in 31 countries. Informed by the experiences of these efforts, Israeli researchers have modified the program to reflect the cultural, social, and financial conditions in Israel. In particular, the researchers have developed unique program components based on data accumulated in the area of excellence in the workplace.

Guidance Throughout
We believe that each person has hidden potential; STRIVE Israel’s role is to give him/her the tools to achieve it. Over the last two and a half years, each program participant has received guidance from a STRIVE staff member who is professional, skilled, and very familiar with the job market. Each participant is also assigned a personal mentor who serves as both career coach and resource for resolving personal and professional issues. Even after the program has ended, STRIVE provides assistance to past participants when needed throughout their lives.

Program Stages
Methodology that Effects Change.
Real change takes time. We believe that each person has hidden potential and our role is to give him/her the tools to realize it. We believe that the program’s two-and-a-half year time frame allows for participants to acquire the necessary personal and professional skills to be effective in today’s job market. The program consists of the following stages:

Stage One > Core Training Program
This is an intensive month-long workshop emphasizing personal development and the tools needed to integrate in—and excel at—a job. We work on developing personal skills, learning how to cope with challenges, and setting ambitious goals, as well as fundamental technical job skills to meet the demands of the job market, including basic computer literacy.
In addition, we present participants with an in-depth, comprehensive picture of the modern workplace and the skills required to excel in it, starting from the stage of searching for work to how to properly integrate into an organization and advance within it.

Stage Two > Job Placement
Upon completion of the Core Training Program, the placement division of STRIVE Israel helps participants find work suited to their skills and talents. Our emphasis at this stage is to provide tools that contribute to a fast and stable adjustment to the workplace.
Many employers have already been exposed to the training process of STRIVE Israel and currently employ program graduates. Our list of partner employers grows daily.

Stage Three > Ofek ("Horizon") Course for Workplace Excellence
At this stage, the primary aim is to ensure that our participants excel on the job and integrate successfully into a new organization. To achieve this, STRIVE Israel provides higher level skill-building and professional guidance, starting with the Ofek ("Horizon") Course for Workplace Excellence.
The Ofek Course emphasizes tools for performing strongly within an organization. The goal of the course is to help participants create continuity and momentum for the development of a powerful and rewarding career path.

Stage Four> Personal Coaching >
In addition to group meetings, a personal coach designs an individualized mentoring program for each participant that includes regular consultations in person and over the phone. Personal guidance is provided to each participant throughout the entire training process.

Stage Five > Employment Guidance
At the employment guidance stage, STRIVE assists participants in defining clear employment goals that match their personality, professional talents, and individual needs as well as the personal circumstances with which they are coping.
Participants are invited to undergo the process of employment guidance once they have met all program requirements, including participation in the Ofek Course for Workplace Excellence, regular meetings with their personal mentor, and a minimum period of three months of continuous employment. An experienced employment counselor facilitates the process, which includes three meetings with the counselor, a day of testing (including a psycho-technical evaluation), and analysis of employment preferences and abilities. All evaluations are held at the STRIVE guidance centers.

Stage Six > Professional Trainingt
At the conclusion of the employment guidance stage, participants choose a professional training program appropriate to their individual talents and interests, as well as job market demand. The decisions are made in consultation with a participant’s personal mentors and the program placement staff. Training at this stage can take anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the profession. At the conclusion of the training course, participants receive a certificate recognized and respected by prospective employers.
We believe that in order to excel and advance in the workplace, every employee needs to be in a process of constant learning. To that end, STRIVE combines employment with continuing education opportunities in the afternoons and evenings.

Placement Services for Employers
Maybe you don’t need to place a want ad ?
STRIVE Israel offers you free placement services from a varied and first-rate pool of professional and motivated employees. Placement staff will help you find the candidate best suited for you.
The Placement Division is composed of professionals in the field who will find candidates that meet your requirements. A résumé alone is not enough for us! We carry out extensive testing and build a reliable profile of each candidate’s talents.

Guidance Centers
STRIVE Israel consists of three guidance centers. Each center begins a new track every two months. Young adults ages 21-40 who are currently unemployed and have not yet earned an undergraduate degree are invited to visit the center closest to them to learn about the program and submit an application.

STRIVE Tel Aviv-Yafo – opened in January 2006 STRIVE Haifa – opened in January 2007 STRIVE Jerusalem – opened in November 2008

The program is operated in conjunction with the international STRIVE program
www.striveinternational.org


Success Stories of STRIVE Participants
Speech given at the “Moving Towards Success” Conference for STRIVE Israel participants.
A while ago I heard a rumor about a new program about to start. I was told it is a unique program that will make significant change in our lives. The change starts within us, I was told.
In the beginning, we [the prospective participants] had our doubts. Realizing a career and developing personal skills sounded to us like concepts from another planet. We didn’t believe it was possible, but we decided to give change a chance anyway. Our expectations were not high, because we didn’t believe it was possible to turn dreams into reality. Financial independence? Realizing individual potential? Career? Each of these sounded to us like an unattainable goal.
At the participants’ meeting before the program, we began to understand that there really is a place that offers a response. There is a guiding hand, a hand that holds ours on the path towards our goals. We decided to make a change and registered for the STRIVE program.
In the beginning we became accustomed to lifestyle changes, but not too much. We adjusted to a new way of life: time management, proper attire for our new, honorable status. A beginning, a path that begins within us and never ends—step after step toward actualizing a vision on a path laden with obstacles and pitfalls, but also containing endless satisfaction.
The lack of self-confidence and belief in our abilities that accompanied us for years gradually faded, thanks to the wonderful people who believed in us and offered a supportive shoulder to those coming because of a dream of altering life patterns that seemed impervious to change. A parachute was provided at every lift off; a hand extended at every fall. With a loving smile, with light in their eyes, someone was always at our side to help us.
Every journey to the top starts with a small step. Suddenly, our existence has changed significantly. Every step we take is guided by belief in ourselves and our capabilities. We conquered the workplace with the tools we acquired. STRIVE participants are now the most skilled workers the job market has to offer. An impressive number of graduates receive an outstanding employee award in their first month on the job.
Our ranks include people who work in high-pressure environments and who pass on valuable information. We have something to give; we have something to offer. We are all skilled employees who strive high, to touch the clouds. Here and now tonight, full of celebration, not a conclusion but rather a beginning, we say a heartfelt thank you; we love you so much. And here we thank you, dear people, the STRIVE family who guides us on our path.
Best of luck and heartfelt thanks

Contact Us
To contact the program:

STRIVE Tel Aviv 03-620-7733
STRIVE Jerusalem 02-625-2496
STRIVE Haifa 04-812-4004
info@striveisrael.org
Naomi Krieger, General Manager, naomi@striveisrael.org