I want to tell you about an idea that struck me in 2005, and which stirred back up to the front of my thoughts in 2008. Today this concept ought to be acted upon with some urgency.
It is a concept than can loosen bounds that might keep the unemployed in their present location, and staying unemployed, while businesses in other areas seek candidates in only their own area, since they cannot afford relocation costs for viable employees. It offers a way that these two -- job seekers and businesses -- to feel realistically comfortable to have a look at each other.
I have presumed that this idea needs to be backed by a federal government initiative, and get support from states, for functional reasons (a tie to paychecks for the repayment of a special, work-related "miniloan"). I am eagerly and broadly seeking support, and feedback or help, from all walks of leadership. This effort is still very much in its early stages. If you believe the following idea holds some merit, and if you could offer active support for this effort in some manner, I would deeply, humbly appreciate it.
It is a simple concept that will bring some greater flexibility to job seekers. I have begun calling it "GT Work" -- a reference to GT, or "grand touring," cars. The concept has to do with giving people a route to being able to hit the road to take a job, even if their savings and family assistance is gone. The idea is also known as the "Get To Work" program (thus, "GT Work" for short, as a catchy, illustrative name for the idea/program).
What is the GT Work concept?
It is an idea that could help the U.S. economy get going again, one new or relocated employee at a time. It will help workers and employers, one employment-pegged loan at a time.
The goal of the GT Work program is to take care of some costs of a move, in order to allow someone who is out of financial resources to take a good job in a distant location. It offers a short-term loan of money to afford that move. The goal is to have that loan paid back within six months in most cases, within a year in any case.
For GT Work to become a true program, the government has got to be behind it. There are some very good reasons for that. Primarily, because the loan would preferably be paid back by coming directly out of the lessee's paycheck, making the idea a way to cultivate jobs, not bad loans.
Right now it is an idea based on thoughtful inspiration in the midst of one man's dire work situation in 2005. In 2009, with things as they are -- economic crisis, jobs in crisis, finance in crisis, companies in crisis -- he believes the time has come for this idea. Now is the time for you to help him engage the idea, it is hopes, for the benefit of struggling workers, families, financial companies, employers, and government -- for all involved.
Please do not regard this as a welfare program, as it is not. It is an idea intended to only permit loans to people so they may get to a new job in a new location, which benefits both the employer and the new employee and his family. Please inquire for more information, though currently, the effort is at the level where I am trying to draw the consideration of government leaders, and their offices, to this concept.
The concept will create three things that you can appreciate:
⁃ GT Work is a route for the unemployed to get to new jobs in new locations, even when they are cash poor. In this, it creates for employers -- any businesses -- the capacity to more readily consider distant candidates, when they might be cautious of these candidates, otherwise. It does not open a new door, but it opens an existing door much wider, and effectively allows employers to look farther out from their door for candidates. The distance, depending on sensible criteria such as job income and moving needs, could vary from 3,600 miles (NY to CA, for instance) to a mere 30 miles.
⁃ GT Work enables government to provide a non-welfare way to help people get to jobs. Such a way that DOES NOT EXIST today for the vast majority of professionals and skilled workers. Gone are the days were most jobs include relocation assistance. In fact, the vast majority of professional, non-executive jobs do not include this. Certain consultants, executives, employed specialists, yes, they can get these benefits from a company, but not an unemployed professional. When savings, family and friends, and other factors are unable to support a move, one is essentially stuck where they are in many ways. Unemployment compensation, in most cases, will not sustain the cost of a move, as it typically equals minimum wage, for non-labor and a majority of working people.
⁃ GT Work is a way for the government, employers and financial institutions to cultivate broader employment potentiality and candidate-to-job matches by virtue of informing all job seekers/candidates of these short-term, employment-pegged loans. It creates real flexibility for both companies and job seekers. It creates flexibility, loan income, and is a small way to better the economy, by giving everyone a little room to be able to get to work.
I hope you'll contact me, or in some way give me your support for the GT Work concept. I think you might agree, as I feel, that this idea can work only properly with the support of government.
After I can gain some warming to the idea from government, this can instantly lead to those involved with me (in government and wherever else support is gained) to seek support in the financial sector, which would be, as I envision it, the agent that would provide the means to making these loans happen. In this, I see a cooperative, positive effort that involves government and banks, that then supports the mobility of people who need to work. I think it is a positive thing for all concerned.
The third major step, in the process of turning this concept into something that helps people literally get to work, would be advising employers that this program exists, so they may consider it as a sort of hiring tool. In short, they would need only to mention it to distant candidates for jobs, and the candidates can then look into it only if it is necessary for them.
Then, of course, job seekers must learn of it independent of prospective employers, so that they might be tipped off that there could be assistance for them to find the right job in a new location. I imagine a general campaign, preferably engaged in by the relevant state agencies, to inform job seekers that there is an option for them that will allow them to reach out to jobs that otherwise they might not be able to consider. I have been in media, and I am fairly confident that the media would be interested to do local-based reports about the program, once it is in action.
Ultimately, it will prove to be a win-win for employers and job seekers, and all involved, really. I first need government to consider this idea with me to make it happen.
I hope that I can count on you, in some way, to support this effort in its foundling stage. I eagerly look forward to a response from you and/or your staff. I wish to also encourage you, being my representative, as you see fit, to encourage support from your colleagues in the Florida Senate and the House.
sent in 2008. I didn't get a reply.
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