Many organizations, including the military, are facing issues that arise from downsizing workforces. One key issue is outplacement. The research proposed here involves the development of a multimedia career guidance and transition system to help displaced military workers find appropriate employment in the civilian sector. Unlike currently available systems, the proposed system will use the DOL's O*NET database, combined with accurate, efficient assessment of worker characteristics, to help displaced workers locate new occupations that best match their skills, abilities and other work relevant characteristics. Phase I activities include the development of tools for assessing relevant worker characteristics, e.g., skills and abilities, with a focus on self-assessment and assessment based on non-work experiences, e.g., volunteer activities. We will also develop and evaluation a variety of procedures for matching worker characteristics with job requirements. We will develop a software prototype to demonstrate how these tools, along with the O*NET data, can be incorporated into a user friendly, multimedia career guidance system to provide displaced workers with the guidance and information they need to identify appropriate jobs and/or training opportunities. Finally, we will develop detailed specifications for the development, evaluation and refinement of a fully functional career guidance system during Phase II.
