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Jobs program for people trapped in unemployment

August 12, 2012 3:06 PM

The chances of finding a job are grim for the nearly four million long term unemployed in the U.S., but Joe Carbone is looking to change that in his Connecticut town. Scott Pelley reports.

Jobs program for people trapped in unemployment

60 Minutes OverTimeDiscrimination against the unemployed

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by NMfromNJ October 5, 2012 7:16 PM EDT
My career has been a nightmare since 2007. 3 jobs in 5 1/2 years and unemployed for a little over 2 years. I'm feeling more and more despair and am losing hope. I'm 56 and I need a Joe Carbone!!!
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by theseed1 September 10, 2012 3:32 AM EDT
I believe that this is another ineffective attempt to rah!rah! the discouraged, diappointed, and depressed unemployed. I have been unemployed since 7/2006. I watched the numbers grow and the impact they have had on ALL facets of society. How can I know this? Because I made the decision early to empower myself and not be those who have the condition "surplus powerlessness". Since that choice was made I have "edited" my life so that I can be effective at eliminating as much pain & suffering as possible with the little life I have left to make a difference with the skills & talents I was blessed with.
I am currently retired with no debt and now feel that in light of current injustices and overwelming odds against the poor, it is important to push the third basic requirement to survival - food. Three minutes of air. three days of water & three weeks of food or one dies.
Therefore, with "everything on the table" being touted these days i.e. food stamps, I propose that the people be encouraged to plant drought-tolerant perennial fruit trees and food producing plants EVERYWHERE! That includes city parks where water is wasted on plants that beautify and produce nothing to eat. In state parks where the homeless can be encouraged to steward and care for food-producing plants rather than close them due to budget cuts. What harm can come on Arbor Day to give the public the opportunity to plant fruit trees. A baby step is better than no step.
I currently travel up and down the west coast volunteering at urban community gardens to help provide food banks with fresh, unsprayed food to those who may be kept out of expensive hospitals as a result. I throw "love bombs" that contain what is necessary for a plant to begin growing in ANY ground that is left unattended long enough.
I don't want any attention to be drawn to me that may prevent or hamper my efforts. My only wish is that I have planted yet another seed in the fertile ground of the mind.
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by JaneRubyCA August 23, 2012 6:04 PM EDT
Thank you to 60 Minutes for an excellent piece. Balanced, sensitive, honest, relevant to so many, and very well produced.

I almost cried when I heard the statement, "This is not about a job, this is about my dignity" last Sunday on TV, and it got me again watching the rerun here. With relief -- because that's so beautifully and simply stated. What a fantastic program.

The palpable sense of failure from John Carbone, while the 70 placed are celebrating success, is touching and telling. There's still a long way to go, as he states. I wanted to give him a hug, and I want to find out how I can be part of an organization like this in my state (California).
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by changshageorge78 August 23, 2012 9:09 AM EDT
This 60 Minute segment on the long term unemployed, particularly among the professional middle class in our country was for me emotionally touching. I'm sure for those who have lost their jobs among the poorest of workers in our nation and are looking for meaningful work, is even more of a challenge for them in todays economy.

I have been out of work for two years, I know only to well the sense of lost in personal confidence and one's feeling of well being in not finding relevant employment. I commend those who participated in Joe Carbone's training and intership program for their courage in sticking with it and to pursue new beginnings. I feel there's hope with this kind of innovative problem solving that Joe Carbone offers in skill building for the long term unemployed. However, it should also be recognized as a viable opportunity for private industry to substantially add value to their workforce with seasoned professional workers.

The Carbone approach is inspiring and we need more of it! I'm strongly convinced that his program has shown its potential as an excellent proactive model to reintroduce the long term unemployed professional back into the workforce. And that it could serve as a successful model for others in all vocational fields, who have been without work on a long term basis and who want to work and deserve an opportunity for meaningful employment.

Our congressional representatives should take a hard look at Joe Carbone's approach and promote programs, which address the issues of the long term unemployed. The time is now for our whole country to reinvest in its sense of social values, compassion and resources back into the American worker.
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by changshageorge78 August 23, 2012 9:06 AM EDT
This 60 Minute segment on the long term unemployed, particularly among the professional middle class in our country was for me emotionally touching. I'm sure for those who have lost their jobs among the poorest of workers in our nation and are looking for meaningful work, is even more of a challenge for them in todays economy.

I have been out of work for two years, I know only to well the sense of lost in personal confidence and one's feeling of well being in not finding relevant employment. I commend those who participated in Joe Carbone's training and intership program for their courage in sticking with it and to pursue new beginnings. I feel there's hope with this kind of innovative problem solving that Joe Carbone offers in skill building for the long term unemployed. However, it should also be recognized as a viable opportunity for private industry to substantially add value to their workforce with seasoned professional workers.

The Carbone approach is inspiring and we need more of it! I'm strongly convinced that his program has shown its potential as an excellent proactive model to reintroduce the long term unemployed professional back into the workforce. And that it could serve as a successful model for others in all vocational fields, who have been without work on a long term basis and who want to work and deserve an opportunity for meaningful employment.

Our congressional representatives should take a hard look at Joe Carbone's approach and promote programs, which address the issues of the long term unemployed. The time is now for our whole country to reinvest in its sense of social values, compassion and resources back into the American worker.
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by ns1958 August 18, 2012 10:15 PM EDT
I live in Fairfield County and saw the feature the first time it got aired on Platform to Employment on 60 Minutes. I called and inquired about the program when I was still on unemployment but was about to exhaust benefits in a three months. I too was in a career with the same company for 28 years and lost my position due to a corporate downsize. Needless to say I am in the same boat as everyone that has posted before me as I just turned 54 years and have found getting a job virtually impossible, even a temp or part-time job. I find now I am faced more with the fear that if I find a position I will fail, as I guess it is a confidence and social issue that faces all of us long term unemployed. There was tremendous publicity over this program and I have talked several times to Mike Morgan about the program. I try to stay positive knowing there will be another round of folks starting the program in mid September 2012 and hope at least I will be picked for the screening for the program's potential candidates. In theory the program is great and for those that get picked it truly is terrific, however, I feel there is not enough of these programs as many are privately funded and there is not enough money to go around for more of them. So I sit waiting for maybe a call for a screening interview thinking many have been called but few are chosen.
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by kbourkney August 15, 2012 7:15 PM EDT
Vocational Rehabilitation can be a resource in some areas that will provide similar support. I started a non-profit job placement company in Central Florida earlier this year and the Govt has provided an opportunity for companies to not just find jobs for people but to provide job placement support. We provide a class that teaches you something very similar to what is viewed in this video. As it says confidence is what lifts you up and the knowledge on how to stand out from the other applicants is how you can gain that boost of self esteem. There are books on the subject in your local book store that can give you a good start. You are now a salesperson so you have to act as that is your profession. Your training is available you just have to put in the effort to learn it. Researching your local Vocational Rehabilitation office is also something that may provide you with the help you need. Designed to assist the disabled however disabilities include depression and anxiety which are the blockers for many. If you would like more information you may email me at kbourkney@employu.org.
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by onthedelaware August 14, 2012 11:20 PM EDT
Joe Carbone is my hero. I can see from the interview how much he understands and it hurts inside. The loss of confidence and the fear that comes with having no job is an ordeal. I took any job I could get and each time worked hard but I head comments about my age. The State gave money for the best job. The company set up a system to get the $4K and had a huge Customer Service area. Then after the required time, the weeded us out. Each incoming group provided more money. I learned to detest that company and what it did to us. When I was one to go, I cried. I learned a good deal about myself, my faith, about how people are exploited and I am grateful now for the very good jobs I have had over the years. Now I am 69. I have given up but I still think I can help others. I am getting together the courage to volunteer to teach reading to adults. I am still afraid the Rescue Mission will turn me down. Takes a long time to leave behind humiliation.
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by Technest August 14, 2012 10:27 PM EDT
Here in Montreal Canada, things aren't looking too rosy either, but I'd like to stick my neck out and say the following which probably applies to everyone in North America. I think the main reason why I haven't been rehired in over 8 months is my age. I have the knowledge, and experience to get back into my field, I think a lot of employers are doing the math and saying, hey, this guys is 54 years old? Okay, who else can we chose? I thought that was against the law. I'd like to see 60 minutes do an undercover sting on that subject, I'm sure you'll catch a ton of employers doing it.
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by ARob54 August 14, 2012 1:59 PM EDT
Thank you for this story. My family saw it and it changed their attitude about my unemployment. Now they understand a bit better what it's like from my end, Other people's anxiety over the unemployed person's situation can cause terrible rifts in families. Until they understand the situation "out there." the person who's out of work takes the blame for being out of work.


During one + year of unemployment. It's shocking how fast my skills have fallen behind. I'm 58 years of age and have a Masters Degree; I'm planning on going back to school to become a teacher - if I can afford the tuition. The idea of an apprenticeship in professional fields is long overdue.

Wish we had this program in Massachusetts. Maybe I should move to Connecticut.
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