844-897-3935Please note: We are not currently taking on new Train-to-Hire sites or candidates.
What is the Train-to-Hire Program?
This is a new approach to training on-site transcribers to work in the classroom, geared toward cities/regions where there is a high demand for speech-to-text communication access.
TypeWell successfully piloted the train-to-hire program at three different colleges/universities in three different cities in 2017 and 2018. Those institutions previously relied on agencies to fill most (or all) of their transcription needs. They now have on-site transcribers in place and are seeing significant cost savings as a result.
"I’ve enjoyed my time in the TypeWell Train-to-Hire program and feel that it is adequately preparing me to work independently at any school. The initial self-training and mentorship program has prepared me for all types of classroom situations. And whenever I have a question or need any help, TypeWell is quick to help and offer excellent advice."
— Sydni Porter, Train-to-Hire Graduate
Stop Struggling to Find Qualified Transcribers
Transcription services can be a vital accommodation for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, but recruiting and training transcribers is not typically the job of disability service coordinators. If you're a disability service coordinator at a post-secondary institution, or a K-12 special educator, you know how challenging it can be to recruit and train transcribers. It takes time, resources, and expertise that you may not have. Plus, there's always the risk that the person you hire won't work out.
That's where our train-to-hire program comes in. We take on the upfront risk and expense of recruiting and training transcribers so you don't have to. Our program provides you with one or more qualified transcribers ready to work when you need them.
Why This New Approach?
Traditionally, when educational institutions "sponsor" candidates to complete our Basic Skills Course, they assume the full risk of financial investment, time, and human resources. The sponsoring institutions have no guarantee that their candidates will successfully complete the training, nor that the trained transcribers will work for them long enough to recoup the investment.
Many institutions turn to third-party companies (commonly called "agencies") to provide outsourced speech-to-text services. While agencies provide greater flexibility, they typically charge 2‐3 times the hourly rate of a freelance or staff transcriber. Plus, most agencies can only provide remote speech-to-text services, rather than on-site providers.
It’s time for something new.
How does the Train-to-Hire Program work?
We recruit candidates who meet our rigorous standards for accuracy and speed and provide them with comprehensive training on the tools and techniques needed to transcribe in real-time. We then work with you to provide a semester-long Train-to-Hire practicum, where our candidates gain hands-on experience in a live setting, working alongside experienced transcribers at your institution.
If you don't have any experienced transcribers on your team yet, we can provide a remote teaming experience, where the on-site, Train-to-Hire transcriber would "team" a class with a more experienced transcriber who joins the class remotely.
Recruiting and training are what we do best! We've done it since 1999.
During the practicum semester, we conduct remote observations and mentoring for the new transcriber, providing supplemental training courses and mentoring that other transcribers do not typically receive.
The educational institution does not pay anything until a trained transcriber is in the classroom providing services.
Once they've completed their practicum and demonstrated their skills, we present the Train-to-Hire transcriber to you as a potential hire. You can evaluate their work and decide whether to bring them onto your team. And because we've already invested in their training, you can be confident that they have the skills and expertise you need.
"The Train-to-Hire program works. I went from having no transcribing experience in the fall of 2017 to being comfortable providing on-site real-time communication access services as soon as classes began in January 2018. Having weekly check-ins and additional readiness assignments with a mentor during the Basic Skills Course was key during that early stage. Knowing that I had support and access to the core TypeWell team from day 1 made it easier to tackle the training challenges with confidence."
— Samantha Lange, Train-to-Hire Graduate
From start to finish—that is, from the time we initially recruit and train the candidate to the time they're hired by your institution—TypeWell oversees this 9-12 month process and works closely with you to make sure the Train-to-Hire transcriber is fully prepared to support your students.
The primary goals of the Train-to-Hire Program are:
- Increase the supply of on-site transcribers for schools, colleges, and universities that need to provide speech-to-text services for their students.
- Continually improve the quality of TypeWell transcription services that students are receiving.
- Identify highly-qualified candidates and recruit them into this rewarding and meaningful profession by providing paid training and support.
"I feel that working directly with TypeWell from the beginning enabled me to learn industry-standard practices first, before my transition to a specific school or location. While each company or university usually has its own preferences, I was easily able to add and adapt those preferences to a sound foundation of knowledge. As a result, I am much more confident as a transcriber."
— Chris Ewing, Train-to-Hire Graduate
Is the Train-to-Hire Program right for you?
To speak directly with other postsecondary service coordinators who participated in the train-to-hire program, please contact us for references!