844-897-3935What 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
Why this new approach?
Schools, colleges, and universities have limited resources, yet they are seeing a greater demand for speech-to-text services.
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.
To avoid the inherent risk in training their own staff, many institutions turn to third-party companies—commonly known as "agencies"—to provide speech-to-text services. While agencies provide greater flexibility, they can also charge up to 2‐3 times the hourly rate of a freelance or staff transcriber.
It’s time for something new.
How does the Train-to-Hire Program work?
TypeWell identifies regions with a high demand for real-time transcribers and then recruits, trains, and supports candidates through their first semester of on-site transcribing.
Recruiting and training are what we do best! We've done it since 1999.
TypeWell covers all of the upfront costs, which relieves educational institutions of much of the training-related risks.
The educational institution does not pay anything until a trained transcriber is in the classroom providing services.
"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
After the transcriber completes a semester-long practicum under TypeWell’s oversight, the educational institution can then hire the transcriber directly. From start to finish—that is, from the time we train the candidate to the time they're hired by the school—TypeWell oversees the 9-12 month process and then steps back, leaving the institution with a highly-qualified on-site transcriber.
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!