Glossary

All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Acronyms

  • Safety, Health, and Environmental
    Implements personal and jobsite safety rules and regulations to maintain safe and healthful working conditions and environments. Completes work tasks in accordance with employee rights and responsibilities and employers obligations to maintain workplace safety and health. Employs emergency procedures as necessary to provide aid in workplace accidents. Employs knowledge of response techniques to create a disaster and/or emergency response plan.
  • Satellite Site

    ​WIA-funded career center other than a comprehensive (One Stop) center.

  • Scenario
    An imagined sequence of possible events, or an imagined set of circumstances.
  • Science and Technology Application
    Applies basic scientific principles and technology to complete tasks.
  • Science and Technology Comprehension
    Understands basic scientific principles and to use commonly available technology. Understands the scientific method (i.e., identifies problems, collects information, forms opinions and draws conclusions). Understands overall intent and proper procedures for set-up and operation of equipment.
  • Sector
    The terms industry and sector are often used interchangeably to describe a group of companies that operate in the same segment of the economy or share a similar business type. Although the terms are commonly used interchangeably, they do, in fact, have slightly different meanings. This difference pertains to their scope; a sector refers to a large segment of the economy, while the term industry describes a much more specific group of companies or businesses.
  • Seeing the Big Picture
    Has broad knowledge and perspective. Pieces together seemingly unrelated data to identify patterns and trends and to see a bigger picture. Understands the pieces of a system as a whole and appreciates the consequences of actions on other parts of the system. Possesses a big-picture view of the situation.
  • Seeks Feedback
    Proactively seeks feedback and responds positively to constructive criticism. Absorbs feedback and seeks new ways to perfect behavior or performance. Easily redirected to appropriate behavior. Reflects on feedback and defers immediate judgment.
  • Selecting Tools
    Selects and applies appropriate tools or technological solutions to frequently encountered problems. Carefully considers which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, and consistently chooses the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand. Uses Personal Information Management (PIM) applications to increase workplace efficiency. Employs technological tools to expedite workflow.
  • Self-Control
    Can suppress own reaction and remedy difficult individuals or situations with a calm and non-defensive manner. Keeps personal matters from interfering and maintains top performance.
  • Self-Employment
    Earning one's living in one's own business or through freelance work, rather than as the employee of another. Citation
  • Sets Challenging Goals
    Establishes and maintains personally challenging but realistic work goals. Exerts effort toward task mastery. Brings issues to closure by pushing forward until a resolution is achieved.
  • Setting an Example
    Sets an example for others by acting in ways that are consistent with organizational goals and objectives. Confronts behavior that undermines the reputation of the organization.
  • Setting Performance Goals
    Helps employees set performance goals. In consultation with employees, sets goals that are clear, specific and attainable. Informs employees of deadlines for goal attainment.
  • Sexual Intimidation/Harassment
    Workplace harassment consists of unwelcome and repeated sexual advances, comments, looks, physical contact, stereotyping, or requests for sexual favors. Or, any such act not clearly sexual in nature when (1) submission to such act is made a term or condition of employment, (2) submission to rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for an employment-related decision affecting the individual, or (3) such conduct has the purpose of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s performance, or of creating a hostile, intimidating or offensive work environment. Citation
  • Share Only
    Your redistributing comes with some restrictions. Do not remix or make derivative works.
  • Shared Pathways (*)
    Common courses taken that cut across multiple clusters and pathways.
  • Shift Work
    Effectively coordinates the transition of employees at the beginning and end of each work shift. Disseminates crucial information in an organized manner to rapidly bring employees up to speed at the start of their shifts. Ensures that employees are updated on work completed on past shifts and work that still needs to be completed.
  • Shortcut
    A means of quickly ordering a computer to perform a complicated function, e.g. an icon on a computer screen or a short series of keystrokes.
  • Short-Term Goals

    Goals that can be completed in 1 to 3 months. They may include:

    • Applying for financial aid
    • Calculating monthly budget
    • Creating a resume
  • Shows Up on Time
    Demonstrates regular and punctual attendance. Rarely is late for meetings or appointments.
  • Situational Awareness
    Understands the organization’s mission and functions. Recognizes one’s role in the functioning of the company and understands the potential impact one’s own performance can have on the success of the organization. Grasps the potential impact of the company’s well-being on employees. Identifies how the company functions within the broad world of business, industry, and service. Understands the necessity and benefits/disadvantage of organizational change.
  • SKILLS Profiler
    A tool that will help you identify your present job skills, identify occupations that match those skills, understand what skills are required for a given occupation, and determine what training and skills you need for a particular job.
  • SOC
    Occupational classification system used by statistical agencies to classify workers into occupational categories for the purpose of collecting, calculating, and disseminating data.
  • Social Media
    Social media within the professional realm is about return on engagement and connecting with people. The key is to create a community of users through dialogue in a space that may not otherwise occurred, and they use the momentum built with your new audience to connect them to your program.
  • Social Service Agency

    ​Where individuals go to seek assistance and to be connected to information to prepare to find a job, plan for a career, identify education and training opportunity, or connect to work support services

  • Soft Skills
    Cluster of personal qualities, habits, attitudes, and social graces that make individuals good employees and compatible co-workers (work ethic, attitude, communication, time management, problem solving, teamwork, self-confidence, etc.).
  • Soliciting Feedback
    Solicits feedback from multiple sources during and following task completion to ensure employee tasks are performed correctly, and to learn how employee and team performance can be improved. Conscientiously monitors downstream consequences of work to ensure tasks are completed correctly and have intended consequences.
  • Solution
    Answer or suggestion to try and solve a question or problem. A solution can be either simple or complex, and may require few resources or many resources. Citation
  • Sounds
    Uses sounds to indicate that you are attending to the other person. Sounds such as ahhh, ummm, ohhh, used along with eye and facial gestures, communicate understanding and emotional connection. These sounds can convey interest, understanding and compassion.
  • Southeast

    ​This region includes the following counties: Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Lawrence, Marion, Moultrie, and Richland.

  • Southern

    ​This region includes the following counties: Alexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne, White, and Williamson.

  • Southwest

    ​This region includes the following counties: Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, and Washington.

  • Space
    Stands an appropriate distance from the other person. Consider the context of the situation. Some situations are more formal than others.
  • Spam

    ​Mass mailing over the Internet by sending promotional messages to practically everyone whose e-mail address is known, without asking permission.

  • Speaking
    Participates in group or team discussions. Engages in conversations with co-workers, supervisors, and clients. Expresses/presents information to individuals or groups taking into account the audience and the nature of the information (e.g., technical or controversial); speaks clearly and confidently; organizes information in a logical manner; speaks using common English conventions including proper grammar, tone and pace; tracks audience responses and reacts appropriately to those responses; effectively uses eye contact and non-verbal expression. Can have a two-way conversation building on information obtained during the conversation.
  • Specialized Centers

    1. LWIBs may designate a specialized center to meet the needs of a specific population, such as youth, veterans, or individuals with disabilities; key industry sectors or clusters (20 CFR 678.320, 34 CFR 361.320, and 34 CFR 463.320); or a specific group of dislocated workers affected by a regional lay-off.

    2. Specialized centers need not provide access to every required partner, but should be knowledgeable about, and prepared to make referrals to, partners in the comprehensive or affiliate one-stop centers.

    3. As described in the "Affiliate Centers" section above, Wagner-Peyser employment services cannot stand alone in a specialized center and must include other programs besides Wagner-Peyser Act employment services, local veterans' employment representatives, disabled veterans' outreach program specialists, and unemployment compensation.

    4. Specialized centers must connect, physically or technologically, to a comprehensive center and any appropriate affiliate centers (20 CFR 678.320).

    5. Partner services provided through specialized one-stop centers must be determined by partner negotiations at the local level and incorporated into the MOU.

  • Spenddown
    The Spenddown Program helps some people who have too much income or too many assets (like bank accounts and other resources) to qualify for other HFS Medical Programs. If they have medical bills or receipts for recent payments they made for medical care, they may qualify under Spenddown to get a medical card to pay for some of their care.
  • Spreadsheets
    Uses spreadsheet software to enter, manipulate, edit, and format text and numerical data. Effectively creates and saves worksheets, charts, and graphs that are well organized, attractive, and useful.
  • Standard Occupational Classification
    Occupational classification system used by statistical agencies to classify workers into occupational categories for the purpose of collecting, calculating, and disseminating data.
  • STAR

    ​Through the use of new evidence-based reading strategies, many adult education learners are being able to finally experience the joy of reading for the first time in their lives.

  • States' Career Cluster Initiative
    The States' Career Cluster Initiative consists of 16 career clusters representing career opportunities for the 21st century economy identified by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education. These clusters frame student opportunities as they pursue postsecondary education and a wide range of career opportunities from career beginnings to professional and managerial careers.
  • Student Achievement in Reading

    ​Through the use of new evidence-based reading strategies, many adult education learners are being able to finally experience the joy of reading for the first time in their lives.

  • Success Story
    A true life account regarding individuals, businesses, or other organizations helped by WIOA or by other special programs.
  • Sunshine Law (provision)
    The State and local boards shall make available to the public, on a regular basis through open meetings, information regarding the activities of the State and/or local boards, including information regarding the State or local plans prior to submission of the plans, information regarding membership, and, on request, minutes of formal meetings of the State and local boards. In addition, local boards shall make available to the public, the designation and certification of one-stop operators, and the award of grants or contracts to eligible providers of youth activities, and on request, minutes of formal meetings of the local board.
  • Supervision
    Needs moderate or minimal supervision to complete tasks. Shows effort to accept direction and constructive criticism with a positive attitude. Uses feedback to improve work performance. Consistently accepts direction and constructive criticism with positive attitude. Uses feedback to improve work performance, and provides new and useful ideas to employer.
  • Supports Learning
    Provides support and encouragement during learning process. Expresses confidence that employees will be able to learn a new procedure or skill.