Partners in the Social Enterprise Employment Network (SEEN) Program pose at Chukchansi Park in Fresno following the program's kickoff convening. The program aims to place 90 job seekers with local employers by December. Fresno EDC photo

Denham Resources, a leading staffing and human resources consulting firm in Fresno, has partnered with the Fresno County Economic Development Corp. to give local employers access to pre-screened employees at no wage cost.

The SEEN (Social Enterprise Employment Network) is a public-private collaboration between the Fresno EDC and Social Finance, a national nonprofit and investment advisor. SEEN is launching across Fresno, Kings, Madera, and Tulare counties.

The program pairs employers with job-ready workers for up to 90 days at no wage cost. Employers maintain full control over training, supervision and hiring decisions.

Denham Resources was selected through a competitive request for proposal process to lead employer placements for the program. The SEEN program is launching with its first 10 candidates and is limited to a total of 90 participants.

Candidates entering the program are screened through partners with Employment Social Enterprise, a grant initiative aimed at designing, developing and implementing programs that promote job training opportunities and transitional employment.

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Candidates are personally interviewed, assessed and matched by Denham Resources.

Participants receive job readiness training, hands-on work experience and ongoing support before and during placement.

Wages are funded through the program, and payroll, taxes and workers’ compensation are handled by Denham Resources. Employers provide supervision, training and day-to-day direction.

The goal of the SEEN program is to create a pathway to long-term, unsubsidized employment—ideally with the host employer.

Joe Denham, vice president of Denham Resources, said the RFP process started last August, and they placed their first candidate in December. Denham Resources has about 20 candidates available. About half are placed with employers.

The goal is to place 90 people with employers by December.

Participating organizations include Fresno Area Community Enterprises, Hope Now For Youth, Goodwill Industries of San Joaquin Valley, Neighborhood Industries, Reading and Beyond, The Light House Women’s Recovery Center and others.

The program provides significant cost savings to employers, he said.

“Other programs that have been like this—you have to pay the people and submit for reimbursement, which can take a long time and hassles and paperwork,” Denham said. “This is unique that they’re running it like a temporary service. It’s a lot more streamlined and easier for companies.”

The program serves people facing barriers to employment, including justice system-involved individuals, long-term unemployed, older workers, people with disabilities and veterans.

Initial placements will prioritize roles in professional and financial services, transportation, distribution and logistics, manufacturing and construction.

Denham will provide behavioral-based interview and candidate matching, skills testing tailored to the employer, culture and fit evaluation, ongoing follow-up and support for up to four years.

Denham said they are trying to avoid minimum wage positions and are looking for placements that are good for people in the long run.

Denham said the firm chose to enroll in the program to continue their involvement with the community.

“Having a good job can change a person’s life generationally,” Denham said. “It’s very exciting to be a part of this because it’s what we do with our normal work, but with the added benefit of really changing people’s lives.”

Qualified employers interested in adding staff through the SEEN Program should contact Denham Resources directly to determine eligibility and position approval.