rv 2014: developing workforce opportunities with transit- regional stories by janet guthrie
DESCRIPTION
Developing Workforce Opportunities with Transit: Regional Stories 3 regions = 3 distinct stories. How are workforce initiatives in Denver, Seattle and the Twin Cities helping businesses and economies grow along transit? Leaders from community colleges, cities and counties share their experiences. Models include: a training and employment program for transit construction and operators; a corridor-level model focused on employees and business development and retention; and an innovative approach to developing a food hub employment center near new transit. Moderator: Jennifer Billig, Policy Consultant, Mile High Business Alliance, Denver, Colorado Katrina Wert, Director, Regional Workforce Initiative, Community College of Denver, Colorado Janet Guthrie, Senior Policy Analyst, Ramsey County, Manager's Office, St. Paul, Minnesota Nora Liu, Community Development Manager, Department of Planning & Development, City of Seattle, WashingtonTRANSCRIPT
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Key goals: ! To connect Corridor residents and employers to existing workforce resources ! To better align workforce and economic development in Corridor
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! Residents ◦ Low-income, long-term unemployed, not in training
programs ◦ High %: unemployment, ELL, HHds of color, low-income, no HS Diploma/GED ◦ 5 Corridor communities
! Employers ◦ High starting wages, low skill entry, career-laddering,
corridor presence, current openings, future job projections ◦ Transportation/logistics, manufacturing, health services
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! Focus on disconnected residents ! Peer outreach: trusted community members ! Outreach to employers ! Services in neighborhoods ! Existing workforce resources / tools ! Empowering people: “teach to fish” ! Align Workforce/Economic Development
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Project Team: • Local cities (PED staff) • Local counties (WF, CED, Policy staff) • State government (WF/ED staff) • Regional MPO (grant authority) • Community advocate agencies • Local Foundations
Community (60): • community leaders • nonprofit orgs • faith-based orgs • neighborhood associations • Focus group Facilitator from community
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! Ramsey County, Minneapolis WSAs ! 11 Corridor workforce providers – one staff ! Mn State DEED, Workforce Centers ! Job Connect electronic resource ! Reading Companion (ELL-focus) ! NCRC (National Career Readiness Certificate) ! Libraries ! Peers in “Community Learning Sessions” ! ABE (Adult Basic Ed/GED) and ELL resources
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Low employability High employability
Stable: Housing, child care, transportation, mental health, physical health
ELL, ABE classes to improve: math, reading, language; Use KeyTrain / Reading Companion to study
HS diploma / GED completed; knows what employers expect (“soft skills”, being on time, teamwork, etc.)
Can articulate own skills; knows what jobs are good Pit; has NCRC certiPicate
Resume current; email access; Computer skills; does online applications; has references; uses Job Connect
Knowledge of interviewing; application etiquette, appropriate business attire
Work experience; training / educ. certiPicates; recommendation letters; good communication skills; has and uses strong network;
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! 1,400+ long-term unemployed, low-income residents ! 83% communities of color ! 87% unaware of workforce resources ◦ 679 participated in 62 “Community Learning
Sessions” ◦ 299 registered on Job Connect website ◦ 128 referred to providers ◦ 70 NCRC certificates ◦ 65 employed ◦ 47 attended training
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! 56 Corridor employers (small to mid-size) ◦ Majority unaware of workforce resources ◦ 7 ultimately used NCRC in hiring ◦ 8 reported hiring Corridor residents
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! Residents ! Connectors ! Employers ! Community ! Project Team ! Workforce Providers
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! LRT under construction – not functioning ! Lack awareness of workforce resources ! Employers anticipated little benefit from LRT ! Residents wanted corridor jobs – LRT not
perceived to improve access to jobs ! Geography fostered relationship-building ! Workforce/employer connections disjointed
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! Funders expressed interest in findings/ learning; wants sustainability
! Additional funding for two+ years ! Local workforce dedicated funding ! Local provider took lead role ! Greater focus on training, supports ! Greater outreach involvement of employers ! Greater focus on alignment of systems
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