Transcript Document

Keeping Texas Competitive
Workforce
Development & Libraries
Texas Library Association
April 11, 2014
Speakers
• L.G. Swift, Fort Worth Public Library
• Victor De Leon, Workforce Solutions Lower Rio
Grande Valley
• Norma Fultz, Rio Grande City Public Library
• Don Nuding, LearningExpress, LLC
• Gloria Meraz, Texas Library Association
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT is
• an economic and educational development approach for
enhancing economic stability and prosperity by focusing on
individuals
• essentially a human resources strategy
• evolved from a problem-focused approach, addressing issues
such as low-skilled workers or the need for more employees in
a particular industry, to a holistic approach
• considers participants' many barriers, the overall needs of the
region, and the potential for success of the emerging pool of
workers
(Adapted from Wikipedia – a useful broad definition)
Why we should care…
• Individual and social stability and progress emanate largely
from economic security and education
• Both the public and private sectors rely on qualified and
effective employees to operate, innovate, and succeed.
• As educational institutions, a large part of our mission is to
facilitate the achievement of these goals.
• Workforce development is of keen interest to our
stakeholders – communities, administrators, parents,
businesses, employers, decision makers, costumers, and
students.
Libraries and Workforce Development
From early and family literacy to college and
career readiness –
From job finding to upward mobility –
Libraries of all types are integral in developing
an effective and competitive workforce.
Libraries fulfill economic and
educational outcomes by:
1. Providing programs, technology, educational resources,
and services to people of all ages, students in all areas
and levels of study, and businesses of all types
2. Offering professional staff and facilities that allow
learners to access services and information, either
onsite or remotely.
3. Partnering with other organizations, businesses, &
agencies to broaden opportunities to individuals and
business.
WIN at the library
• Logos, printed
materials
• Presentations
• Resources/website
• Survey
• Sample media
information
WIN
at the Library
Insert
your logo
WIN at the Library
Your
WORKFORCE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS
Our Mission
Insert your
logo
Libraries & Workforce
Workforce development is
Libraries support
• An economic & educational
development approach
• Attempts to enhance
economic stability and
prosperity
• Focuses on individuals
• Shaped by local needs
• Educational and economic
achievement
• Foster lifelong learning and
provide tools for ongoing
readiness for opportunity
• Focus on individuals
• Respond to local needs
Libraries fulfill economic and
educational outcomes by:
1. Providing programs, technology, educational resources,
and services to people of all ages, students in all areas
and levels of study, and businesses of all types
2. Offering professional staff and facilities that allow
learners to access services and information, either
onsite or remotely.
3. Partnering with other organizations, businesses, &
agencies to broaden opportunities to individuals and
business.
Workforce Overview
Texas Civilian Labor Force: 12,917,4001
Texas employment: 12,185,1001
= UNEMPLOYMENT in February 2014: 732,3001
Texas Workforce Commission: 122,645 people per
month served with employment services2
1. February 2014 numbers, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
2. Number is a monthly average based on TWC’s reported
figure of 1,471,741 people (unduplicated) served in 2013.
Well-known Workforce Stakeholders
Texas Workforce Commission
28 Local Workforce Solutions Boards
Businesses
Chambers of Commerce
Workforce NEEDS
Broad Areas of Focus
• Literacy
• Adult Education
• Civics
• Fast Track Programs
• Computer Skills
• Veterans Services
• Support for business
training
Logistical Support
• Facilities
• Fluid hours and access
• Additional outreach
• Personal assistance to
clients in diverse topics
• Additional programs
Programs & Resources at the
library
FREE COMPUTERS & INTERNET ACCESS!
SERVICES
RESOURCES!
• Résumé writing, job searching,
and interviewing training
Identifying your skills & interests
• Literacy
• Support for small businesses
• Computer skills training
• Homework and course support
• Professional mentoring
• Online practice tests for the GED
and certifications exams (EMS,
civil service, and many others
• Tutorials on software programs,
like Microsoft Office and others
• Job centers
• Mobile labs
• Digital and print resources
Programs & Resources
at the library
EXAMPLES!
• Laredo Public Library’s Cyber Mobile computer lab – brings
the technology to neighborhoods so folks can fill out job
applications
• North Richland Hills and Harris County Library Small
Business Outreach Programs – provide mentoring and
specialized course for small business owners
• Little Elm Public Library Adult Literacy Program – graduates
improved readers and English-language speakers
• And literally hundreds of program across the state!
Highlight Digital Resources
TexShare
LearningExpress Library
LearningExpress Resources – Just ONE of many
resources available at the library
Professional staff at the library
PERSONAL ASSISTANCE!
• Free access to professional library staff to help ANSWER
YOUR QUESTIONS
• Help using computers and navigating information sources
• Help creating email accounts, resumes, filling out forms
• SUPPORT
The Personal Touch
at the library
Crockett County Library
Joseph Adan Valadez is the owner of Rows Field Service, a small business based
in Alice, Texas. Mr. Valadez started working in Ozona in early 2011, where his
company was helping to locate an electrical transmission line. To perform this
work, Mr. Valadez hired approximately 40 local residents. The work could not
have progressed without safety training, and the library was the only place in
town to provide it. Forty individuals were rotated from their jobs and received
the required OSHA training online through the Crockett County library. “If it
hadn’t been for that place,” Valadez said, “I would have definitely lost a contract
that helped a lot of people out. Because the library was capable of meeting our
needs as far as computers and space, 40 local families had incomes they
wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
From the State Library’s Return on Investment Study
Professional staff at the library
REFERRALS & PARTNERSHIPS!
• To and with other agencies that can support you
through additional training, services, assistance with
government resources, job searches, and access to
employers
• Joint programming with community organizations
Partnerships
Existing Partners?
• Texas State Library and Archives Commission
• Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Solutions
• Literacy Texas
• Texas public, academic, and school libraries
New Partners?
How can we better serve
our clients?
• Promote services currently offered
• Increase capacity (training, trainers, facilities, hours, connections with
employers, technology)
• Secure additional training resources
• Develop and publicize a broader understanding of diverse array of
providers and availability of programs and support services
• Collaborate on long-term activities and planning
• Secure additional support
• Work at all levels of career development – from early literary to
retraining
• Deliver more services to more clients to improve lifelong career success
Plan of Action
A Framework to Start
1. What are our greatest areas of need?
2. What resources do we all bring to the table? Who can
do what?
3. How can stakeholders work together at the local and
state level?
4. What joint programs, activities, and resources can we
support?
5. How do we best track and promote our progress?
We can all
WIN
together!
Questions?