The Initiative had developed a compelling and innovative model for preparing young people for work and life
that brings together institutions, entities and individuals from across communities....
The Imperative and the Challenges
A skilled and motivated workforce is vital to the economic health of businesses, families and the community as a whole.
When a community has prepared young people with needed skills, employers have a "deep bench" of employees
that sustain and grow their businesses. Communities with a high quality emerging workforce experience
revenue growth and cost savings for social supports. Young adults ready for work and life are more likely
to maintain family-supporting jobs, to be healthy and to contribute to their community.
However, there are indications communities are struggling to perfect their workforce preparation efforts.
Employers report shortcomings in the availability, capability or productivity of young workers.
The pipeline through educational levels is too often full of holes, particularly for minority or low-income students.
And many young adults are falling behind in measures of economic and social well-being.
Every community suffers when it’s young people are not ready to take on current needs and future challenges.
The reasons why it is so difficult to prepare the emerging workforce are complex and long-standing.
Young people need to develop many skills to prepare for success in college and future careers. The Four Steps Framework outlines these skills and the variety of ways schools, communities and families can help all young people to develop them.
A Workforce Preparation Network
Improving or expanding efforts to prepare the emerging workforce involves the entire community: families, educational institutions, businesses, industry and labor groups, government agencies, nonprofit entities and young people themselves. When communities use available resources collaboratively and intentionally, they can ensure young people have the skills needed to contribute to the economic and social wellbeing of families and the community at large.
When related programs, activities and strategies are woven togeter into a "network", young people have more and better ways to navigate the Four Steps of Workforce Preparation. An effective network enhances the existing efforts of these partners, provides a means of communication and collaboration and maximizes the collective impact. To execute an effective network, communities must develop a common vision, construct a manageable structure and develop a realistic and aggressive funding plan.
When a workforce preparation network is effective, the indications are clear. Employers, communities and youth themselves thrive.
The Emerging Workforce Initiative, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization