This month’s Fresh Fridays analyzed the topic of workforce development as a pathway for economic mobility. The conversation focused on workforce development programs available to Rhode Islanders, how organizations offering these programs fit within the broader ecosystem, and anticipated economic pressures resulting from changes to SNAP and Medicaid work requirements by the federal government.
One Neighborhood Builders was joined by panelists Shelby Mack, the chief apprenticeship expansion officer of Construir Futuros; Claudi Cordon, the co-director of education at Progreso Latino; e Dr. Tonya Glantz, the executive director of Rhode Island College’s Institute for Education in Healthcare (IEH) and the Administrator for the Community Health Worker Association of Rhode Island (CHWARI).
The conversation began with an overview of workforce development and apprenticeship opportunities, focusing on how they help remove barriers to economically sustainable careers. Mack explained how apprenticeships can create more equitable workplaces, stating, “Equity is really a key element, and it’s a result of implementing registered apprenticeship because it creates more equitable workplaces that broaden the pool of people who are eligible by decreasing entry qualifications, and it creates transparency around what’s needed to advance.”
Cordon shared how Progreso Latino is focused on mental health workforce development, responding to a need for bilingual and diverse professionals by creating an online job training program that leads to national certification in Mental Health First Aid, providing a clear path to stable employment. Glantz outlined CHWARI’s mission, emphasizing its collaborative efforts with organizations like Building Futures and Progreso Latino to create equitable career pathways for community health workers and behavioral health case managers. These programs not only support workforce development but also address equity challenges by reducing entry barriers and offering specialized training for vulnerable populations.
Mack shifted the conversation to discuss systems change, emphasizing Building Futures’ role in transforming workforce development. She highlighted the organization’s efforts during the 2007 recession to create apprenticeship opportunities in the construction industry despite economic challenges. Mack stressed the importance of collaboration to drive broader economic change, stating, “We all have to work together to make these changes happen, because they’re difficult and they require a lot of shared effort, shared vision.”
Cordon built on this by emphasizing how Progreso Latino’s work goes beyond individual growth, aiming to address systemic gaps and foster both professional and personal development, stating, “Our program is more than a workforce development program, it is about equity, it’s about access, and it’s about building a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.” Glantz added to the conversation by explaining how IEH and CHWARI collaborate to break down silos in healthcare, focusing on partnership among clients, staff, and employers, and ensuring programs are both academically rigorous and practically relevant to address community needs across the care continuum.
The conversation shifted to address the increasing economic pressures, particularly the concerns surrounding changes made by the federal government to programs like SNAP and Medicaid. Mack highlighted the importance of creating pathways into family-sustaining jobs, specifically through registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. Cordon emphasized the challenges of accessing workforce programs due to funding reductions and restrictions on work permits but noted that Progreso Latino continues to advocate for its community and provide essential resources. She also emphasized that stability and access to employment opportunities are crucial for individuals to thrive. Glantz acknowledged the funding cuts and the impact on workforce development programs, stressing the need for collaboration and shared advocacy to address these challenges. She referenced the collective efforts to advocate against Medicaid cuts for community health workers as an example of partnership in times of adversity.
The panel concluded with an open Q&A session. The discussion covered how to partner with workforce development organizations, how these organizations can build relationships with potential employers, and how apprenticeships can be a viable option for individuals in the criminal justice system.
Anterior Sessões das sextas-feiras frescas:
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- Fresh Fridays: A Conversation with Cortney Nicolato and Peter Chapman
- Sextas-feiras frescas: Sistemas de habitação e sem-abrigo
- Sextas-feiras frescas; aplicação equitativa do código
- Fresh Fridays: O custo da construção de habitação a preços acessíveis
- Sextas-feiras frescas: Transportes e comunidades equitativas
- Sextas-feiras frescas: Zoneamento e desenvolvimento de habitação a preços acessíveis
- Sextas-feiras frescas: Organização Comunitária em Providence
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