Ideas for Partnering with Employers
State and local workforce investment systems are partnering with businesses nationwide. Workforce development professionals are building effective collaborative efforts to prepare youth to respond to business needs and skill demands in the labor market. To obtain information about employer/workforce partnerships, visit The Business Relations Group or Workforce3One websites.
Benefits of Hiring Youth
- Shape and tailor the future workforce from the beginning
- Acquire employees who are open to careers in nontraditional occupations
- Receive incentives for hiring special targeted populations, for more information, visit Government Incentives and Assistance website
- Work Opportunity Tax Credit
- Federal Bonding Program
- Contribute to positive outcomes for youth
What Employers Can Do
- Hire youth in entry level positions
- Establish work-based internships
- Serve as mentors
- Participate in local workforce system meetings, forums, workshops, etc.
Partnering in Local Communities Employers are Connecting to:
- One-Stop Career Centers
- Workforce Investment Boards and Youth Councils
- Community and Faith Based Organizations; and
- Education Community, Community Colleges, Public School System, etc.
Highlights of Employer and Workforce Collaboration
- Northern Virginia Workforce Investment Board (WIB) sponsors "Job Hut" at the Manassas Mall. The center offers youth opportunities for career exploration, information on advanced training and education. This project represents a collaborative effort between the local business community and the WIB's Youth advisory board. Businesses offer support, materials, discounts, and time. Community service providers offer program participation, workshops and classes. For more information contact David Hunn, Director of the Northern Virginia WIB at (703) 752-1606.
- CVS Regional Learning Centers
CVS/pharmacy has established a partnership with the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES). As a result of this partnership, DOES has created a Regional One-Stop Employment Center co-located within a fully functional corporate learning center.
This project has been replicated in several other key markets, such as, Atlanta, Baltimore, New York City, and Detroit. Youth from the Youth Opportunity Grant sites in the District of Columbia and Detroit have gone through the career training offered through this partnership. It is a freestanding prototype unit that houses a mock CVS store and pharmacy (electronic registers, one hour photo processor, a picture maker copy machine, greeting card fixtures, cosmetic displays, merchandised gondolas, and pharmacy lab with terminals) that trains all associates through the director's level. The Regional Learning Center also includes multipurpose community and training rooms for continuing education and training and health and safety issues important to the public.
- One Stop CRAFT (Community Restitution, Apprenticeship-Focused Training) is operated by the Home Builders Institute (HBI) located in Davidson County, Tennessee where HBI has established a consortium of agencies to provide support to young offenders. The consortium consists of representatives from correctional, education, workforce development, health and mental health, including substance abuse, social services, and housing. CRAFT is industry driven and training is provided in residential construction trades using a validated Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training program. For more information contact Donny Sloan, Project Coordinator, at (615) 255-6007.
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