Keeping Texas Competitive

Workforce Development & Libraries

Texas Library AssociationApril 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 LibraryInsert your logo

WIN at the LibraryYourWORKFORCE INDIVIDUAL NEEDSOur Mission

Insert your logo

Libraries & Workforce

Workforce development is• An economic & educational

development approach• Attempts to enhance

economic stability and prosperity

• Focuses on individuals• Shaped by local needs

Libraries support •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 OverviewTexas 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 Statistics2. 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 Commission28 Local Workforce Solutions BoardsBusinessesChambers of Commerce

Workforce NEEDSBroad 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

SERVICES• 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

RESOURCES!• 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

FREE COMPUTERS & INTERNET ACCESS!

Programs & Resources at the library

• 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!

EXAMPLES!

Highlight Digital Resources

LearningExpress LibraryTexShare

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 Touchat 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 allWIN

together!

Questions?