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Latino Pathways: Sector Development for Immigrant Workers

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Most of the people who will be in our workforce

are already in it.

Tough Choices or Tough Times

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23 million workers one in seven workers in the U.S.

are foreign born.

Congressional Budget Office, 2006

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Projected Effect of Immigration on U.S. Population Growth, 2000 - 2050

Source: Congressional Budget Office

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Latino Population: 1980

56,667

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Latino Population: 2005

533,087

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Theory of Change

If we build a community partnership and provide them with data, coaching, and seed funding then they will design and implement a program to:

Create new economic opportunities for Latino immigrant jobseekers;Support industry growth sectors.

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Sector Initiatives?

• Target a specific industry.

• Build in-depth knowledge and partnerships between industry and community organizations.

• Improve the economic conditions of low-wage workers and low-income job seekers.

• Promote industry change that cultivates a win-win environment, benefiting employers and low-wage workers or low-income jobseekers.

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Phase 1: Research

• Qualitative Data: Demographics, Industry Sectors, Occupational Projections

• Quantitative Data: Focus Group Interviews

• Identify Key Partners

• Team Formation

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Jobs in Greensboro MSA

Total # of LatinosWorkers: % Latino

Construction Laborers 5610 1855 33.10%Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses 2335 4 0.20%Nursing, Psychiatric and Home Health Aides 8360 135 1.60%

Source: 2000 U.S. Census

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Phase 2: Project Design

• Select Industry Sector

• Review Best Practices, Models

• Develop Staffing Plan

• Partner Roles and Accountability

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Phase 3: Implementation

• Involve Additional Employers

• Identify Project Host, Hire Staff

• Begin Program Operations

• Ongoing Evaluation

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Major Obstacles for Many Immigrant Workers

• Language

• Low Level of Education

• Cultural Expectations

• Lack of Connection to Labor Market Services and Networks

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Institutional Change

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One Stop Centers

• Commit to Greater Access

• Hire Staff Bilingual Staff

• Targeted Programs

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Community Colleges

• Career Pathways Model

• Contextualized Language Training

• Flexible Hours

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Grassroots Organizations

Latin American CoalitionBilingual/bicultural atmosphereCultural sensitivity/competencyDirect outreach to target population Support other partners with LAC expertise

Welfare Reform Liaison ProjectInfluence in the communityStrong management and financial capacity Connections to funding sourcesCommunity Action AgencyFinancial securityExperienced organizers

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Individual Results

• 400+ Individuals Enrolled

• 200+ Completing Basic Skills, ESL

• 5 Classes of CNA Training

• 50+ Placed in Health-Related Jobs

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Mistakes

• Partnership Groups Too Broad

• Health Care Careers Were Unfamiliar

• Could Not Operate/Manage Entire Pathway

• Needed Industry to Help Address Policy

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Lessons fromSector Employment Initiative

• Difficulty Recruiting Qualified Participants

• Alignment with Systems Change Goals

• Need Credibility in the Industry

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Remaining Questions

• Community Colleges as Hubs?

• Incumbent Worker Pathways?

• Streamlined Sector Methods?

• Role of CBOs?

• Analyzing Cultural Appropriateness

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Charlotte Funding Partners

• Bank of America

• Wachovia Corp.

• Duke Energy

• Foundation for the Carolinas

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Greensboro Funding Partners

• Weaver Foundation

• Cemala Foundation

• Community Foundation for Greater Greensboro

• Duke Energy

• Greensboro-High Point Workforce Development Board

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National/Regional Funding Partners

• Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation

• Annie E. Casey Foundation

• Charles S. Mott Foundation

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for more information:www.mdcjobspartners.orgColin Austincaustin@mdcinc.org(919) 968-4531