Creating aYouth-Centric Career Center

Workforce Development Policy inLong Beach, California USA

Bryan Rogers, Executive Director

www.PacificGatewayWorkforce.com

Why Workforce Development

Workforce Policy Approach Industry Sector Focus Demand-Driven Flexible and Dynamic Co-Investment: Public-Private Multiple Audiences; Multiple Strategies

Adults, Youth, Business

Employment Services • Youth Development • Business Solutions

Youth Development System Public Funding Base – Federal, State Local Delivery System

Leveraged Investments with Others Mix of Interventions and Industry Solutions

Balancing a “Supply/Demand Equation” Youth Opportunity Center at Center

The Conditions More than 1/3 of Residents Aged < 24 20% of Youth, 16–24 “Idle” High School Dropout Rates Estimated at

20% Youth Unemployment Rates Estimated at

More than 25% for 16-19 yos Disconnect of Changing Industries to Skills

Reinventing Youth Services Challenging Conditions Loss of Dedicated Building Space Youth Unemployment Edging Upward Challenge of Doing the “Basics” or More Need for Bold Strategies around Career

Pathways

Numerous Ideas Presented

A Voice at the Table

Additional Representation of Students on Appointed Youth Council Body

New Energy and Opinions in Meetings and Problem-Solving Discussions

Invigorated Planning and Implementation Processes

Relevant Messaging Youth Cohort: Youth-Centered Campaign Outcome of Simply Crafted Messages that

Resonate with Youth Billboards, Bus Shelters,

Postcards, Web Site, featured the Youth

Get Educated • Get Experienced • Get Employed

Creating a Physical Space Re-Design of Youth Opportunity Center Opportunity to Engage Youth in Creation Local High School Interior Design Students

Took on as Project Five Design Teams

+ + Architect Pitched Chosen Design Used

Incorporated All

Creating a Better Space Opportunity to Upgrade the Vibe for Youth Decision to Hire Young Adults as Resource

Assistants for the Young Customers Allow Young People

Entering the Center to to Relate and Connect to the Space

Understanding Career Pathways Allow Youth to Share with Peers Show Logical Connection of Education,

Experience and Employment Translate Labor

Market Data into Engaging Info

Partnership with Social Enterprise

Understanding Pathways

Ensuring A Relevant Product Adoption of Work

Readiness Credential Facilitated Training;

Proctored Testing Measures 4 Areas

of Competence Relevance of Entrants to

Employer

Ensuring A Relevant Product Road Trip Nation Partnership Complemented by Dynamic

Career Exploration Connect with Industry

Leaders to Job Shadow, Discover Possibilities

45 Hours Minimum Between Two Components

Maximizing Technology in Services

www.HireLB.com Web-Based

Service Registration

Labor Exchange

Customer Tracking

2010 Service Levels/Outcomes 1,300:Youth Training Positions/Business Internships

465: Intensive Academic Interventions through Career Academies, Green Jobs Corps

(including returns to High School/GED)

450: Work Readiness/Exploration & Credentials

325: Placed in Permanent (Unsubsidized) Jobs

Federal Placement, Retention, Education Goals Exceeded

Gold Winner – National League of Cities Award, Municipal Excellence

For More InformationBryan Rogers, Executive Director

Bryan.Rogers@longbeach.gov

www.HireAYouth.com

www.RoadTripNation.com