Weekly Roundup of the news on women and supportive services in job training programs.
Job training can provide an entry into family-sustaining jobs and careers. Many women in job training programs, however, face obstacles to success. Wraparound services—such as child care assistance, access to public benefits, and transportation or housing assistance—can help adults, particularly those with caregiving responsibilities, to complete programs that will ultimately improve their economic standing.
August 2, 2016
New Hampshire Union Leader: At Omni, training for skilled manufacturing is the focus of Hassan visit
With New Hampshire’s unemployment rate at historic lows, businesses are struggling to fill positions — particularly in skilled manufacturing roles that require specific training. Helping solve that problem was the focus of a visit to Omni from Gov. Maggie Hassan Tuesday morning, when she encouraged employees to contact their state legislators and urge their approval of a new Gateway to Work initiative.
[…] The initiative, which Hassan first announced in this year’s State of the State address, would connect businesses with community colleges for apprenticeship programs, bulk up job training and generally seek to close the “opportunity gap” in the labor market.
[…] Hassan told assembled employees that Gateway to Work would help remove barriers to employment for people who want to work by helping to subsidize things like transportation and childcare. It would also include a program to help at-risk youth understand good work habits.
July 30, 2016
Seattle Times: Training, jobs open up as maritime sector’s workforce ages
Elizabeth Sotack, 29, arrived in Washington five years ago with AmeriCorps, teaching environmental education and doing child-care work. When she decided she needed to make more money to pay off student loans, she enrolled in a welding training program she’d heard about on the radio. “When I started I literally knew nothing,” said Sotack. Two years later, she’s now working as a welder for Vigor Industrial, earning twice as much as before.
[…] Created in 2013 in the heart of Portland-based Vigor Industrial’s Seattle shipyard, the training center is a partnership between the company and South Seattle College.
July 29, 2016
Daily News: Trying to get back to work? LA Valley College job training program is accepting applications
Those accepted into the free, competitive program receive nine weeks of intensive professional development while volunteering at local nonprofits.
[…] While open to professionals of all ages, LA Fellows “really targets a niche of ‘mature workers’ who are 40 and over, who might have degrees, might be transitioning, but need support, guidance and direction with the new job search and job search tactics,” Marriott said.
[…] LA Fellows is one of several workforce academies at the college that is benefitting this year from a state grant to help participants better deal with relationship and personal issues, including elder care and child care, for a more holistic approach, Marriott said.
July 28, 2016
Washington City Paper: D.C. Is Trying to Get More Struggling Moms Back to Work as a Benefit Cut Looms
Branch is at a training for a job placement program known as LEAP (Learn Earn Advance Proposer) for people who receive cash through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). It gives these women a shot at a District-funded internship with the city or a private company, which in turn offers them a chance to earn a permanent position.
[…] The program began in March 2015, and three groups have completed the training process, in which participants learn interview skills, hear about workplace expectations, network, and receive childcare and transportation help.
The Post and Courier: Job seekers’ education often outpaces employers’ needs, new study shows
South Carolina’s business leaders have long worried that the state has a shortage of trained workers, people ready to fill the high-skilled jobs they badly want to attract. But a new study suggests that the state’s workforce doesn’t lack for education. In fact, thousands of South Carolinians may be overqualified for their jobs, according to the analysis conducted by the state Department of Employment and Workforce.
[…] Earlier this month, business leaders launched a website that gives students a career aptitude test — and pairs it with data about what industries are growing in the region. The tool, called the Charleston Regional Career Headlight, aims to make sure the region’s new jobs are filled by locals, not just newcomers
To view more of IWPR’s research, visit IWPR.org
