Workforce Development
The Alliance is seeking currently seeking qualified organizations to assist low- and moderate-income households and individuals in becoming “job ready” through skill and experience development, and securing paid work experiences, apprenticeships, and/or middle-wage jobs ($40,000 - $80,000 annual salary). Workforce development, job training, and apprenticeship programs will focus on teaching required skills, developing competencies, and increasing employment opportunities for individuals entering into one of the two priority employment sectors:
- Digital and Technology Careers
- Example training can include but are not limited to:
- software development/coding
- website development
- full stack/Java development
- cloud computing services
- cyber-security
- robotic process automation
- network and information technology
- data science and data analytics
- UX/UI
- social media/digital marketing analytics
- digital content creation
- artificial intelligence
- AWS, Google or other related industry certifications
- Example training can include but are not limited to:
- Hospitality/Customer Service, Retail, and Service Careers
- Example training can include but are not limited to:
- basic work readiness
- food handling and preparation
- workplace safety
- hotel/retail management
- guest relations, customer service, communication, and services
- housekeeping
- maintenance
- CRM platform support
- warehouse/storage operations
- inventory management
- soft skills
- executive function/skill development
- Example training can include but are not limited to:
This program will provide individuals in targeted populations with job-related training, coaching, job-search assistance, connection to appropriate “wrap around” support services to enable them to secure paid employment/apprenticeships and job opportunities following the conclusion of the program.
Through the delivery of these services and programs, the Alliance hopes to accomplish the following community goals:
- Assisting in the recruitment, training and placement support of Oklahoma City area residents in key skills industries and occupations.
- Meaningful outreach to find, train, and place diverse learners in new hiring opportunities (minority, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, individuals with criminal backgrounds and second chance employment, individuals with recent job loss history due to COVID 19 related economic changes, etc.).
- Creative training opportunities, including customized, short-term programming with meaningful industry recognized credentials.
- Support existing and new training providers to meet the employment and workforce needs of the Oklahoma City economy over the next two-and-a-half-years.
- Provide one-time funds that can support the development or expansion of training programs, partnerships and outreach efforts that will continue beyond ARPA funding lifecycles.
- Be able to identify meaningful outcomes in Oklahoma City.
By the end of this project, the Alliance hopes to have increased the competitiveness of Oklahoma City’s workforce, increased wage growth, and provided meaningful economic opportunities for Oklahoma City residents who are unemployed and underemployed.
The project’s success will be measured by the number of unemployed and underemployed Oklahoma City residents who gain the skills needed to be “job ready” for employment, complete required training/certification for high-opportunity employment industries, and who secure a job, apprenticeship, paid-work experience with a middle wage or a pathway to a middle wage job within 6 months of completing the program. Other indicators of success will include the degree to which the program participants feel they are treated respectfully by those delivering the program.