Formulating Workforce Solutions: Voices from

the Community

Overview of LNPWI

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Developing our Community Engagement Strategy

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A Multi-Stakeholder Approach

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Policy MakersEmployers

Temple University Students and Staff

Community Organizations & Institutions

Service Providers

Community Residents &

Leaders

Main Obstacles

⊡ Town-Gown Relationships

⊡ Community Distrust

⊡ Working in Silos

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Our Process

1. BUILD RAPPORTby exploring stakeholder perspectives on community strengths and needed

support through Table Talks

2. FORM AUTHENTIC PARTNERSHIPS

by supporting efforts of key stakeholders based

on expressed needs withCall for Concepts

3. CREATE A CULTURE OF TRANSPARENCY

using Reporting and Community-Facing

Events to create continuing feedback

loops

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“Table Talks” on Workforce Development

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Part 1: Building Rapport

Table Talk Method

⊡ 10-20 participants⊡ Familiar community setting⊡ 2 co-facilitators

□ 1 stakeholder representative□ 1 Temple representative

⊡ 1.5 to 2 hours⊡ Facilitation guide⊡ Recorded with participant consent

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Sample Questions from the Facilitation Guide

What does sustainable employment mean and look like to you?

How many and what kinds of employment opportunities exists for North Philadelphians? Are these opportunities taking full advantage of the talents, skills, and passion that exist in North Philadelphia?

What information about employment and workforce development opportunities in our community would you like to have, but are not getting?

Are there things that make finding and keeping jobs difficult?

How can we work together to improve the chances of more people doing well in our region? How do you define what “doing well” means?

Table Talk Goals

1. Open a dialogue between the community and Temple University about the employment and workforce development needs of North Philadelphia

2. Inform community members about Temple University’s workforce development opportunities and programs to support employment for North Philadelphia residents

3. Identify community strengths and garner community recommendations and insights to direct LNPWI’s strategic plan

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Table Talk Outcomes

⊡ 13 Sessions⊡ 175 participants

□ 100 residents□ 60 Faith-Based Organization Leaders□ 70 service providers□ 8 elected officials

⊡ 8 Voices of the Community Reports⊡ Community more informed about TU programs⊡ Community-University Connections

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Main Themes from Table Talks11

Table Talk Themes

1. The need for workforce development and employment strategies that recognize and address the systemic and environmental barriers to employment

2. The need to educate employers on best practices for recruiting, hiring, and retaining employees from underrepresented populations.

3. The need for stronger connections between workforce development programs and employers/employment opportunities.

4. The need for employers to commit to sustainable employment and local hiring. 5. The need for improved community outreach from Temple University and service

providers to share information on workforce development and employment resources, events, and opportunities.

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Call for ConceptsPart 2: Forming Authentic Partnerships

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Call for Concepts Overview

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Criteria for Selection

1. Served a population with barriers to employment2. Met an unmet need in target area (supported by

data)3. Strong Employer Engagement4. Strong Community/University Partnerships5. Directly Lead to sustainable employment

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Strategies for Partnership

⊡ Collaboratively decision making⊡ Fostering mutual support & resource sharing⊡ Creating opportunities for communication

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Reporting and FeedbackPart 3: Creating a culture of transparency

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Transparency = Trust

⊡ Publicly shared reports□ Online□ Hard Copy

⊡ Regular newsletters⊡ Regular Community forums⊡ Available =/= accessible

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Reports to Date

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All reports available at templelnpwi.org/research-and-publications/

Lessons Learned & Next Steps

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Lessons Learned

⊡ Be prepared for negative feedback⊡ Be prepared for plans to change⊡ Filtering out the loudest voices⊡ Challenging “Business as usual”

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Building Blocks of Success

⊡ Strengths-based approach⊡ Self-awareness and humility⊡ Lean into discomfort⊡ Shared experiences as guiding principle

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Questions?

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Q & A

?

THANKS!

Contact UsShirley Moy

Executive Director, LNPWI

smoy@temple.edu

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Claire PopeProgram Specialist, LNPWI

claire.pope@temple.edu