ReportWire

Tag: education news

  • Impasse at the Education Department: Where Does it Stand Now Amid Shutdown RIFs?

    [ad_1]

    The federal government shutdown and a judge’s order to pause a massive reduction in force ordered by the White House has left the Department of Education in yet another swirl of political and legal confusion.

    Since the start of the shutdown three weeks ago, the Trump administration has laid off hundreds of employees at the federal agency that it has targeted for elimination since taking power, following through on a threat to reduce the government workforce in the event of a funding lapse. Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought – before the Oct. 1 work stoppage began – directed agencies to consider reductions in force for employees working on programs across a number of agencies that, among other criteria, were “not consistent with the President’s priorities.” The move was widely seen as an effort to pressure Democratic lawmakers to support a Republican-led stopgap funding bill, called a continuing resolution, that would avert the crisis.

    But a federal judge said Wednesday that the Trump administration can’t issue new layoff orders or enforce the notices already handed out while legal challenges play out in court. The order comes after a lawsuit filed by two unions – the American Federation of Government Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees – argued that Vought’s use of the shutdown to support the firings was illegal.

    Judge Susan Illston of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California said the layoffs appear to be politically motivated.

    “There are laws which govern how we can do the things we do, including laws which govern how we do RIFs. And the activities being undertaken here are contrary to the laws,” she said.

    Illston appeared to agree with the unions’ arguments that the layoffs were an attempt to undo programs that lawmakers authorized by getting rid of the employees tasked with administering them.

    “Overturning agency mandates Congress has put in place – they can’t do that,” she said.

    Here’s what to know about the layoffs at the Department of Education:

    How Many People Received Notices?

    Roughly 20% of the Department of Education, or 466 people, received layoff notices. This follows the nearly 2,000 employees who were eliminated in March in a purge that did away with about half of the agency at the time. That number includes over 1,300 laid-off employees and more than 600 people who accepted separation packages.

    Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the shutdown is proving how “unnecessary” the department is.

    “The Democrat government shutdown has forced agencies to evaluate what federal responsibilities are truly critical for the American people. Two weeks in, millions of American students are still going to school, teachers are getting paid, and schools are operating as normal. It confirms what the President has said: the federal Department of Education is unnecessary, and we should return education to the states,” McMahon said on social media.

    What Offices Were Affected?

    The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Office of Communications and Outreach, the Office of Postsecondary Education, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, and the Office for Civil Rights were reportedly impacted by the reduction in force.

    The layoffs within the special education office – including to departments mandated by Congress to ensure federal oversight – created widespread condemnation from lawmakers, special education advocates and parents. But McMahon said their concerns are misplaced.

    “The Department has taken additional steps to better reach American students and families and root out the education bureaucracy that has burdened states and educators with unnecessary oversight,” she said. “No education funding is impacted by the RIF, including funding for special education, and the clean CR supported by the Trump Administration will provide states and schools the funding they need to support all students.”

    What Led to This?

    The federal government’s fiscal year begins Oct. 1. To fully fund the government, all 12 appropriations bills must be passed by Congress and signed by the president before the start of the new fiscal year. The last time that happened, though, was in fiscal 1997, and Congress often resorts to continuing resolutions that extend current funding while lawmakers hammer out the details of a spending package.

    But Congress can’t agree on a stopgap bill. The Republican-led House has passed a continuing resolution that would reopen the government, but repeated attempts to pass such legislation have failed in the Senate – where, despite a thin GOP majority, Democratic support is required to meet the 60–vote threshold to advance bills. Democrats in Congress don’t want to pass such a measure unless it includes extension of a tax credit due to expire at the end of the year that makes health insurance more affordable for millions of Americans. Republicans want to address the tax credit separately.

    Initially, McMahon’s shutdown contingency plan included only furloughing 95% of its staff outside of the Office of Federal Student Aid. But the OMB memo calling for layoffs raised the stakes.

    What’s Next?

    The shutdown will stretch into at least this week, possibly longer. The Senate adjourned for the weekend after failing for the 10th time to advance a bill to extend government funding and end the shutdown. House Speaker Mike Johnson has halted all House business and refuses to call lawmakers back into session until the Senate passes a stopgap bill.

    Get the admissions edge with ‘Getting In’!

    Have the parent playbook for applying to college delivered to your inbox each Thursday.

    Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S. News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy.

    [ad_2]

    Laura Mannweiler

    Source link

  • Tracking Trump’s Crackdown on Higher Education

    [ad_1]

    President Donald Trump wasted no time targeting higher education reform in his second term, kicking off a fight that often seemed personal.

    Education in recent years has been the battleground for culture war disputes from immigration to transgender rights along with political posturing on issues like student loan forgiveness, admissions practices and free speech on campus.

    Republicans have long been skeptical of higher education and accuse academics of indoctrinating youth with progressive ideologies, and Trump claimed that college campuses have been “infested with radicalism like never before.” Trump’s efforts revolve around curbing what he calls a “woke” agenda, with many of his steps aimed at reversing diversity, equity and inclusion policies that he says unfairly benefit some students over others.

    As president, Trump has leveraged the power of the federal government to threaten funding and restrict foreign student status, demanding an unprecedented role in university admissions, curriculum and operations. In many cases, he has used accusations of antisemitism or the credo of law and order as wedges to force broader scrutiny of higher education administrators and employed civil rights laws aimed at providing fair access and equal protection to recast the definition of discrimination and roll back safeguards for historically disadvantaged populations.

    The battle – which, at times, has escalated into an all-out war – has seen Trump focus on individual universities that refused to bend to his will, perhaps most prominently Harvard University.

    Here’s a look at the key areas of Trump’s agenda and some of the noteworthy moves he has made when it comes to higher education:

    The administration has filed lawsuits and cut or threatened to limit billions of dollars in funding in an attempt to influence policy at universities nationwide on issues ranging from DEI and LGBTQ+ interests to immigration policy and even university leadership and the academic curriculum. The funding freezes were taken by agencies across the administration, from the National Institutes of Health to the Department of Defense to NASA and others. They have been met with varying levels of resistance by administrators.

    • The Trump administration in March sent letters to 60 universities – among them many of the nation’s most elite institutions – warning them of “potential enforcement actions” for violations of Title VI, the federal statute prohibiting discrimination, relating to antisemitic discrimination and harassment. It empowered a Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism to investigate and report violations.

    • The White House in March cut $400 million in funding to Columbia University, a focal point of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campuses across the country, after demanding that administrators change policies regarding student protests and discipline and reorganize the leadership of the school’s Middle East studies department. Federal officials warned other universities that they could face similar actions. Columbia University in July said it reached a deal with the Trump administration to resolve several federal probes into the school. The agreement, which does not include Columbia University admitting to any wrongdoing, involves the school paying the government a $200 million settlement over three years. “Under today’s agreement, a vast majority of the federal grants which were terminated or paused in March 2025 will be reinstated, and Columbia’s access to billions of dollars in current and future grants will be restored,” the school said in a statement.  

    • Federal officials in April froze $2.2 billion in grants to Harvard University after warning the school it was in violation of federal civil rights law. Harvard University ultimately rejected the administration’s wide-ranging demands that it reform its hiring and admissions practices, restructure the university’s governance and end DEI programs among a host of other stipulations. That led to an escalating dispute that has seen all additional federal funding withdrawn, new civil rights investigations initiated over hiring practices, threats to end the university’s tax-exempt status and a presidential proclamation banning foreign students from studying at Harvard, among other actions. In a major win for Harvard, a federal judge in early September ruled that the Trump administration broke the law when it terminated the $2.2 billion in grants, calling the administration’s actions part of a “targeted, ideologically-motivated assault.” It barred the White House from ending or freezing any additional funds to the school.

    • The Trump administration, embroiled in an ongoing dispute with the state of Maine over its allowance of transgender high school athletes competing in girls sports, suspended millions in funding for the University of Maine’s floating offshore wind program. In a letter to the university in April, a Department of Energy official said the funding was suspended for 90 days because the university failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the grant – which includes Title IX antidiscrimination language the Trump administration recently revised to revoke LGBTQ+ protections. In March, the Agriculture Department suspended funding to the university over Title IX concerns, but it was quickly restored after an investigation determined the school was in compliance. 

    • Cornell University, Northwestern University, the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University were among schools that saw billions of dollars cut, frozen or suspended. The government has given several reasons for the moves, most prominently accusing the schools of tolerating antisemitism but also including race-based policies in admissions and hiring. In some cases, no clear reason was provided. 

    • The Department of Justice in June filed separate lawsuits against Texas, Kentucky and Minnesota over policies granting in-state college tuition to residents who were in the country illegally. Texas, which had the policy in place for two decades, quickly settled. The moves were foreshadowed in an April executive order on immigration. 
    • Brown University announced a settlement with Trump in late July that would see the school’s federal research funding resume and an end to the investigations into alleged discrimination. The university agreed to adopt the Trump administration’s definition of “male” and “female” as well as remove race as a consideration in its admissions. “Woke is officially DEAD at Brown,” Trump said in a social media post announcing the deal.
    • The Trump administration in October sent nine universities a proposal: priority access to federal funding if they follow a wide-ranging list of demands. The schools would have to take several steps to change their policies, like nixing consideration of race or sex in hiring and admissions and limiting foreign student enrollment. The University of Texas expressed interest in the deal, though most of the other schools would not give an answer at the time. California Gov. Gavin Newsom hit back at the controversial proposal, saying any California schools that sign it would lose “billions” in state funding.

    Sign Up for U.S. News Decision Points

    Your trusted source for breaking down the latest news from Washington and beyond, delivered weekdays.

    Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S. News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy.

    Republicans have called for the elimination of the agency almost since its inception in 1980, seeing it as a symbol of government bloat, waste and federal overreach. But in recent years the issue has taken on new momentum among hard-line conservatives who bristled at pandemic-era school shutdowns and what was seen as the undermining of parental rights to implement policies that advanced DEI and LGBTQ+ interests.

    • Trump on March 20 signed an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.” In July, the Supreme Court allowed Trump to move ahead with plans to fire about 1,200 Education Department workers. Experts say the reduced workforce could result in delays, particularly in processing FAFSA forms and efficiently distributing aid. 

    Combining the administration’s goals of restricting immigration as well as curbing protests critical of U.S. policy, universities have reported seeing student visas revoked for things like participation in demonstrations as well as criminal violations, some of them as minor as traffic infractions. Collectively, the moves have led to some students being detained or deported, including in several high-profile arrests nationwide.

    • After pledging to “quickly cancel the student visas of all Hamas sympathizers on college campuses” during his opening days in office, Trump’s State Department in March revoked visas for more than 300 foreign-born students at schools in the U.S. who were said to have taken part in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.  

    • Federal officials terminated the status of thousands of students in a database used by universities and government officials to account for their movements in the U.S., a step that jeopardized their ability to remain enrolled and could lead to their visas being revoked. However, in April, it reversed, abruptly restoring thousands of international students’ ability to study across the country. But the Trump administration made clear it was not abandoning its effort. Instead, it began working on a new system to review their records. 

    • As a part of Trump’s effort to pressure Harvard University to conform with Trump administration policies, the Department of Homeland Security withdrew the university’s certification to host foreign students and issue paperwork for their visas in May. A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s effort in June. Trump switched strategies in June, signing a memo to “safeguard national security by suspending the entry of foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University.” Harvard University, again, sued, and a federal judge, again, put a temporary block on the effort. 

    Student loan reform was a priority for many Republicans critical of former President Joe Biden’s moves toward student loan debt forgiveness. Biden and his administration erased some $190 billion in borrowed funds – moves that Republicans insisted were in defiance of court orders and were politically motivated to bolster the Democratic base.

    • Trump in March signed an executive order to restrict who is eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, a program for people who work in public service to get their remaining student loans forgiven after making 10 years of minimum payments. Trump’s plan is to exclude people who work for organizations “that engage in activities that have a substantial illegal purpose.” But the broad language could be used to target a number of activities that might even extend to activism and the constitutionally protected exercise of free speech. However, the change must go through the rulemaking process at the Education Department.

    • The Education Department in April announced it would resume collections on student loans that were in default after not pursuing the outstanding payments since March 2020. The Biden administration began collecting student loan repayments in October 2023 after a pause during the pandemic but instituted a one-year grace period in which borrowers faced no consequences. The Trump administration said it would begin withholding tax refunds and garnishing the wages of borrowers who were in default and had not taken the appropriate steps to resume repayment. 

    • In July, the Education Department announced that roughly 8 million federal student loan borrowers would start to see interest resume on their debt balances in August after the Biden-era grace period exempted them for about a year. 

    • Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” will bring sweeping changes to federal student loans in July 2026, including setting a total lifetime borrowing limit of $257,500 for all federal student loans. 

    Federal agencies, including the Education Department, have targeted what the Trump administration is calling “woke” spending, consistent with the views of many conservatives that higher education is biased and its research is used by academics to validate a Democratic agenda.

    • The Transportation Department in May terminated seven university grants that totaled $54 million, saying the grants were used to “advance a radical DEI and green agenda that were both wasteful and ran counter to the transportation priorities of the American people.” The department cited as examples a $6 million grant to New York University for research into providing “e-bikes to low-income travelers in transit deserts” and a $6 million grant to the University of New Orleans to study “how neighborhood stabilization efforts support environmental justice.”

    • The Department of Commerce in April announced it was cutting $4 million in research funding for Princeton University to study climate change. The administration said the research promoted “exaggerated and implausible climate threats, contributing to a phenomenon known as ‘climate anxiety,’ which has increased significantly among America’s youth. Its focus on alarming climate scenarios fosters fear rather than rational, balanced discussion.” The University of Washington similarly saw a $1 million grant into climate research canceled.

    • The National Science Foundation canceled hundreds of grants that “are not aligned with program goals or agency priorities,” including university researchers studying DEI, environmental justice and misinformation or disinformation.

    The Trump administration has made efforts to rollback diversity, equity and inclusion programs embraced by the Biden administration. On his second day in office, he signed an executive order to terminate “to the maximum extent allowed by law” DEI offices and positions.

    • The DEI executive order also mandated an end to such programs at universities that receive federal funding. Schools that don’t comply risk losing federal money. The move, according to the Trump administration, is meant to correct recent discrimination “against students on the basis of race, including white and Asian students, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds and low-income families.”

    • A February memo from the Education Department instructed schools to stop using “racial preferences” as a factor in admissions, financial aid and hiring. It stated that personal essays for college admissions cannot be used to predict a student’s race. “Institutions that fail to comply with federal civil rights law may, consistent with applicable law, face potential loss of federal funding,” it said. But a federal judge in August blocked the memo, along with another one from April that requested state education agencies certify they were not using “illegal DEI practices,” saying the policy changes did not follow procedural requirements.

    • The Trump administration has launched investigations into dozens of institutions for their DEI practices. In one high-profile case, the University of Virginia president announced in June he would resign rather than “fight the federal government.” In another case, the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights accused George Mason University of violating Title VI by using race and other protected characteristics in its hiring and promotion practices. The department demanded that Gregory Washington, the university’s president, apologize. In a letter, Washington’s attorney said the university president would not apologize.
    • Trump on Aug. 7 signed a presidential memorandum aimed at “ensuring transparency in higher education admissions.” The memo requires colleges and universities to submit additional admissions data to the Education Department in an effort to “ensure race-based preferences are not used in university admissions processes.” McMahon said in a statement that the Trump administration “will not allow institutions to blight the dreams of students by presuming that their skin color matters more than their hard work and accomplishments.”
    • The Education Department in September announced plans to end discretionary grant funding for several minority-serving institutions programs. It said the projects “discriminate by conferring government benefits exclusively to institutions that meet racial or ethnic quotas.” The agency said it would cut about $350 million from seven programs, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions and predominantly Black institutions. “These funds will be reprogrammed into programs that do not include discriminatory racial and ethnic quotas and that advance Administration priorities,” it said. A few days later, the agency announced a $495 million investment in historically Black colleges and tribal universities with funds it redirected from other programs “that the Department determined are not in the best interest of students and families.”

    Republicans have long expressed concern with foreign funding flowing into U.S. colleges and universities. They say the money raises questions about foreign influences over research as well as national security issues relating to potential espionage and theft of sensitive information.

    • Trump in April signed an executive order to require the “full and timely disclosure of foreign funding by higher education institutions.” The order asks for stricter enforcement of a federal law that requires colleges to disclose financial ties with foreign sources. “We believe that certain universities, including, for example, Harvard, have routinely violated this law, and this law has not been effectively enforced,” White House staff secretary Will Scharf said at the executive order’s signing ceremony.

    • The Trump administration opened investigations into Harvard University; the University of Pennsylvania; the University of California, Berkeley; and, most recently, the University of Michigan over foreign funds. 

    Accreditation is a process colleges and universities are required to go through to gain access to federal financial aid. Using the accreditation process to target institutions that the Trump administration deems “low-quality” could lead to major financial fallouts for the institutions that rely heavily on federal financial aid and could give conservatives a greater say over higher education standards.

    • Trump in April signed an executive order to “overhaul the higher education accreditation system, ensuring colleges and universities deliver high-quality, high-value education free from unlawful discrimination and ideological overreach.” The Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions, a group of some of the largest federally recognized college accreditors, pushed back on Trump’s claims, adding that “ultimately, concerns about accreditor recognition can be escalated to federal court.”

    • A May letter from the Education Department detailed guidance to quicken the process of switching accreditors in an effort to “remove unnecessary requirements and barriers to institutional innovation.” McMahon said the new policy as well as the executive order will “ensure this Department no longer stands as a gatekeeper to block aspiring innovators from becoming new accreditors nor will this Department unnecessarily micromanage an institution’s choice of accreditor.”

    • The Education Department took steps to notify accreditors of violations its Office for Civil Rights found at certain institutions, including Harvard University and Columbia University. It accused both schools of violating federal antidiscrimination laws, saying, in turn, that the schools no longer appear to meet their accreditor’s standards. The agency noted in its press releases that “if a university fails to come into compliance within a specified period, an accreditor must take appropriate action against its member institution.”

    Trump has put a strong focus on banning transgender people from participating in sports, including at colleges and universities. He signed an executive order that declared the federal government recognizes two sexes: male and female. “These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality,” Trump’s executive order states. “Under my direction, the Executive Branch will enforce all sex-protective laws to promote this reality, and the following definitions shall govern all Executive interpretation of and application of Federal law and administration policy.”

    • As part of the executive order declaring that the federal government recognizes two sexes, the Trump administration rescinded Title IX protections prohibiting discrimination that were extended to the LGBTQ+ community during the previous administration.

    • Trump in February signed an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” to “rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities, which results in the endangerment, humiliation, and silencing of women and girls and deprives them of privacy.”

    • The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights launched investigations into several universities, including the University of Pennsylvania over a transgender woman’s participation on the women’s swim team three years ago. The Ivy league school announced in July that it reached a deal with the Trump administration to limit transgender people’s participation in its athletic programs. McMahon called the agreement a “great victory for women and girls not only at the University of Pennsylvania, but all across our nation.”

    [ad_2]

    Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder

    Source link

  • Insights from educators: Priorities for 2023-2024

    Insights from educators: Priorities for 2023-2024

    [ad_1]

    Key points:

    Education news is full of trends and predictions for the new school year, but hearing from the folks doing the work is a more direct path to understanding what educators need at this moment.

    Heading into the 2023-2024 school year, K-12 teachers and principals are sharing their honest views on their goals and challenges. Let’s uncover what really matters to educators and how it’s shaping our schools.

    Question 1: Setting the stage

    When we asked educators about their top goals for the school year, a whopping 75 percent said “building strong communication” was at the top of their list. This goal is the cornerstone of a successful school year. Why? Because solid, consistent communication between school and home builds trust, leading to better attendance and academic achievement, improved behavior, and stronger social-emotional skills. It’s even backed by new research showing that students whose families had the highest levels of trust in their community had the best outcomes coming out of remote learning. So, setting up a good communication routine is a fantastic goal for a successful 2023-24.

    One way to approach it is to picture your communication plan as a funnel:

    Top of the funnel:

    The trick is to make sure every family gets updates through the whole funnel regularly and on a consistent schedule.

    Coming in second place, 55 percent of respondents mentioned “prioritizing self-care.” It is not just acceptable, but essential, to prioritize self-care. Taking time to rest and recharge is vital for personal well-being and sets an example of healthy practices for the entire school community.

    Question 2: Facing challenges head-on

    A top challenge for 71 percent of respondents was “effectively reaching all families with back-to-school information and communication.” Ensuring that crucial information reaches families is directly linked to student success. But it can be a complex task. Families have diverse languages, and information access methods, and some face housing instability. To ensure successful learning recovery, it is essential to get students back to school, and this begins with effective communication with parents and guardians. Districts must adopt a multifaceted approach, which includes clear, positive guidance in families’ home languages on the importance of attendance, group messages to classes or grades with information and expectations, and one-to-one outreach by teachers, advisors, or counselors.

    After the challenge of reaching all families, the next big concern was “making attendance a core value,” mentioned by 45 percent of folks. Research shows that taking a punitive approach to attendance can backfire on students. Instead of encouraging them to show up, it can have the opposite effect. Why? Because students need to know that their presence at school matters. Positive outreach is the way to go.

    Promoting attendance as a core value can take many forms, from a letter from the superintendent in a family’s home language, to building shoutouts for good attendance, to class-wide pizza parties, to simply creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes students want to be at school.

    Question 3: Words of wisdom

    Here are some insightful tips from fellow educators that align with the top goals and challenges our respondents identified:

    • “We stick to our nighttime routine and get to bed early.”
    • “Consistent, short, informative communication.”
    • “Be positive!! Things will work out.”
    • “Starting with an engaging communication activity.”
    • “Breathing and finding calmness.”
    • “Keep my planning calendars from previous years. Allows a framework to begin from each year. Minor tweaks vs. full creation.”
    • “Started a newsletter to communicate celebrations, expectations, and resources for my teachers.”
    • “There’s so much to do as we head back to school; it is easy to get distracted. So, I help myself stay on track by picking a task, setting a timer, and going hard at that one thing (and I put my phone in a different room to lessen distractions).”
    • “Supporting admin and teachers with establishing multiple pathways for communication. one phone call, one email, one newsletter, before our ‘Back to School’ event.”

    In summary, the key takeaway is to communicate openly and take care of yourself.

    Uniting for student success

    In these insights from educators, we can see twin themes for a productive year: strong communication and self-care. Communication is our foundation, self-care our strength, and empathy our guide. By fostering trust, embracing well-being, and addressing challenges head-on, we can make every school day count for every student.

    Thank you to all the educators who shared their insights. Here’s to a year of growth, resilience, and student success!

    Latest posts by eSchool Media Contributors (see all)

    [ad_2]

    Dr. Kara Stern, Head of Education Solutions, SchoolStatus

    Source link

  • Generation USA Partners with Center on Rural Innovation to Offer Free Access to Online Training Programs

    Generation USA Partners with Center on Rural Innovation to Offer Free Access to Online Training Programs

    [ad_1]

    Partnership focuses on four rural areas to reach new segment of students ready for tech training

    Press Release
    –


    updated: May 27, 2021


    WASHINGTON, May 27, 2021 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Generation USA, a nonprofit organization that transforms education to employment, is excited to announce its partnership with Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), a nonprofit action tank advancing inclusive rural prosperity through digital economy ecosystems that support scalable entrepreneurship and tech job creation to offer its free, bootcamp-style online IT Support Specialist program with the goal to train 50 students living in rural America. In partnership with local community organizations, the program will draw from four rural areas around the country — Ada, Oklahoma, Durango, Colorado, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and Taos, New Mexico.

    “Our four community partners have been working diligently to provide new and accessible opportunities like this for their residents,” said Future of Work Talent Lead at CORI, Brett Ellis. “This program fulfills both building a culture of technology and remote work while strengthening connections for students and local communities.”

    Local organizations — the Ada Jobs Foundation, The Generator in Pine Bluff, Fort Lewis College, Southwestern Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs, and the University of New Mexico, Taos Hive — will all work together to help inform their communities and give learners the opportunity to learn more about this free, online job training.

    These programs, which are open to anyone seeking to expand their skill set and pursue a career in the technology field, give students opportunities to build and refine the skills needed to excel and launch new careers upon graduation.

    Through a comprehensive approach to digital economic development, CORI helps community leaders prove what’s possible in rural America. This involves building a nationwide network of local economic change agents; using mapping and data to highlight rural opportunities; making direct investments in underserved rural entrepreneurs; and closing the digital divide so all Americans can participate in the 21st-century digital economy. The organization’s intersection of culture and community complements Generation’s goal of transforming education to employment systems to prepare, place, and support people into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible.

    “We’re thrilled to partner with CORI on serving a new population of students,” said Sean Segal, Generation USA CEO. “With the pandemic-driven surge in remote work, CORI and Generation see a unique opportunity to re-skill rural Americans for the jobs of the future.”

    This is Generation’s first program focused on rural upskilling. In addition to these programs, Generation offers a myriad of online reskilling programs that provide free resources and access to multiple career pathways and full-time employment opportunities in high-demand technology sectors.

    The ITSS program takes 12 weeks to complete. For more information on the IT Support Specialist program or to apply by July 1, prospective participants and interested employers can visit the information site here.

    Made possible by Verizon, through the Verizon Skill Forward Initiative, investing more than $44 million over several years in Generation to help close the opportunity gap for workers and increase access to digital skills. This initiative is part of Verizon’s Citizen Verizon responsible business plan to prepare 500,000 individuals for jobs of the future by 2030.

    About Generation

    Generation USA is a nonprofit organization that provides free career training, placement, and support to help people find life-changing careers. The global pandemic has led to an unprecedented surge in unemployment — 375 million workers of all ages needed to learn new skills by 2030. To date, more than 40,000 people have graduated from Generation programs around the world. For more, visit usa.generation.org.

    About CORI

    The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) is a national nonprofit action tank founded in 2017 to address the dramatic opportunity gap between rural and urban communities that grew out of the Great Recession. CORI is committed to advancing economic prosperity in rural America through the creation of inclusive digital economy ecosystems that support scalable entrepreneurship and tech job creation. For more, visit: ruralinnovation.us

    About Citizen Verizon

    Citizen Verizon is the company’s responsible business plan for economic, environmental and social advancement. Citizen Verizon empowers Verizon to deliver on its mission to move the world forward through action by expanding digital access and resources, protecting the climate, and ensuring people have the skills needed for jobs of the future. Through Citizen Verizon, and the key pillars of Digital Inclusion, Climate Protection and Human Prosperity, the company is committed to providing 10 million youths with digital skills training by 2030, supporting 1 million small businesses with resources to help them thrive in the digital economy by 2030, achieving carbon neutrality in its operations by 2035, and preparing 500,000 individuals for jobs of the future by 2030. Learn more at CitizenVerizon.com.

    Media contact:

    Amy Kauffman
    amy@newswire.com

    Source: Generation USA

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Generation USA Partners with Florida Memorial University to Offer Free Access to Online Training Programs

    Generation USA Partners with Florida Memorial University to Offer Free Access to Online Training Programs

    [ad_1]

    Press Release
    –


    updated: May 13, 2021


    WASHINGTON, May 13, 2021 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Generation USA, a nonprofit organization that transforms education to employment systems, is excited to announce its partnership with Florida Memorial University, an historically-Black, private university in Opa-locka North Miami Gardens, Florida, to offer its free, bootcamp-style online Digital Marketing Analyst (DMA) program with the goal to train 50 students.

    “Our partnership with Generation is giving our students the chance to build a bright future by developing their skill sets and uncovering new career opportunities,” said Jaffrus Hardrick, president of Florida Memorial University. “These online training programs align with our mission to instill in our students the importance of becoming global citizens through life-long learning, leadership, character, and service, which will enhance their lives and the lives of others.”

    Verizon is investing over $44M in workforce development to significantly increase access to a free tech-focused career training program aimed at reskilling Americans. This initiative is part of Citizen Verizon, Verizon’s responsible business plan, with a goal to prepare 500,000 individuals for jobs of the future by 2030.

    These programs, which are open to anyone seeking to expand their skill set and pursue a career in the technology field, give students opportunities to build and refine the skills needed to excel and launch new careers upon graduation.

    Florida Memorial University was founded in 1879 and since then, its students  from a wide variety of ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds have had the great privilege of receiving a quality education with access to 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The school’s intersection of culture and community complements Generation’s goal of transforming education to employment systems to prepare, place, and support people into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible.

    “We’re thrilled to partner with Florida Memorial University to empower its students to create a unique new pathway to career success,” said Sean Segal, Generation USA CEO. “These programs will not only provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for jobs in the digital world, but, through mentorship and social support services, they’ll have the opportunity to learn from others who have been in their shoes before.”

    This is Generation’s second partnership with a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and eighth college partner to sign on since fall 2020. In addition to these programs, Generation offers a myriad of online reskilling programs that provide free resources and access to multiple career pathways and full-time employment opportunities in high-demand technology sectors. These reskilling programs work towards Generation’s goal to train 500,000 students by 2030.

    The DMA program takes 10 weeks to complete. For more information on the Digital Marketing Analyst program or to apply, prospective participants and interested employers can visit the information site here.

    About Generation

    Generation is a nonprofit that transforms education to employment systems to prepare, place, and support people into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible. The global pandemic has led to an unprecedented surge in unemployment. Even before the pandemic, more than 75 million young adults were out of work globally, and three times as many were underemployed—and 375 million workers of all ages needed to learn new skills by 2030. At the same time, certain jobs remain in high-demand, and 40 percent of employers say a skills shortage leaves them with entry-level vacancies. To date, more than 38,000 people have graduated from Generation programs, which prepare them for meaningful careers in 14 countries. Generation works with more than 3,900 employer partners and many implementation partners and funders. For more, visit usa.generation.org.

    About Florida Memorial University

    Florida Memorial University is an institution of higher education founded in 1879 and is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Grounded in the liberal arts tradition, Florida Memorial University is a scholarly community committed to the highest academic standards in undergraduate, graduate, and professional education. Florida Memorial University is a member of the United Negro College Fund and is historically related to Baptist and Christian ideals and values. The University’s main campus is located in the suburban municipality of Miami Gardens, in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The University offers more than 27 undergraduate degree programs and 3 master’s programs in a number of areas, including: Business, Social Work, Visual and Performing Arts, Aviation and Safety, Computer Sciences, Mathematics, & Technology, and Education. Florida Memorial University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Through the University’s Value Statement, of “Leadership, Character, Service, Scholarship, and Accountability,” the University engages with communities to pursue systemic, self-sustaining solutions to human, social, economic and environmental problems.

    About Citizen Verizon

    Citizen Verizon is the company’s responsible business plan for economic, environmental and social advancement. Citizen Verizon empowers Verizon to deliver on its mission to move the world forward through action by expanding digital access and resources, protecting the climate, and ensuring people have the skills needed for jobs of the future. Through Citizen Verizon, and the key pillars of Digital Inclusion, Climate Protection and Human Prosperity, the company is committed to providing 10 million youths with digital skills training by 2030, supporting 1 million small businesses with resources to help them thrive in the digital economy by 2030, achieving carbon neutrality in its operations by 2035, and preparing 500,000 individuals for jobs of the future by 2030. Learn more at CitizenVerizon.com.    

    Media contact:

    Amy Kauffman
    amy@newswire.com

    Source: Generation USA

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Generation USA and ConSol USA Partner to Help Solve the Equity and Employment Gap Among Communities of Color

    Generation USA and ConSol USA Partner to Help Solve the Equity and Employment Gap Among Communities of Color

    [ad_1]

    The partnership ensures 3,000 tech jobs for underrepresented job seekers by the beginning of 2022

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Apr 22, 2021


    WASHINGTON, April 22, 2021 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Generation USA, a workforce development nonprofit, today announced a partnership with ConSol USA, a business process “smart-sourcing” (BPO) organization with a mission focused on recruiting and up-skilling employees for high-demand technology sectors. In the first year of the partnership alone, ConSol has pledged to hire 3,000 Generation graduates by 2022. Together, the two organizations will work to scale sustainable workforce development for underrepresented communities, create a lasting impact on diversity and inclusion, and expand their proven education-to-employment model across the country. 

    Generation will work directly with ConSol’s top clients on a process called “activity mapping,” first analyzing employers’ biggest challenges and then providing well-trained staff with the solutions they’ve directly identified. Both organizations have a 10-year roadmap to expand this partnership together, working toward a larger goal of 300,000 Americans trained and employed in tech by 2030.

    “At ConSol, we’ve developed an innovative, holistic, ecosystem-based approach to offering technology outsourcing; one where support for diverse communities is ‘hard-wired’ into the service we provide to our customers. It is absolutely core to our mission to empower and employ often overlooked talent pools,” said Robert Tibbs, founder, board chair and CEO. “Being able to work closely with Generation in engaging our corporate customers, and to hire talent to grow our teams of associates allows ConSol to reach so many more individuals desperately seeking resources and sustainable employment. This partnership delivers excellence, scale, and sustainability to our talent strategy. The time is now for change. The pandemic has set many communities back even further than before and ConSol and Generation are actively working to level the playing field. There is no effort more important to our country, community, workforce, and economy.”

    ConSol USA focuses on recruiting diverse talent in the technology sector as well as healthcare and finance. The partnership with Generation expands the talent pool for their corporate clients, in turn, offering more jobs to underserved communities and Generation alumni.  

    Generation’s reskilling programs are provided at no cost to the individual and prioritize Black, LatinX, women, and the unemployed or those without a four-year degree. All reskilling programs are now available online since the onset of the pandemic. 

    “Securing jobs for thousands of Generation grads is a game-changer. Our missions are completely aligned—to prepare a diverse talent pipeline and elevate opportunities for marginalized communities,” said Generation USA CEO Sean Segal.  “Partnering with ConSol allows us to scale our reskilling programs, increase employment opportunities and create sustainable career paths for those who need it most. That’s why this partnership is amazing on a nationwide level; it’s not about our organizations, but rather creating a lasting impact and systematic change.”

    The nonprofit celebrated its largest online graduation last month, with over 10 percent of students securing jobs before the ceremony.

    Generation learners and graduates can apply for roles at ConSol beginning summer 2021. For more information about Generation USA, admissions, or how your company or college can get involved visit: usa.generation.org. 

    About Generation

    Generation is a nonprofit that transforms education to employment systems to prepare, place, and support people into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible. The global pandemic has led to an unprecedented surge in unemployment. Even before the pandemic, more than 75 million young adults were out of work globally, and three times as many were underemployed—and 375 million workers of all ages needed to learn new skills by 2030. At the same time, certain jobs remain in high-demand, and 40 percent of employers say a skills shortage leaves them with entry-level vacancies. To date, more than 40,000 people have graduated from Generation programs, which prepare them for meaningful careers in 14 countries. Generation works with more than 3,900 employer partners and many implementation partners and funders. For more, visit usa.generation.org.

    About ConSol USA 

    Founded by an African-American global entrepreneur, we are a minority led and controlled for-profit social enterprise. We provide outsourced technology and operational services to corporations with a focus on cybersecurity, data analytics and other key in-demand technology roles. Our unique ecosystem-based solution represents a new model in workforce development for delivering sustainable and scalable diversity by recruiting from underserved communities nationally. We employ overlooked talent and provide any required up-skilling to meet the exact needs of our clients in their high demand, technology-focused jobs. Our “smart sourcing” model also helps our clients increase operational efficiency, reduce risks and close critical skill gaps rapidly.

    Media contact:

    Amy Kauffman 
    amy@newswire.com

    Source: Generation USA

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • The She-Cession: Women Disappearing From the Workforce

    The She-Cession: Women Disappearing From the Workforce

    [ad_1]

    Women’s History Month begs the question, what does the future hold for women and work?

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Mar 8, 2021


    WASHINGTON, March 8, 2021 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Generation USA, a global workforce development nonprofit, today announced its social campaign celebrating the eight diverse women in its C-suite, working to further opportunities for women, particularly women of color, through the organization’s reskilling programs and career and additional support offered at no cost; the mission of Generation is even more critical as the recession has decimated jobs in sectors dominated by female workers of color and the organization credits its own diversity for the success of their efforts and in turn, the impact for students and alumni reentering the workforce.

    “It was important for me to join an organization that intentionally values equity, diversity, and inclusion in its growth plan,” said Morgan Watson, Chief of Staff. “We want to set an example for our students, our alumni, and our partners that building a diverse organization — most importantly at the executive and leadership level — is crucial for success in the 21st century.”

    According to the National Women’s Law Center, women have lost 5.4 million jobs since the pandemic began and women participating in the labor force is at its lowest since 

    1988. Black women and Latinas had higher rates of unemployment before the pandemic; in February 2020, 2.8 percent of white women were unemployed, compared with nearly 5 percent of Latinas and Black women. In December, those rates nearly doubled, with Black women being twice as likely to be the breadwinner of their families compared to white women.

    “More than 50% of our participants are women and nearly a third have dependents,” said Sienna Daniel, Chief Growth and Impact Officer. “Our programs are geared to help get women into a sector where traditionally, they’ve been left behind.”

    Generation’s reskilling programs prioritize women and underserved communities for admission into its reskilling programs, now all available online. The nonprofit celebrated its largest online graduation last month, with over 10 percent of students securing jobs before the ceremony. Generation supports students after graduation as well, creating a community that helps women of color lead sustainable career paths. 

    “At Generation USA, we’re a diverse staff of more than 90 individuals, over 74% who identify as women,” said Jeannie Guzman, Chief People Officer. “More than 75% of our leadership team identifies as women, too. We believe this is key for our organization — to represent the same diverse backgrounds of the students we seek to serve.”

    As Generation works to transform the education to employment ecosystem, the nonprofit along with its partner Verizon, have committed to reskilling 500,000 individuals by 2030, focused on elevating women and marginalized communities in the workforce.

    For more information about Generation USA, admissions, or how your company or college can get involved visit: usa.generation.org.

    About Generation

    Generation is a nonprofit that transforms education to employment systems to prepare, place, and support people into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible. The global pandemic has led to an unprecedented surge in unemployment. Even before the pandemic, more than 75 million young adults were out of work globally, and three times as many were underemployed—and 375 million workers of all ages needed to learn new skills by 2030. At the same time, certain jobs remain in high-demand, and 40 percent of employers say a skills shortage leaves them with entry-level vacancies. To date, more than 40,000 people have graduated from Generation programs, which prepare them for meaningful careers in 14 countries. Generation works with more than 3,900 employer partners and many implementation partners and funders. For more, visit usa.generation.org.

    Media Contact

    Amy Kauffman
    amy@newswire.com

    Source: Generation USA

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Generation USA Graduates Largest Cohort of Online Students

    Generation USA Graduates Largest Cohort of Online Students

    [ad_1]

    Bootcamp offers unemployed and underemployed technical, soft skills, and connections to sustainable employment

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Feb 24, 2021


    WASHINGTON, February 24, 2021 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Generation USA, a workforce development nonprofit transforming the education to employment ecosystem, offers reskilling and training programs at no cost to the unemployed with priority admissions for Black and Latinx communities, as well as women, announced its largest class of online graduates.

    WHO: 171 students from Dallas, D.C., Seattle, and Miami, ages 18 to 40+ who participated in training programs led by Generation USA – a workforce development nonprofit organization – celebrated graduation and embarking on sustainable careers that will change the course of their lives. 

    The graduates, many from underserved communities, persevered through challenging courses and overcame many obstacles along the way. They gained the technical and behavioral skills needed to embark on sustainable new careers in fields with many opportunities.

    WHAT: Graduates participated in three programs: Jr. Web Developer, IT Help Desk, and Jr. Cloud Practitioner. A combined 86% of learners in both the cloud and web developer programs passed industry-recognized certification exams. More than 10% of graduates had job offers before the ceremony.

    On average, graduates earn 3x what they were prior to the program. More than 50% of participants are women, nearly 40% have dependents, and 66% of learners identify as Black or African-American, and 55% have a high school education or less. 

    Graduates not only learned the job-specific skills–they also learned “soft skills” that will help them navigate every aspect of life. They are confident, motivated, and ready to interview with employer partners across the country, while career coaches continue to provide support. 

    “I’m feeling excited for my future. Thank you Generation USA for helping me achieve the beginnings of my dreams!” said Mira Winkel.

    “It’s awesome to be certified after an intense and informative training camp. I’m looking forward to putting this knowledge to good use,” said Buddy Burlison.

    Verizon is investing more than $44 million over several years in Generation to help close the opportunity gap for workers and increase access to digital skills. This initiative is part of Verizon’s Citizen Verizon responsible business plan to prepare 500,000 individuals for jobs of the future by 2030.

    Please contact jessicar@generation.org to speak with graduates about how the Generation training changed the trajectory of their lives and what comes next–a story to uplift the community.

    About Generation

    Generation is a nonprofit that transforms education to employment systems to prepare, place, and support people into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible. The global pandemic has led to an unprecedented surge in unemployment. Even before the pandemic, more than 75 million young adults were out of work globally, and three times as many were underemployed—and 375 million workers of all ages needed to learn new skills by 2030. At the same time, certain jobs remain in high-demand, and 40 percent of employers say a skills shortage leaves them with entry-level vacancies. To date, more than 38,000 people have graduated from Generation programs, which prepare them for meaningful careers in 14 countries. Generation works with more than 3,900 employer partners and many implementation partners and funders. For more, visit usa.generation.org. 

    About Citizen Verizon
    Citizen Verizon is the company’s responsible business plan for economic, environmental and social advancement. Citizen Verizon empowers Verizon to deliver on its mission to move the world forward through action by expanding digital access and resources, protecting the climate, and ensuring people have the skills needed for jobs of the future. Through Citizen Verizon, and the key pillars of Digital Inclusion, Climate Protection and Human Prosperity, the company is committed to providing 10 million youths with digital skills training by 2030, supporting 1 million small businesses with resources to help them thrive in the digital economy by 2030, achieving carbon neutrality in its operations by 2035, and preparing 500,000 individuals for jobs of the future by 2030. Learn more at CitizenVerizon.com.    

    Media Contact

    Amy Kauffman
    amy@newswire.com

    Source: Generation USA

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Generation Awarded Grant in MIT Reimagining Pathways to Employment in US Challenge

    Generation Awarded Grant in MIT Reimagining Pathways to Employment in US Challenge

    [ad_1]

    Funding to develop pilot programs and partnerships to combat racial and gender inequality in education, workforce

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Feb 10, 2021


    WASHINGTON, February 10, 2021 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Solve, a marketplace for social impact innovation, today announced Generation USA, a global workforce development nonprofit, as a winner of its 2021 Reimagining Pathways to Employment in the US Challenge and recipient of $125,000 in funding to launch pilot programs across the country in collaboration with US Workforce Boards. The initiative combats racial and gender injustices in the US that continue to hinder the education, employment, and earning potential of historically marginalized communities. 

    MIT Solve—in partnership with the Morgridge Family Foundation, New Profit, and others—created the Reimagining Pathways to Employment in the US Challenge to combat racial and gender inequality. The Challenge is an opportunity to identify, support, and scale promising solutions that accelerate pathways to current and future employment—especially for underserved communities.

    These grants fund the development of validation pilots with innovative US Workforce Boards for the benefit of an anticipated 1 million displaced workers. This funding allows solutions to be offered at no cost to participating workers. MIT Solve will support the development and implementation of these partnerships. In addition to funding, winning teams receive IBM Cloud Credits and virtual coaching with IBM experts.

    Generation USA, in partnership with community colleges and employer partners, transforms the education to employment systems to prepare, place, and support people into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible. The nonprofit’s reskilling program is delivered at no-cost and designed for workers who are unemployed, underemployed, facing job displacement due to automation, or displaced by the pandemic, with a focus on vulnerable populations and those facing systemic challenges, giving priority to Black and Latinx applicants, women and those who do not have a four-year degree. 

    “Generation is only about six years old. Globally, our organization has trained more than 40,000 people, and by 2030 in the U.S., we’re working to train and place 500,000,” said Sean Segal, CEO of Generation USA. “Work is at the heart of all we are in America. It’s where we spend the majority of our time. It affects our health, our sense of self, our families, our way of life, and the generational impact we’ll have. So for us, getting connected to organizations like MIT Solve, workforce boards, and IBM is an incredible honor and opportunity for us to expand our footprint to make a dent in the unemployment problem plaguing so many communities in our country.”

    The MIT Solve challenge asked the question: “How can workers in the United States attain the knowledge and learn the skills needed to access sustainable jobs and livelihoods in the new economy?” Generation USA and its education model is the solution to this challenge and will launch reskilling pilot programs to:

    • Increase access to high-quality, no-cost learning, skill-building, and training opportunities for those entering the workforce, transitioning between jobs, or facing unemployment.
    • Enable learners to make informed decisions about which pathways and jobs best suit them, including promoting the benefits of non-degree pathways to employment.
    • Implement competency-based models for life-long learning, support, and credentialing.
    • Match current and future employer and industry needs with education providers, workforce development programs, and diverse job seekers.
    • Drive resources and support to Black, Indigenous, and Latinx entrepreneurs and innovators, who receive a fraction of funding in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, despite their frequent proximity to workforce challenges and the systems-focused solutions needed to solve them.

    To learn more about Generation, visit: usa.generation.org.

    About Generation

    Generation is a nonprofit that transforms education to employment systems to prepare, place, and support people into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible. The global pandemic has led to an unprecedented surge in unemployment. Even before the pandemic, more than 75 million young adults were out of work globally, and three times as many were underemployed—and 375 million workers of all ages needed to learn new skills by 2030. At the same time, certain jobs remain in high-demand, and 40 percent of employers say a skills shortage leaves them with entry-level vacancies. To date, more than 38,000 people have graduated from Generation programs, which prepare them for meaningful careers in 14 countries. Generation works with more than 3,900 employer partners and many implementation partners and funders. For more, visit usa.generation.org.

    About Solve

    Solve is an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a mission to solve world challenges. Solve is a marketplace for social impact innovation. Through open innovation Challenges, Solve finds incredible tech-based social entrepreneurs all around the world. Solve then brings together MIT’s innovation ecosystem and a community of Members to fund and support these entrepreneurs to help them drive lasting, transformational impact. Join Solve on this journey at solve.mit.edu.

    Generation USA Media Contact:
    Amy Kauffman
    amy@newswire.com

    Source: Generation USA

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Generation USA Makes Major Impact with Impact Hiring Initiative

    Generation USA Makes Major Impact with Impact Hiring Initiative

    [ad_1]

    The non-profit prepares, guides, and supports people for life-changing, sustainable careers.

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Nov 23, 2020


    WASHINGTON, November 23, 2020 (Newswire.com)
    –
    ​​Systematic racism continues to plague minority groups, and it’s especially apparent when it comes to the job hunt.

    Generation USA, a Washington, D.C.-based company that transforms education to employment systems, is addressing this discrepancy with impact hiring. 

    According to The Rockefeller Foundation, black workers face unemployment rates that are almost five percentage points higher than the national rate, while Latinx workers face rates almost three percentage points greater than the overall average. 

    This is a clear indication of the importance of impact hiring, as it places an emphasis on hiring, retaining, and promoting entry-level talent from marginalized groups.

    “Impact hiring can provide the employer with the data they need to vet applicants who might lack experience but are well-suited to succeed in available positions,” said Sean Segal, Chief Executive Officer, Generation USA. “If you go beyond the surface, impact hiring presents a great opportunity for employers, employees, and economic health.” 

    Generation USA understands the trials and tribulations minority groups face when it comes to finding a job and, through their workforce development program, they’ve narrowed their focus on hiring initiatives with alternative populations. 

    Through their data-centered, seven component methodology, Generation USA serves unemployed, underemployed, or those who need to learn new skills. 

    The non-profit currently has programs in 14 cities and addresses the recruiting and hiring processes to find ways to put marginalized employees in a place to succeed and on the right path to evolve into larger roles within an organization. 

    Generation USA is pushing back on systematic racism, as they have extensive experience in serving opportunity youth and promoting diversity inclusion. 

    In fact, 85 percent of learners are black or Latinx, 62 percent have a high school diploma or GED, and 40 percent of learners have dependents. 

    By leveraging the importance of impact hiring, Generation USA will continue to provide its students with mentorship and the support they need to excel and launch into a new career. 

    About Generation

    Generation is a nonprofit that transforms education to employment systems to prepare, place, and support people into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible. The global pandemic has led to an unprecedented surge in unemployment. Even before the pandemic, more than 75 million young adults were out of work globally, and three times as many were underemployed—and 375 million workers of all ages needed to learn new skills by 2030. At the same time, certain jobs remain in high-demand, and 40 percent of employers say a skills shortage leaves them with entry-level vacancies. To date, more than 38,000 people have graduated from Generation programs, which prepare them for meaningful careers in 14 countries. Generation works with more than 3,900 employer partners and many implementation partners and funders. For more, visit usa.generation.org.

    Media Contact

    Amy Kauffman

    amy@newswire.com

    Source: Generation USA

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Generation Provides Opportunities for the Unemployed During Pandemic, Addresses Widening Gap

    Generation Provides Opportunities for the Unemployed During Pandemic, Addresses Widening Gap

    [ad_1]

    The Washington D.C.-based organization offers 100 percent free, online programs to provide individuals with technical and soft skills necessary to succeed in a variety of roles

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Oct 13, 2020


    WASHINGTON, October 13, 2020 (Newswire.com)
    –
    ​​​The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of Americans; however, between February and April, Black workers saw a greater loss in employment than white workers, according to the Economic Policy Institute, which noted that in April less than half of the black adult population was employed, further devastating a community that traditionally experiences higher unemployment rates, lower wages and with less savings to fall back on.

    This gap continues to widen and data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis found the unemployment rate for white workers in August was 7.3 percent – lower than the national average – while the rate for Black workers was 13 percent.

    Generation USA is addressing this discrepancy by providing communities of color and those who are unemployed or underemployed with the resources they need to begin successful, sustainable careers.

    “Though some are experiencing a gradual recovery from the economic fallout of the pandemic, the reality is that any recovery occurring is disproportionally benefiting only the upper half of the U.S. population. Given demographics, it is rapidly becoming apparent that Black workers are facing an uphill battle to join or rejoin the workforce,” said Sean Segal, Chief Executive Officer of Generation USA, “That’s why we’ve committed to train 500,000 students by 2030 – so we can do our part in getting jobs to communities where there are clear discrepancies in equity.”

    Generation prepares, guides, and supports people for life-changing careers by leveraging data and combining partnerships between employers and community organizations with mentorship and support to help students excel.

    The hallmarks of Generation’s approach include a rapid launch process, boot camp-style training and placement, and individualized education plans with resources and support that position the company to serve the massive, newly unemployed population.

    This holistic program addresses both personal and professional goals to create pathways for career success through coaching and mentoring, instruction, and support and resources. 

    Students of the program have access to coaches and mentors who:

    • Help with cover letters and resumes

    • Understand program outcomes

    • Access resources for personal and professional goals

    The program’s instructors provide:

    • Delivery of technical content

    • Insight into the field/industry

    • Guidance on certifications and industry credentials

    Depending on the program, different resources may be available in different locations, but the Learner Experience team helps connect learners to a variety of resources including:

    Generation’s mission is clear, to provide a meaningful career and sustained well-being for every person. 

    This is especially true in uncertain times like these as Generation continues to give students the strong foundation and necessary support they need to manage their lives during the program so they can focus on learning and achieving their goals. 

    To learn more about Generation or become a student or partner visit: usa.generation.org. 

    About Generation

    Generation USA is a nonprofit that transforms education to employment systems to prepare, place, and support people into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible. The global pandemic has led to an unprecedented surge in unemployment. Even before the pandemic, more than 75 million young adults were out of work globally, and three times as many were underemployed—and 375 million workers of all ages needed to learn new skills by 2030. At the same time, certain jobs remain in high-demand, and 40 percent of employers say a skills shortage leaves them with entry-level vacancies. To date, more than 38,000 people have graduated from Generation programs, which prepare them for meaningful careers in 14 countries. Generation works with more than 3,900 employer partners and many implementation partners and funders. For more, visit usa.generation.org.

    Media Contact

    Amy Kauffman
    amy@newswiremail.io

    Source: Generation USA

    [ad_2]

    Source link