How community-embedded workforce organizations center racial equity, credentialing, and training to create stronger neighborhoods
In 2020, The Century Foundation (TCF) and the Urban Manufacturing Alliance (UMA) convened a national cohort of eight organizations to share best practices and strategies to expand workforce models that connect diverse communities to careers in manufacturing while also identifying policies to scale these efforts.
The cohort members (including Menomonee Valley Partners) determined that with the right models in place, un-employed and under-employed adults of all ages are able obtain the necessary skills to gain employment in a rewarding career in manufacturing. More thoughtful investment creates further opportunities for skills advancement and wage progression.
After a year of webinars, learning sessions, and collaborative discussions about the current state and future of workforce development, this report strives to answer the question: How do community-embedded workforce organizations center racial equity, credentialing, and training to create a stronger neighborhoods? The report features a collection of technical descriptions of each of the cohort member organizations and personal profiles of local stakeholders - from educators and trainees, to staff and service providers. Along with these snapshots are reflections on the commonalities among the organizations despite working in different cities, with different audiences, and engaging different manufacturing ecosystems.
You can view Menomonee Valley Partners’ profile below or access the entire report here.
