Panelist on the NPR program, Eight Forty-Eight
Topic:
Workforce Development
Ms. Aranda-Suh served on a panel comprised of workforce development content experts including the Workforce Investment Board (www.workforceboardsmetrochicago.org) liaison to the Cook County Board, Ray Bentley, and Associate Director of the Chicago Jobs Council (cjc.net), Carrie Thomas. The panel was selected for their knowledge of workforce development, specifically their knowledge of various, city, state and national employment programs and initiatives.
The panel agreed that there is a connection between economic development and workforce development. Economic growth will be achieved through small business and in order for small business to thrive, they need quality employees. The panel also agreed that the key for small business and individuals will be connecting job seekers with jobs. This has to be accomplished through partnerships with non-profits, the public sector and employers. This is a point Ms. Aranda-Suh has stressed for years tailoring many NLEI programs to address this issue.
In a question regarding access to technology as a common problem jobseekers face, Ms. Aranda-Suh listed some resources that provide access to technology to the public, but more importantly stressed that access in not enough. Job seekers often need someone to work with them to help them navigate employer online applications.
Education was a major topic. Many callers, both young and old, spoke about not being able to find work after college. Ms. Aranda-Suh stressed the importance of carefully selecting a school or training program. She mentioned her desire for educational institutions take into account the issues obstructing economic development. She reiterated the importance of education and job training, citing a Georgetown University study finding that by 2018, 63% of jobs will require a college degree.
Another common question was the effect of the “1099 economy” on the current job market, meaning the increased number of independently contracted workers, who file a 1099 tax form. She talked about how as the economy and technology have changed, meaning workers now need flexibility and ability to be skilled in many different fields. As part of that, people are becoming more entrepreneurial. As a result, startups and new businesses are fueling the growth of the economy. Later, Ms. Aranda-Suh spoke about various programs designed to give people the capitol they need to start a business.
Keynote Speaker:
Elba Aranda-Suh
Keynote:
Breaking the cycle of poverty by forging a path to economic success
Elba Aranda-Suh delivered the keynote speech during the Lake County Chamber of Commerce 4th Annual Hispanic Scholarship Gala which was attended by business and political leaders, stressing how workforce development in the Hispanic community will be the key to future economic growth and the pivotal role education plays in that process.
In her speech, delivered before featured speaker Senator Iris Y. Martinez, of the 20th District, Ms. Aranda-Suh mentioned a recent poll conducted by Inc. Magazine shows that in 2012, 96% of small businesses plan to add employees. Despite this, 40 % of the same small businesses cited the greatest obstacle to economical growth is finding qualified applicants. Considering that one in seven (15.4%) Americans is Hispanic, a number expected to almost triple by 2050, and that one in three American workers is Hispanic, yet Hispanic unemployment is 3% higher than the national average, the statistics clearly show that Hispanics will play a major role in the future of the economy.
Ms. Aranda-Suh realized that through a collaborative effort between businesses, community organizations, and educational institutions, Hispanics can have a tremendous positive effect on future economical growth. She spoke about her work at the National Latino Educational Institute (NLEI) designing programs that forge a path for Latino success through industry-driven career education that establish the foundation for future career advancement and economic success.
NLEI offers programs accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, and the Illinois State Board of Education. Ms. Aranda-Suh pointed out how important this is because it means that NLEI students can apply some of the classes they take through the program towards two and four year institutions. At this time, NLEI is the only national community based organization with this ability. Because of the high standards of all the programs NLEI offers and the partnerships she has created with businesses, students have the option of entering the workforce as a qualified middle skill worker or pursuing higher education at a four year university and ultimately enter the workforce as a high skill worker.
Ms. Aranda-Suh ended by highlighting some statistics that show the success of the NLEI programs: 100% certificate passing rate for registered medical assistants, 91% certificate passing rate for national bilingual medical assistants, 98% employer satisfactory rate, 90% allied health job placement, 85% overall job placement, and maybe most important, graduates garner entry wages 19 % above the poverty rate for a family of four in Cook County. NLEI is not just ending cycles of generational poverty but launching fruitful careers and instilling a life long thirst for learning to create cycles of generational prosperity.
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