210 likes | 295 Views
Better Jobs for Latino Workers: Brighter Future for North Carolina. Colin Austin, MDC, Inc. Astrid Chirinos, Diverso Global Strategies Deborah Kelly, Centro de Acción Latino. Greensboro, North Carolina May 21, 2005. What is Latino Pathways?.
E N D
Better Jobs for Latino Workers: Brighter Future for North Carolina Colin Austin, MDC, Inc. Astrid Chirinos, Diverso Global Strategies Deborah Kelly, Centro de Acción Latino Greensboro, North Carolina May 21, 2005
What is Latino Pathways? Latino Pathways is a program of community partners in Charlotte and Greensboro with a common goal to expand career opportunities for Latino immigrants in key industry sectors. Research and planning support: Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation
Education and Earnings Source: 2000 U.S. Census
Age Profile Source: 2000 U.S. Census
Specific Occupations Source: 2000 U.S. Census
Latino Pathways Interviews with the Latino community
Why is employment an issue for community organizations? • Main concern within the Latino community • Majority of questions we get are about jobs
How can we get community input? • Personal interviews • Focus groups • Key informants
Job advancement trainings • Most received trainings to perform their job only • Most knew that their jobs offered no advancement opportunities • Most viewed their improvement in English as their tool to a better job
Barriers to trainings • Everyone mentioned English as their barrier to job advancement and to trainings • Some viewed their work schedules as a barrier
How can we get involved? • Advocacy within groups • Weave agenda into other projects • Networking
Hispanic Initiatives at NC Community Colleges Telephone survey and web site scan of all 58 community colleges in North Carolina, August 2004. Conducted by: Jaime Espinosa, Curriculum Committee of the Hispanic/Latino Initiative
Major Findings • 21 out of 58 colleges were able to respond to questions over the phone; • 9 colleges have Hispanic-related programs other than ESL; • 5 colleges have officials within the college that coordinate Hispanic initiatives.
Hispanic-related Programs • ESL • REAL (Rural Entrepreneurship) • Family Literacy • Citizenship classes • Plaza Comunitaria • Leadership
Contact Information Colin Austin MDC, Inc. (919) 968-4531 Astrid Chirinos Diverso Global Strategies (704) 451-3978 Deborah Kelly Centro de Acción Latino (336) 274-1188