6 Things Needed for Inclusive Economic Recovery

Review written by Bishara Addison, TE Senior Manager, Policy & Strategic Initiatives In order to realize that vision, however, skills policies targeting industries and workers need champions at the state and federal levels. In addition, income and social safety net supports are essential to support job seekers as they weather the storm into this reimagined…

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Policy Corner: June 2020

Policy Corner: We are following the following issues in the statehouse: Fines and fees related to driver’s license reinstatement Legislative Win! HB 285 has passed in the Ohio House and Senate! HB 285 will make permanent the Driver’s License Reinstatement Fee Debt Reduction and Amnesty Program. This is an important policy for Towards Employment participants.…

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Workforce and the Digital Divide

Written by Bishara Addison, Senior Manager, Policy & Strategic Initiatives I find it hard to find words these days. There are so many crucial conversations that need to be had. In the midst of two public health crises – one new, and one that has existed under the surface for some while very apparent for…

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Letter to the editor: Prioritize young adults in post-pandemic recovery

Recovery is an opportunity for a more inclusive economy,” Jill Rizika, the executive director of Towards Employment, a Generation Work partner, outlined a strategy for ensuring that our post-pandemic economy works better for everyone. She highlighted the need to embrace the alignment of systems, the investments in human capital, and the scaling of proven practices…

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Recovery is an opportunity for a more inclusive economy

Written by Jill Rizika, originally published to Crain’s Cleveland Business on April 18, 2020 “Chris” came to Towards Employment underemployed due to a criminal record. Through a series of assessments, he discovered an aptitude for manufacturing. With a TE scholarship and ongoing coaching, he gained a CNC machining credential. Four years later, up until the…

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TE @ Home

Did you know what “WFH” stood for a month ago? “Work From Home” has become a new normal that many workers, including Towards Employment staff, are adjusting to in the wake of coronavirus social distancing protocols. Staci Wampler, recently promoted to Director of Industry Partnerships at Towards Employment, had to quickly jump in and adapt…

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December Policy Corner

Towards Employment is following these issues in the statehouse: a. Fines and fees related to driver’s license reinstatement Legislative Opportunity: Support HB285 (has passed in the Ohio House) in the Senate to make permanent the Driver’s License Reinstatement Fee Debt Reduction and Amnesty Program as well as expand the number of people who qualify b.…

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The Cleveland Browns & TE Partnership

By Rebecca Shankman I have been to two Cleveland Browns football games in my life. The first, the Browns beat the New England Patriots; this was a surprise. The second, the entire stadium cheered as a video of the “team” I was going to spend the summer working with (Towards Employment) was shown on the…

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Eliminating the Income Gap: A New Way to Define Economic Success

Eliminating the Income Gap: A New Way to Define Economic Success By Sara McCarthy, Director of Communications, Fund for Our Economic Future A recent post on this blog highlighted the outcomes of TalentNEO, a Northeast Ohio demonstration project operated by Towards Employment and supported by the Fund for Our Economic Future, that tested the use…

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