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Workforce Readiness Committee
The Workforce Readiness Committee's Mission
Our mission is to form
partnerships with RI State, local agencies, and educational institutions
to identify and communicate Workforce Readiness policy and program
initiatives impacting new entrants, incumbents, transitional employees,
and employers in the local labor market.
Visit our Workforce
Readiness
News Page
Visit our Workforce Readiness
Resources/Links Page
Review of Workforce Readiness Objectives, Partnerships, Action Plans
and Activities 2007/2008
2008 Goals
- Workforce Readiness Committee Focus: New Entrants into the Workforce-High school, Technical High School and College students
- Provide information to students about careers and how skills learned in elementary through high school are essential to success on the job.
- Inform SHRM members of programs in place in RI, encourage their participation in these programs
- Partner and collaborate with School to Work Coordinators, Junior Achievement, educators, chamber of commerce and other key leaders of local educational organizations
- Seek Representation on RI Workforce Readiness Committees who support new entrants.
2008 Objectives
- Develop partnerships with RI Workforce Readiness providers, encourage member participation in established mentoring programs for youth in our community. Increase local SHRM member mentor participation.
- Survey member participation in Youth Workforce Readiness activity. Recognize involvement and achievement
2008 Action Plan/Activities
- Recruit Volunteers through Workforce Readiness Website, Workforce Readiness Resource Link, Breakfast Meeting presentation
- Support the Groundhog Job Shadow Day Program/Breakfast Meeting Kickoff/Member Recruitment
- Partner with Lori Norris, Chief Youth Service, DLT, in coordinating industry members/HRM and SHRIC member participation in focus group activity with the goal of identifying necessary youth competencies, barriers to effective placement of youth and more effective partnership of employers and DLT in support of youth workforce readiness.
- October Breakfast meeting slated for Lori Norris to speak on the RI State Youth Workforce Development system and Industry partner feedback
- Prepare electronic survey of members to identify youth workforce readiness mentor activity and barriers to engagement.
Why SHRM Is Focusing on Workforce Readiness Initiatives
Workforce Readiness initiatives have become a focal point of SHRM. SHRM
Focus Groups have identified signifigant Skills Gaps in new entrants,
incumbents, and transitional workers entering the workforce. With 78
Million Baby Boomers
preparing to retire, human resource professionals face a skills shortage
that will have a direct impact on our organization bench strength.
Our college dropouts are the fastest growing population in the U.S.
Only 27% of 25-29 year olds had bachelor’s degrees in 2003. (SHRM Workplace
Readiness Presentation)
A 2005 SHRM Future of the US Labor Pool Survey identified the following
skills deficiencies:
- 59% lack overall professionalism
- 58% lack written communication skills
- 47% lack analytical skills
- 44% lack verbal communication skills
- 36% lack interpersonal skills
It is the role and responsibility of HR to lead organizations in the development
of competitive business practices in order to minimize the impact of the
labor/skills shortage. As strategic HR professionals we can facilitate a
bridge between the educational system and the business community, streamline
access to continuous learning programs and identify the skill sets required
of the next generation.
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