mopdf.com

Central 70 Workforce Development ProgramQuarterly Report Submission #6November 2017-December 2017Submitted: January 2018

Quarterly OverviewChange in Reporting CycleThe sixth quarter was shortened by one month to align thereporting cycles for this FHWA OJT-SS grant and the CommunityCollege of Denver’s Center for Workforce Initiatives (CWI). Thisreport includes only those activities that were completed duringNovember and December 2017. The next report will resume theprior three-month schedule. The Tracking Outcomes table onpages 6 reflects this change.Development of Collaborative Model:Branding, Reporting, and LaunchThe collaborative approach to address systemic employmentbarriers, which was developed using priorities identified byconstruction sector workforce stakeholders at CDOT’s RoundTables, continued with intensive coordination sessions led by CWIand their branding and communications consultants, RNR andCombs Communication Partners. These sessions were funded byGary Community Investments, but the programmatic structureswill directly influence the collective impact of training andresource partners to benefit workforce development for Central 70.The official brand is set to launch in mid-February 2018.Colorado Resource Partners (CORE), integrates eight resourceand recruiting organizations and nine technical training partnersfor comprehensive construction workforce readiness and careersuccess. CORE presents the employment platform, WORKNOW,which will place, retain, and advance workers on Central 70 andother regional infrastructure or enterprise projects to build incomesfor families through high-wage jobs and targeted resource support.WORKNOW participants include all individuals accessingtraining and/or supportive service resources through CORE, notlimited to activities funded by this FHWA OJT-SS grant.Quarter #6 KeyAccomplishments The Central 70 WorkforceDevelopment Programmet its annual goals forparticipants, trainees,and individuals employedin the constructionsector. On Nov. 4, Central 70hosted a ConstructionOpen House at theNeighborhood TrainingCenter. Both Training andResource partnersassociated with theCentral 70 WorkforceDevelopment Programattended. Forty-one arearesidents attended, and34 of these attendeesrequested additionalinformation.As the inaugural, catalytic project utilizing WORKNOW, Central70 is one of several WORKNOW funders, as well as a keybeneficiary of WORKNOW services. Even WORKNOWparticipants who have not received services directly funded byCentral 70 will be eligible for recruitment on the project. For thisreason, all future quarterly reports will identify both, 1) all trainingand supportive services offered by WORKNOW, and 2) thoseactivities funded by Central 70. This will accurately reflect theincreased overall impact of a collective model when multiplefunders strategically leverage their investments.Page 1

In the Tracking Outcomes table on page 6, “WORKNOW: Central 70” participants include individualsaccessing WORKNOW activities that this federal grant funded fully or in part.Neighborhood Training CenterIn the sixth quarter, training and resource activities continued at the Neighborhood Training Center (NTC)located in Elyria-Swansea, a community adjacent to I-70 that is impacted most by the project. In addition tothe CWI career coach, a Colorado-based nonprofit, mpowered, began staffing financial coaches at the NTC.mpowered coaches noted that the NTC provided a closer location for some of their clients living near I-70.Strategic PartnershipWORKNOW activities are separated into three major categories: 1) Targeted Outreach andRecruitment, 2) Training and Job Readiness, and 3) Placement and Retention.This quarter, 53 individuals were enrolled in WORKNOW; 21 of those 53 (40%) were funded directly withCentral 70 funds. This report includes all WORKNOW participants and activities. Activities funded partiallyor entirely by Central 70 are denoted by an asterisk (*); even WORKNOW participants who have not receivedservices directly funded by Central 70 will be eligible for recruitment on the project, thus leveraging funds toincrease placement, retention, and advancement of workers on infrastructure projects, including Central 70.1. Targeted Outreach and RecruitmentConstruction Open House*CDOT and CWI co-hosted a Construction Open House at the NTC on Nov. 4, 2017. The event was forlocal residents interested in learning more about construction training and resource programs. 41 arearesidents attended, 34 of attendees requested additional information through a sign-in process, and 25completed intake paperwork to access one of the featured partner resources. The top reason for attendancewas a desire to get a job in construction. The second highest reason identified by attendees was the needfor more advanced skill upgrades, followed by a need for basic industry skills training.Peer-to-Peer Sessions*CWI continued using the peer-to-peer concept, which engages local residents from historically underrepresented groups, including women and people of color, who have been successful in the constructionindustry. CWI conducted a peer-to-peer outreach session at the Montbello Recreation Center on Nov. 15,2017. Five local training partners and peer speakers participated in the peer-to-peer community session.Peer Pathway material has been integrated into the Central 70 website and used to market trainingprograms. The next round of civil construction peer pathways posters are currently in production andshould be available by the next operational quarter.Industry-wide Knowledge Sharing*CWI and CDOT are working with the Denver Metro Construction Sector Partnership to develop a regionalindustry website promoting industry occupations in general. This site is expected to launch in late spring2018 and serves to provide a more positive general industry image to job seekers who want to learn moreabout the industry. This site features photos, videos and success stories of local individuals working in thetrades with links training organization information.Networking and Mentoring Sessions*Hispanic Contractors of Colorado (HCC) and CWI co-sponsored an informal networking session on Nov.14 at the NTC. HCC co-sponsored an informal networking session on Nov. 14 at the NTC. The intent ofPage 2

this event was to provide support and career advancement information for current construction industryemployees and individuals seeking to build their career or potentially open their own industry specificbusiness. Eleven WorkNow participants attended the first session, with networking programming providedby Hispanic Colorado Contractors Academy.2. Training and Job ReadinessSupportive Services*Eighteen of the 53 WORKNOW participants (34%) accessed supportive service resources including buspasses or personal protective equipment (PPE). The most utilized resource was transit assistance, followedby work boots. Since program launch, transit assistance included bus passes and bus tickets.This grant paid for 14 pairs of women’s work boots and 14 bus passes.Career CoachingForty-five of the 53 WORKNOW participants (85%), accessed an intensive career planning session with aCWI coach. These sessions include resume review, interview prep and training counsel depending onparticipant interest or need. Sessions resulted in the completion of a personalized plan of advancement, orPOA, to help participant set short and long-term training and employment career goals.Training ReferralsForty-eight of the 53 WORKNOW participants (91%) were referred to begin training and local partners.Forty-four of the 48 (92%) referred completed their training within this timeframe.Training Partner Programs:Core Craft Skills Overview Construction Careers Now (CCN):* Twelve individuals completed this 48-hour basic skills bootcamp. Completion by local residents was the highest it has ever been in September, with a steadyincrease of local enrollment since the class relocated to Central 70’s Neighborhood Training Center.The CCN recruiters continued holding office hours at the NTC on Tuesdays and Thursdays. CDOTand CWI will continue coordinating with the CCN recruiters to improve recruitment and retention oflocal residents. Sessions in January, February, and March are already scheduled for 2018. JATC Pre-Apprenticeship:* 104-hour pre-apprenticeship training providing core craft skillsinstruction and trade awareness. This will feed into multiple building trades registered apprenticeshippartners. Despite some coordination delays, this course is still expected to take place in Spring 2018.Basic Industry Skills Colorado Construction Association (CCA):CDL B Training and Test PreparationCDL B training and CDL test preparation assistance continued in this quarter, the next report willinclude further updates. This course is on track to achieve its target goal by Feb. 2018.Heavy Equipment TrainingTen individuals completed Heavy Equipment Training. December’s classes were focused on backhoetraining. While Central 70 did not fund these classes, they were held at the NTC.Page 3