Development of the Southwest Louisiana Workforce Resource Guide
ISSUE
An international integrated energy and chemical company, and a world leader in the commercial production of liquid fuels and chemicals from natural gas, was building a multi billion dollar chemical project in Southwest Louisiana that would create hundreds of new jobs, providing tremendous opportunities for local residents. The company had been a member of the southwest Louisiana community for more than a decade and communicated regularly with local leadership. After the announcement of the company’s major expansion project, ministerial leaders made a special request. Members of their congregations, many of whom were lacking the awareness or education credentials necessary to benefit from the opportunities before them, needed a step-by-step guide on how to get a job in industry.
APPROACH
With support from HDA, the company sponsored and spearheaded the development of a resource guide to serve as a road map for local job seekers to get from point A to point B on their workforce preparation journey. The first step was to gather workforce development group leaders in the area as well as the local state-sponsored business and career solutions center, the one-stop shop for getting a job in Calcasieu Parish, to begin gathering information on what resources were available for job seekers. With a focus on craft and skill positions for industrial manufacturing facilities and related service providers, the resource guide would include a six-step model that helps individuals choose a career, get the training and certifications required, prepare a resume, acquire basic life skills and ultimately, land a job. The guide also seeks to connect job seekers with the right people to help guide them in the right direction. Because community leaders, faith-based and service organization leaders were the trusted mentors for the target population, the company encouraged the mentors to take on the implementation and rollout of the guide. Mentors were trained on how to use the guides efficiently and effectively.
RESULTS
Tremendous positive feedback was received from the community, the service providers named in the book, and other key community members in the parish. While the company acted as sponsor of the document and drove the schedule, this effort was embraced and supported by local government, economic and workforce development groups, industry, academic institutions and the general public. A number of people and groups invested sweat equity in the guide. The initiative was an example of public and private entities coming together to answer a community need. A sustaining success of the effort was the grassroots mentor circuit that was cultivated. Mentors continued to meet on a regular basis to discuss progress of the effort with their individual constituencies and continue to make enhancements to the guide. The guide has been cited as a best practice model by state leaders, national business organizations and federal regulators.