The Future of Work Is Entrepreneurship
The trend in hiring has taken a radical shift – moving from traditional employment to contractors.
In fact, one major manufacturing company told me: “Most of our hires over the last few years have been contractors.” Benefits, I asked? “No.”
That’s why, to prepare today’s workforce for tomorrow, we can’t ignore these facts.
In a speech at the California Workforce Association’s annual conference, Orange County’s Director of Workforce Development, Carma Lacy, and I talked to over 100 workforce leaders about how we’ve partnered to prepare youth for the changing workforce.
“Entrepreneurship is the future workforce,” said Lacy. “When Covid hit, we went into high gear, partnering with Youth With Impact to bring training that prepared our citizens for the workplace but with the entrepreneurial skills and mindset they’ll need.”
From Homelessness to Employment
Alyssa, just 21, shared with the audience how she was homeless for over a year. “Then I heard about this program with Orange County. I graduated with a business plan for a concept helping others like me. It was the first time I felt any sense of hope.”
Today, Alyssa, thanks to phase two of Orange County’s program, is employed.
Workforce takeaways – Preparing your youth for success
Among the takeaways from the session are:
· Talent pipelines -- I highlighted a report my organization issued about the impact of Covid on marginalized groups – women especially. Among the findings: pipelines to connect diverse talent with employers are critical for the economic and professional success of women 18-24 – something Girls With Impact and Youth With Impact are doing with many companies.
· Serving “differently challenged” – Questions emerged about serving different audiences including those disabled or with learning challenges. My organization is currently working with The Goodwill and Indigenous groups, “We’ve modified our platform to serve these challenged people. Many of them can go through our program.
· Youth With Impact’s Personalized Pathways – Key to success is offering students different pathways coupled with a coach. Orange County’s program is built on YWI’s business training through entrepreneurship education, followed by ImpactPathways that then moves individuals through one of three tracks based on their interests -- college, career, or new business venture.
· Incentives for business start-up – Orange County’s Carma Lacy said that her organization has taken their program one step further. Partnering with the local SBA and using WIOA funds, they are now offering grants to students who undergo the Youth With Impact program.
“Students will then be able to offer their products through the ShopNow platform,” added Lacy.
To download the presentation, go here. To meet with Youth With Impact to prepare your workforce, schedule a meeting here or email us.