CUMU Conference 2019

In 2018, Temple University instituted the Lenfest North Philadelphia Workforce Initiative which is a collaborative and community-informed effort to develop and implement strategies to help local residents secure gainful employment. Temple LNPWI staff will highlight its data collection and “Table Talk” strategy, as well as other efforts for authentic community engagement. These efforts resulted in participation of over 100 local residents, over 60 leaders representing faith-based institutions, involvement of the offices of 8 elected officials and participation of over 70 service providers and dozens of employers. The LNPWI also effectively engaged numerous university students, staff, faculty, administration and alumni.

Furthermore, the LNPWI embraced and fostered the concept of collaboration, coordination and partnership with other institutions of higher education, workforce development service providers, non-profit organizations and city agencies. This presentation will showcase methodologies that worked, talk about the lessons learned through trials and tribulations, and discuss the associated measurable objectives, which included: enhanced community outreach, increased awareness of programs, leveraged financial and in-kind resources, and new services and partnerships. The LNPWI will share its process for soliciting “concepts” for workforce development programming from both the university and the community-at-large.

The presenters will also explain how various community and university partners contributed to the evaluation design for the LNPWI. The process and outcome indicators -- categorized as youth development, job readiness and workforce development, employment and community/university impact -- for this university-based workforce development strategy will be shared.