WORKFORCE READINESS – What’s Next??
Last month during the June 25th AHRMA meetings at the Austin Country Club, the newly-created Workforce Readiness (WFR) Committee took “center stage” with the morning panel discussion “Workforce Readiness – Our Future” moderated by VP Workforce Readiness, Kate McLagan, that featured panel members from Workforce Solutions, Capital Area Workforce Board, Texas Business & Education Coalition, Communities in Schools, Austin HR Management Association, and Williamson County Management Association. Following the panel, Susan Dawson, President and Executive Director of E3 Alliance, presented “Losing Ground, Losing Opportunity”: The State of Education in Central Texas, How It Ties to Our Economic Future, and What AHRMA Can Do About It…”. Both presentations provided the attendees with a lot to think about – especially, many alarming statistics and projections. However, the good news is that initiatives are underway to effect change and, further, the exciting news is that each and every one of you, as HR professionals and stakeholders, can make a difference. So what’s next?
The WFR Committee met the week after and identified the following:
Target Audience
- School-age children
- Adults
- AHRMA members in transition
Partnerships with Local Business/Education Organizations
- E3 Alliance (Education Equals Economics)
- Texas Business & Education Coalition (TBEC)
- Communities in Schools (CIS)
Functional Area Focus
- Mentoring
- Presentations
- Speakers’ Bureau
- Presentations to Students
- Presentations to School Admins/Teachers
- Panel Discussions (schools and businesses)
- Career Day / Fair
- Job Shadowing
- Strategic/Leadership/Curriculum Development
- Professional Skill Set Definition
- Career & Tech Education Council
- Policy Advice
“Clearing House” for AHRMA Volunteers for Partner Organization Initiatives
- Maintain list of volunteers based on their competencies and functional interest
- Coordinate/match volunteers with organizations’ needs
Set Goals and Measurements
Other Outreach
- Workforce Solutions and their clients
- Other SHRM chapters
Special kudos to Kate McLagan, VP Workforce Readiness, and her committee members for all of their hard work in coordinating the June 25th events and now identifying initiatives for members of AHRMA to get involved and make a difference in the Austin community.
We now have a focus and a plan. On behalf of your professional association, I extend a “Call to Action” to “get involved.” Let us know the functional areas where you can best apply your expertise. As HR professionals, you are all stakeholders in the future of Texas and you can make a difference. For more particulars and to “sign up,” contact vpworkforcereadiness@austinhumanresource.org or president@austinhumanresource.org. The next meeting of the WFR Committee is Tuesday, August 11th at 4:30 pm in the Arboretum area and you are invited.
Ramona Rohrer
2009 AHRMA President
president@austinhumanresource.org
Filed under: AHRMA Workforce Readiness Committee, From the President's Podium
