[Trustee Flores Town Hall: Re-Engineering Yourself For Today's Jobs]
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THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US FOR TODAY'S TRUSTEE TOWN HALL THAT IS FOCUSED ON REENGINEERING YOURSELF FOR TODAY'S JOBS.
AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE UNDER SEVERAL CHALLENGES BECAUSE OF COVID-19, ONE OF THEM BEING PEOPLE WHO HAVE BECOME UNEMPLOYED, BUT ALSO A CONSTANT THAT WE HAVE ARE THOSE WHO ARE EITHER UNEMPLOYED OR UNDEREMPLOYED.
AND WE OFTEN HEAR THAT BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY CANNOT FIND THE SKILLED WORKERS THAT THEY NEED, BUT WE DON'T HEAR WHAT THOSE SKILLED AREAS ARE.
SO THAT'S ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF TODAY'S TRUSTEE TOWN HALL.
ANOTHER PURPOSE IS TO GIVE YOU A CURRENT PICTURE OF THE ECONOMY, PLUS LEARNING WHAT RESOURCES ARE THERE FOR WORKERS AND FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY FROM THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION.
AND ALSO TO LET YOU KNOW THE CERTIFICATE AND DEGREE PROGRAMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH DALLAS COLLEGE FOR THOSE WHO DO WANT TO UPSCALE OR RESKILLED.
SO, AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU DALLAS COLLEGE EMPLOYEES FOR THE WORK YOU'RE CONTINUING TO DO TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS, OUR COMMUNITIES AND EACH OTHER DURING THESE ECONOMICALLY TRYING TIMES.
AS WE KNOW, THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS HAVE BEEN HARD ON EVERYONE.
AND WE KNOW THERE ARE MANY OF YOU LOOKING FOR WAYS TO RETRAIN FOR NEW JOBS AND CAREERS.
SO WE'RE GLAD YOU JOINED US TODAY AS WE DISCUSS WAYS TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO HELP THE PUBLIC REGAIN THEIR FOOTING IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC AT DALLAS COLLEGE.
WE'RE DOING OUR PART TO ENGAGE WITH LOCAL EMPLOYERS TO UNDERSTAND WHICH SKILLS AND SOFTWARE ARE IN DEMAND AND THEN TO DEVELOP THOSE PROGRAMS THAT OFFER STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESKILL, RETOOL AND UPSCALE ALSO.
NOW, WHILE HEALTH CARE AND I.T.
JOBS CONTINUE TO BE IN HIGH DEMAND, THERE ARE MANY SKILLED POSITIONS SUCH AS ELECTRICIANS, MECHANICS, WELDERS, HVAC TECHS THAT PAY A VERY GOOD WAGE AND ARE PROJECTED TO CONTINUE TO GROW.
IF ANY ONE OF YOU HAS HAD THEIR AIR CONDITIONING BREAK DOWN OR NEEDS TO REWIRE YOUR HOUSE.
WE KNOW HOW WELL THOSE POSITIONS ARE PAID.
SO IN ORDER TO SUPPORT A FAMILY WITH TWO CHILDREN, A SINGLE PARENT NEEDS TO MAKE ALMOST TWENTY NINE DOLLARS AN HOUR TO EARN A LIVING WAGE AND ALTHOUGH THE PANDEMIC HAS CREATED NEW CHALLENGES, IT HAS ALSO CREATED NEW OPPORTUNITIES.
TODAY WE HAVE THREE INDIVIDUALS WITH US WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE ECONOMY AND HOW THEY MAY NEED TO PIVOT IN ORDER TO FIND A NEW CAREER.
MR. AARON DEMERSON CURRENTLY SERVES AS THE COMMISSIONER REPRESENTING EMPLOYEES FOR THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSIONER.
COMMISSION GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT APPOINTED HIM TO THE THREE MEMBER COMMISSION ON AUGUST 20, 2019.
PRIOR TO HIS APPOINTMENT, AARON DEMERSON SERVED AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF EMPLOYER INITIATIVES AT THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION.
AND IN THIS POSITION, HE PROVIDES LEADERSHIP AND DIRECTION TO ENGAGE EMPLOYERS, BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY IN THE ONGOING DEVELOPMENT OF A CUSTOMER FOCUSED, MARKET DRIVEN WORKFORCE SYSTEM.
AND PRIOR TO HIS EMPLOYMENT AT THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION, MR. DEMERSON SERVED AS A SENIOR ADVISER TO GOVERNOR RICK PERRY AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM DIVISION IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, LEADING A TEAM THAT MARKETED THE STATE OF TEXAS AS A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR BOTH BUSINESS AND TRAVEL.
MR. DEMERSON HAS A BACHELOR'S IN FINANCE FROM TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY KINGSVILLE.
HE ALSO RECEIVED A GENERAL BANKING DIPLOMA FROM THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF BANKING AND IS A 91-92 GRADUATE OF LEADERSHIP AUSTIN.
SO, MR. DEMERSON, WELCOME AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
WE ALSO HAVE INVITED AND SHE GRACIOUSLY ACCEPTED OUR INVITATION MS. ALFREDA NORMAN, WHO OVERSEES THE DALLAS FED'S COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC OUTREACH PROGRAMS WHICH SUPPORT HEALTHY ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INCREASED UNDERSTANDING OF THE ECONOMY AND THE FEDERAL RESERVE.
SHE HAS RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS, DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS AND DESIGN, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC EDUCATION AND FINANCIAL INDUSTRY OUTREACH.
THAT'S AS WAS WITH MR. DEMERSON, MISS ALFREDA NORMAN HAS A LARGE SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND EXPERTISE.
BEFORE BECOMING A SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, SHE SERVED AS VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AT THE DALLAS FED, PROMOTING ECONOMIC INCLUSION FOR LOWER
INCOME COMMUNITIES AND >> INDIVIDUALS.
PRIOR TO JOINING THE DALLAS IN 2004 MS. NORMAN WAS HIRED BY BANK OF AMERICA IN TEXAS.
SHE WAS IN CHARGE OF DEVELOPING A STRATEGIC COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO EXTEND CREDIT TO LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME COMMUNITIES.
IN ADDITION TO BANKING, SHE HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THE PUBLIC AND
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PRIVATE SECTORS.SHE HAS HELD MANAGEMENT POSITIONS AT THE CITY OF DALLAS AND CONTAINER STORE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS.
MS. NORMAN PROVIDES BOARD CHAIR FOR COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION OF TEXAS AND SERVES ON THE BOARD OF DALLAS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT FOUNDATION, SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL FOUNDATION AND MEDALS FOUNDATION.
SHE SERVES ON THE EXECUTIVE BOARDÂ AND THE ADVISORY BOARD OF DALLAS PROMISE AND COMMIT PARTNERSHIP.
SHE'S A MEMBER OF THE DALLAS ASSEMBLY.
MS. NORMAN HOLDS A BACHELORS FROM SOUTHERN METHODIST AND A GRADUATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA DR. PIPER WILKINS, VICE CHANCELLOR FOR WORKFORCE AND ADVANCEMENT FOR DALLAS COLLEGE WITH 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, SHE'S SKILLED AT COLLABORATING WITH BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, PUBLIC AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY AND FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO MEET NEEDS OF STUDENTS, EMPLOYERS AND THE COMMUNITY.
DR. WILKINS SERVED AS CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER OFF THE DCCCD FOUNDATION FROM 2015 TO 2020 AND HAS A BACKGROUND IN FUNDRAISING, RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING FACILITIES SORRY.
PLANNING FACILITATION AND BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS.
PRIOR TO HER ROLE IN THE FOUNDATION, DR. WILKINS SPENT EIGHT YEARS IN A VARIETY OF ROLES ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF PLANNING, RESEARCH AND INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVE HAS.
IN THOSE ROLES, SHE SECURED OVER $30Â MILLION IN FUNDING TO SUPPORT SUCCESS, WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, LAUNCH OF NEW PROGRAMS AND FACILITY RENOVATION.
BEFORE JOINING DALLAS COLLEGE, DR. WILKINS SPENT SEVEN YEARS AT COLLIN COLLEGE.
WORKED TO EXPAND THE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AND DESIGNED AND LAUNCHED THE WORKFORCE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
SHE SPENT SEVERAL YEARS TEACHING AT HIGH SCHOOLS, COLLIN COLLEGE AND DALLAS COLLEGE.
WEST TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY, MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN HUMAN RELATIONS AND BUSINESS FROM AMBER TON UNIVERSITY AND DOCTORATE IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT FROM CAP PELLA UNIVERSITY.
WELCOME TO ALL OF OUR PANELISTS.
WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING WITH US AND HELPING OUR PUBLIC LEARN THE SITUATION THAT WE'RE IN, EXPERTISE YOU HAVE AND HOW THEY CAN PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD IF THEY'RE HAVING A CHALLENGE IN EMPLOYMENT.
I'LL PROVIDE INSIGHT ON KEY TOPICS TODAY.
WITH THAT, WE APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENCE AND LOOK FORWARD TO A PRODUCTIVE HOUR WITH ALL OF YOU.
BEFORE WE BEGIN, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MS. NORMAN TO SET THE STAGE.
WE KNOW THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK KEEPS CLOSE TABS ON ECONOMICÂ AND HOW IT ISÂ EXCUSE MEÂ FAIRING DURING COVID.
THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO BE ON THE PANEL TODAY.
IT'S A PLEASURE TO TALK AND HOPEFULLY ANSWER QUESTIONS.
WHAT IS HAPPENING, LET'S START WITH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.
TEXAS UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS FALLING, THANKFULLY WITH AN 8Â PERCENT IN JULY AND 6.8Â PERCENT IN AUGUST.
CURRENT RATE OF 6.8 IS WELL ABOVE THE 3.5Â PERCENT THAT PREVAILED BEFORE COVID.
BUT IT'S CLOSE TO WHEN THINGS WERE GREAT DURING THE GREAT RECESSION WHEN WE WERE AT 8.3Â PERCENT.
BOTTOM LINE, WE PARTIALLY RECOVERED BUT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF TEXANS HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS AND REMAIN UNEMPLOYED TODAY.
WHAT ABOUT THE US ECONOMYÂ MASSIVE DECLINES IN MARCH AND APRIL AND PARTIAL RECOVERY SINCE LIKE TEXAS USÂ MARCH AND APRIL? THOUGH THE US UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS HIGHER THAN THE TEXAS RATE OF 6.8Â PERCENT.
PACE RECOVERY IS EXPECTED TO SLOW.
SIGNALS ARE WE'RE RECOVERING FROM THE PLUNGE THAT OCCURRED DURING MARCH AND APRIL, HOW QUICKLY WE RECOVER IS REALLY DEPENDENT ON COVID.
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AND ITS TRENDS.AND WHETHER PEOPLE STICK TO PRUDENT SCIENTIFIC VETTED BEHAVIOR THAT REALLY HELPS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONTROL THE DISEASE, MASK WEARING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.
WE CAN'T MOVE FORWARD UNTIL WE GET THE DISEASE UNDER FOOT.
>> SO THAT WAS AN IMPORTANT POINT IN TERMS OF HOW QUICKLY WE CAN RECOVER AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
IT DEPENDS HOW QUICKLY WE GET THE DISEASE UNDER CONTROL AND HOPEFULLY TO WHERE IT'S NOT A MAJOR ISSUE FOR US ANYMORE.
AS I STATED, WE WITH THE UNCERTAINTY WE SEE IN TODAY'S ECONOMY, MR. DIMMERSON, WOULD YOU GIVE US IDEAS WHAT TRENDS THE WORKFORCE COMMISSION OBSERVED, HOW ARE TEXANS FAIRING DURING THE PANDEMIC AND A BRIEF UPDATE ON CLAIMS FOR THE STATE.
>> THESE ARE IMPORTANT TOPICS, SO WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS.
I HAVE HAD A LONG WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH DALLAS COLLEGE.
A TEAM THAT HAS BEEN OVER THERE DURING THE WORKDAY IN AND DAY OUT.
PROUD OF THE WORK YOU'RE DOING AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP.
IN TERMS OF WHAT THE WORKFORCE COMMISSION, WE'VE BEEN VERY BUSY.
THAT'S AN UNDERSTATEMENT IN TODAY'S TERMS. WE'VE HAD SINCE MARCHÂ 14TH 5.3Â MILLION CLAIMS THAT HAVE COME IN, IN CLAIMS THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED.
OVER $32Â BILLION THAT HAVE BEEN PAID OUT OVER THE TIME FRAME AND MILLIONS OF PHONE CALL THAT'S HAVE COME IN AND, OF COURSE, NO ONE WAS EXPECTING THAT TYPE OF WORK.
FREDA MENTIONED UNEMPLOYMENT RATES WERE 14Â PERCENT, THEN 8Â PERCENT AND NOWÂ WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT MOVEMENT BUT AGAIN 5.3Â MILLION CLAIMS, 32Â BILLION PAID OUT INCLUDING THAT $600.300 SUPPLEMENT THAT CAME IN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
MILLIONS OF PHONE CALLS RECEIVED.
WE HAVE DONE THE EQUIVALENT OF ABOUT SEVEN YEARSÂ WORTH OF WORK, ACTUALLY, SEVEN MONTHSÂ WORK IN THAT TIME FRAME.
SIX YEARSÂ WORTH OF CLAIMS IN A SEVEN-MONTH TIME FRAME.
NARROW THAT DOWN, A YEARÂS WORK OF WORK IN A ONE-MONTH TIME FRAME.
THAT IS WHAT WE'RE SADDLED WITH.
WHAT WE WOULD DO IN ONE YEAR, WE DID IN ONE MONTH.
WHAT WE PUT IN PLACE TO COUNTER THAT, INCREASED HOURS FROM 7:00Â A.M.
SEVEN DAYS A WEEK IN THAT REGARD, FOUR CALL CENTERS TO EIGHT CALL CENTERS, BROUGHT UP ADDITION OF STAFF AS WELL AS CREATED A CHAT BOX THROUGH AUTOMATION.
THE GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE NO TEXAN WAS LEFT BEHIND OR WILL BE LEFT BEHIND.
THAT IS THE WORD THAT HAS BEEN USED BUT WE'VE DONE WHAT WE CAN TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS.
THAT IS WHERE WE STAND NOW IN TERMS OF UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS FOR THE STATE AND WHAT WE HAVE SEEN HAPPEN INNING OUR STATE.
>> MR. DIMMERSON, THAT IS AS ASTOUNDING AMOUNT OF WORK.
SOUNDS LIKE THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION REALLY ROSE TO THE CHALLENGE.
I'M SURE THERE WERE WORKERS THAT DIDN'T GET WHAT THEY NEEDED BECAUSE IT WAS A HUGE AMOUNT THAT CAME AT YOU.
IT ALSO SOUNDS LIKE Y'ALL WERE ABLE TO GEAR UP QUICK AND MEET THE MOMENT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THAT.
>> SO DR. WILKINS, NOW TODAY'S STUDENTS ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO ENHANCE THEIR EARNING POTENTIAL AND IN TODAY'S WORLD THEY'RE EXPLORING ALL THEIR OPTIONS.
THANK YOU, TRUSTEE FLORES, AND THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
(INDISCERNIBLE) THEY HAVE (INDISCERNIBLE) HOW THEY WANT TO LIVE, WANT A GOOD PAYCHECK, WANT OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE IN THEIR CAREERS AND WE KNOW MANY TIMES IT'S A CERTIFICATE OR DEGREE THAT MOVES A STUDENT HAS MASTERED THE SKILLS THEY NEED FOR SPECIFIC JOB AND SPECIFIC INDUSTRIES.
NOW AS YOU SAID MORE THAN EVER OPPORTUNITIES AND PEOPLE EVERYWHERE ARE EXPLORING ALL OPTIONS AND MANY OF THEM JUST NEED TO GET TO WORK AND EARN A
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PAYCHECK SOMEHOW SOME WAY TO SURVIVE AND DON'T HAVE A FEW MONTHS OR YEARS IT MIGHT TAKE TO GET A DEGREE.YOU KNOW, WE DO A LOT AT DALLAS COLLEGE TO SUPPORT THAT.
WE'VE EXPANDED THE EFFORTS AS WE TRY TO HELP PEOPLE IN THE PANDEMIC.
WE WORK AND CONTINUE WORK THROUGH THE LABOR MARKET INTELLIGENCE CENTER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE JOB SITUATION LOOKS LIKE NOW, WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE TOMORROW, NEXT MONTH AND INTO NEXT YEAR.
YOU KNOW THAT THAT CRYSTAL BALL OF A JOB MARKET IS A REALLY CLOUDY RIGHT NOW DUE TO THE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC.
IT'S ALSO THOUGH AN INTERESTING CHANGE IN THE WORKPLACE RIGHT NOW.
EMPLOYERS ARE GETTING, YOU KNOW, REALLY GRANULAR, REALLY SPECIFIC ABOUT THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO SEE IN THE PEOPLE THEY HIRE.
THERE ARE TECHNICAL SKILLS THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIES.
SOME OF THOSE SKILLS ARE LEARNED IN OUR DEGREE PROGRAMS. SOME ARE LEARNED IN JUST A COURSE OR TWO.
SOMETIMES A STUDENT TAKES AN EXAM OR RECEIVES A LICENSE OR CREDENTIAL THAT SAYS TO OUR EMPLOYERS I HAVE THIS SPECIFIC SKILL OR SET OF SKILLS AND I CAN DO THE JOB.
THAT IS ONE WAY WE'RE WORKING NOW WITH EMPLOYERS AND IN OUR COURSES AND PROGRAMS TO REALLY EMBED CERTAIN CREDENTIALS AND CERTAIN CERTIFICATIONS THAT LET TO GOOD JOBS FOR STUDENTS.
WE'RE EMBEDDING THOSE IN OUR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND CREATING SHORT TERM NONCREDIT PROGRAMS ONLINE TRAINING MODULES, A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS THAT GIVE STUDENTS THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD UP EMPLOY ABILITY ALONG THE WAY TO A DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE.
WE ALSO HAVE A SITUATION WHERE STUDENTS MAY START IN A PROGRAM, THEY NEED TO STOP OUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO GET A JOB, AND WHEN WE HAVE THOSE BUILT IN SKILLS, THEY CAN STOP OUT AND GET A JOB AND MAKE A LIVING WAGE AND THEN COME BACK AND FINISH THE DEGREE OR CREDENTIAL WHEN THEY CAN.
BEYOND THAT, WE'RE WORKING WITH EMPLOYERS TO UNDERSTAND AT THAT BASIC LEVEL WHAT THE SKILLS ARE THEY WANT EMPLOYEES TO HAVE.
AND THEN WE WORK INTERNALLY TO HELP STUDENTS UNDERSTAND THE SKILLS THEY LEARN.
A LOT OF TIMES WE HAVE STUDENTS THAT COME INTO PROGRAMS AND COMPLETE PROGRAMS AND COMPLETE DEGREES, BUT THEY CAN'T VERBALIZE TO AN EMPLOYER WHAT THEY KNOW AND LEARNED AND THE SKILL THAT'S THEY HAVE THAT WILL BE IMPORTANT.
WE HAVE WONDERFUL CORPORATE PARTNERS INVOLVED IN THE WORK AND MANY PARTNERS DO NOT CONSIDER A FULL DEGREE NECESSARY FOR THE PEOPLE THEY HIRE.
CREDENTIALS AND SKILLS ARE PLAYING A BIGGER ROLE NOW MORE THAN EVER.
AND WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT DALLAS COLLEGE IS WORKING WITH EMPLOYERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY WANT AND THEN TO ACTUALLY PROVIDE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS.
>> SO THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU SHARED THAT MIGHT NOT BE OUT THERE LARGELY IN THE PUBLIC.
AFTER THIS SESSION IS OVER, THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE SIGNED ON OR REGISTERED WILL GET AN E MAIL ADDRESS TO SEND YOUR INQUIRIES.
ESPECIALLY IF YOU WOULD LIKE A ONE ON ONE ASSISTANCE IN IDENTIFYING YOUR SKILLS, HOW YOU WOULD MARKET THEM TO AN EMPLOYER, WITH HE CAN HAVE SOMEONE WORK WITH YOU.
ONCE THE SESSION ENDS, EVERYONE THAT REGISTERED WILL GET AN E MAIL ADDRESS SO THAT THEN YOU CAN MAKE THAT SPECIFIC CONTACT WITH US.
GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED ON ANYTHING YOU HEARD HERE TODAY FROM DALLAS COLLEGE.
WITH THAT, MS. NORMAN, I'D LIKE TO TURN BACK TO YOU AND TALK ABOUT JOBS OUTLOOK, ESPECIALLY FOR ESSENTIAL WORKS AND HIGH TOUCH INDUSTRIES.
HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC IMPACTS LOW- OR MODERATE-INCOME EARNERS?
>> TEXAS GAINED 106,000 JOBS IN AUGUST.
THISÂ ROUGHLY IN LINE WITH THE PACE OF JOB GROWTH OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS.
WHO IS HIRING? THREE/FIFTHS OF THE JOB CAME FROM SECTORS CONTAINING RETAILORS, PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS SERVICES.
THIS CONTINUES A TREND OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, CONTACT INTENSIVE JOBS LOST IN DROVES ARE RETURNING AT A RAPID PACE WHILE THE REST OF THE ECONOMY GROWS SLOWLY.
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LOTS HIRING TO BE DONE BEFORE WE GET BACK TO COVIDÂ IT'S OVERALL HEAD COUNT IS DOWN 18Â PERCENT FROM A YEAR AGO.IT'S HARD TO SEE THAT SECTOR IS GOING TO MAKE A FULL RECOVERY UNTIL WE GET COVID UNDER CONTROL.
AFTER WE DO GET IT UNDER CONTROL, PEOPLE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, RUSH BACK TO CROWDED RESTAURANTS AND BARS OR CRUISE SHIPS, EVEN WITH VACCINES THERE MAY BE A SLOW TAKE UP AS PEOPLE ARE LEERY TO START, SO WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS PANDEMIC CLEARLY THROUGH 2021.
YOU KNOW, COVID REALLY ESPECIALLY HIT LOW TO MODERATE INCOME EARNERS HARD.
OFTENTIMES, THEY WERE THE LAST HIRED AND FIRST FIRED DURING COVID.
MANY OF THE LOW WAGE LOWER WAGE JOBS ARE THOSE ESSENTIAL WORKERS.
WE DISCOVERED, THOUGH, IRONICALLY THAT ESSENTIAL WORKERS ARE PRETTY ESSENTIAL TO OUR LIFESTYLES AND THAT WE HAVE A NEW APPRECIATION FOR THE WORK THEY DO.
TRAGICALLY IN COUNTIES WHERE THE POPULATION IS SUBSTANTIALLY NONWHITE WITH A MEDIAN INCOME AS $60,000, THE COVID 19 DEATH RATE WAS MORE THAN NINE TIMES HIGHER WHEN COMPARED TO COUNTIES THAT ARE SUBSTANTIALLY WHITE WITH THE SAME MEDIUM INCOME.
THE INFECTION RATE WAS EIGHT TIMES HIGHER.
THIS WAS DEVASTATING FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR IN LOW TO MODERATE INCOME COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS.
>> IT HIGHLIGHTS INEQUITIES THAT HAVE EXISTED FOR YEARS.
THERE IS A CHALLENGE TO DIMINISH THE INEQUITIES AND EDUCATION IS ONE WAY WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET A LEG UP IN TERMS OF THE INCOME THEY EARN AND HOW THEY'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR FAMILIES AND HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND A LOT OF RIPPLE EFFECTS THAT CAN HAPPEN.
WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE THAT HAS THE ABILITY OR OPPORTUNITY TO COME UP SKILL OR RESKILL WITH US TO DO SO.
AND WE'RE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE ONE ON ONE INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE.
REACH OUT, THAT'S ALL YOU NEED TO DO.
WITH THAT, MR. DIMMERSON, I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE FOR A MOMENT AND TALK ABOUT THE SKILLS YOUR EMPLOYERS ARE TELLING YOU THAT WILL BE VITAL IN THE POST COVID WORLD ONCE WE GET PAST THIS.
I KNOW THAT THE WORKFORCE COMMISSION HAS A ROBUST JOB MATCHING SITE.
WHAT ARE THE MOST NEEDED SKILL SETS YOU'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW?
>> ONE THING I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT, COMMUNICATION.
WHEN WE CAN FIND OUT WHAT EMPLOYERSÂ WE KNOW WHAT OUR EMPLOYERS ARE NEEDING, HAVING THAT COMMUNICATION ALLOWS FOLKS LIKE DALLAS COLLEGE TO TRAIN, CUSTOMIZE TO IMMEDIATE THE NEED.
THAT WAY WE BRING NUMBERS DOWN WHEN WE HAVE X AMOUNT OF JOBS AVAILABLE, OUR GOAL IS TO GET FOLKS INTO THE JOBS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE NUMBERS GOING DOWN BUT ONLY THROUGH THE TRAINING.
SKILL SET THAT'S ARE NECESSARY ARE GOING TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE AREAS THAT ARE HIRING.
WE SEE IN HEALTHCARE FIELDS, RNS, NURSES, THOSE ARE HIGH DEMAND JOBS OUT THERE.
RETAIL, YOU KNOW, WE TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT IS HAPPENING ON RETAIL ALTHOUGH THAT IS HAPPENED, WE SEE A NUMBER OF POSITIONS IN THOSE AREAS AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ECON MA MISTS LOOKING AT WHAT IS BEHIND THE TRENDS, THOSE NUMBERS AS WELL.
MANUFACTURING, CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS, THOSE ARE POSITIONS OUT THERE.
WE NEED TO MATCH THAT WITH A SKILL SET ON THE TECHNICAL SIDE THAT IS ONE WAY, BUT MARKETABLE SKILLS KEEPS COMING BACK TO THAT NEED OF EMPLOYERS.
WE CALL IT MARKETABLE SKILLS, SOFT SKILLS.
ONCE YOU GET INTO THOSE POSITIONS, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THOSE SKILL SETS TO KEEP THAT JOB AND GROW IN THOSE PARTICULAR AREAS.
HVAC, WELDING, ALL OF THOSE ARE AVAILABLE AS WELL AND THE SKILL SET YOU NEED TO GO INTO THOSE JOBS TIE INTO WHATEVER THE EMPLOYER IS REQUESTING.
THAT ALLOWS THE TRAINING TO CONTAIN PLACE AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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LEVEL AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL TO MEET NEEDS OF THE EMPLOYERS.SO, WHAT WE'RE SEEING, MARKETABLE SKILLS ARE HIGH.
DEMAND OCCUPATIONS ARE IN HEALTHCARE SPACE, RNS AND THE LIKE.
AND THOSE OTHER POSITIONS CONTINUE TO BE ABOUT.
THE IMPACT, YOU FIND OUT THAT (INDISCERNIBLE) THERE WASN'T AS HEAVY OF A HIT IN SOME REGARDS.
THE HIGHEST HIT AREAS WERE THE HOTEL LODGE AND LEISURE.
THE RESTAURANTS ALONG THOSE LINES.
THOSE INDIVIDUALS IF THOSE JOBS ARE NOT COMING BACK, THEY NEED TO HAVE THE RIGHT SKILLS TO TAKE CARE OF THE JOBS.
WE ARE DOING OUR PART WITH LOCAL WORKFORCE OFFICES TO MAKE SUREÂ WE HAVE A PROGRAM CALLED METRICS, 5,000 FREE ONLINE COURSES ARE BEING OFFERED TO INDIVIDUAL WHO'S ARE DISPLACED TO GO ONLINE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE COURSES TO START TRAINING YOURSELF TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE JOBS THAT ARE THERE IN CASE POST COVID SOME OF THOSE JOBS DON'T COME BACK OR WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY AS THOSE JOBS.
YOU DON'T WANT TO FIND YOURSELF IN A SITUATION WHERE BEING UNEMPLOYED IS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY DALLAS COLLEGE, OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY THE WORKFORCE SOLUTION OFFICES STATEWIDE AS WELL AND DALLAS HAS THE GREATER DALLAS WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS OFFICE AND JUDY MCDONALD AND DAVID HAVE WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS OFFICE THAT'S WILL MEET THE NEED OF THE FOLKS LOOKING TO BE EMPLOYED.
YOU GAVE A LOT OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
I'M INTERESTED AND I'M SURE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WOULD BE ON THE METRICS PROGRAM THAT YOU REFERENCED.
SO IF YOU COULD SEND US THE LINK TO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE IT TO THOSE WHO REGISTERED TODAY.
IN CASE ANY OF THEM WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT FREE, THOSE FREE COURSES THAT ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION.
YOU GO TO WORK IN TEXT TECH.COM AND GET THAT INFORMATION AS WELL BUT I'LL PROVIDE THE INFORMATION TO YOU.
WORK IN TEXAS.COM, YOU GO THERE AND HAVE ACCESS TO ALL THOSE COURSES.
MS. NORMAN, WHAT IS DATA TELLING YOU IN TERMS OF WHAT JOBS MAY GO AWAY DUE TO THE ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY AND GIVE THOUGHTS HOW PEOPLE CAN POSITION THEMSELVES TO BE RECESSION PROOF DURING THE PANDEMIC.
>> LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY ARE JUST HAVE BEEN VERY HARD HIT.
WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU WENT TO A HOTEL RECENTLY OR WE'RE NOT EVEN FLYING LIKE WE USED TO? WE READ THE NEWS ABOUT DISNEY, WHICH IS ONE OF THE LARGEST, YOU KNOW, PLACE THAT PEOPLE CAN EXPERIENCE, YOU KNOW, HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME, THEY ARE HITTING HARD TIMES.
MY GUESS IS A LOT OF JOBS IN THAT SECTOR ARE NOT COMING BACK.
BUT BEFORE COVID AND NOW GOING FORWARD, WHOLE INDUSTRIES HAVE BEEN TRANSFORMED BY TECHNOLOGY ENABLED INNOVATION AI, GLOBALIZATION.
WE KNOW LABOR MARKETS ARE EVOLVING AS A RESULT.
WE HAVE BEEN CONSCIOUS OF THEÂ WORKERS TO FACE THE REALITY THAT THEY MUST GET MORE EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING TO DEVELOP THE NEW SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE FOR THE JOBS OF THE 21ST CENTURY.
MORE THAN SIX 5Â PERCENT OF US JOBS REQUIRE EDUCATION AND TRAINING BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL.
WE HAVEN'T DONE A GOOD JOB OF DOING THAT IN THIS COUNTRY AS PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, THEY HAVE TO FIND NEW WAYS AND SKILLS FOR OTHER JOBS.
ELECTRICIAN, DENTAL HYGIENIST, PARALEGAL, CARPENTER, PLUMBERS, HEALTHCARE WORKERS, TRUCK DRIVERS.
THOSE ARE MIDDLE SKILL JOB, GOOD JOBS AND REQUIRE EDUCATION AND TRAINING BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL BUT NOT A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE.
MIDDLE SCHOOL JOBS MAKE UP THE LARGEST PART OF THE LABOR MARKET IN THE US AND EACH OF THE 50 STATES.
THERE ARE NON-SKILL BARRIERS TO GET IN THE WAY THAT WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION.
CHILDCARE, HOUSING, HEALTH SERVICES AS WELL AS DRUG ADDICTION, AND THOSE THAT ARE FORMERLY INCARCERATED HAVE ANOTHER HOST OF ISSUES.
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THERE ARE MANY THINGS TO TEND TO HELP PEOPLE UP SKILL AND GO TO AND THROUGH COLLEGE.THE MORE YOU LEARN, THE MORE YOU EARN.
EDUCATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE BETTER FINANCIAL OUTCOMES, BUT THE OVERWHELMING DATA SHOWS THAT YOU WILL FARE BETTER.
ADDITIONALLY EDUCATION IS GENERALLY GOOD INSURANCE AGAINST UNEMPLOYMENT.
AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC, WE KNOW THOSE IN-SERVICE JOBS NEED TO RESKILL.
AS WE SAID BEFORE, MARKETABLE SKILL SETS ARE ESSENTIAL.
FOR AVAILABLE JOBS, YOU NEED CREDENTIAL TO QUALIFY.
YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHAT THE CREDENTIALS ARE AND SEE IF YOU CAN STACK SOME OF THOSE CREDENTIALS.
GOING BACK OR FINISHING SCHOOL IS AS I MENTIONED REALLY CRITICAL TO HAVE THE SKILL SETS YOU NEED FOR JOBS NOT EVEN INVENTED YET.
APPROPRIATE LEVELS OF STUDENT DEBT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO DETERMINE.
YOU HAVE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH, OFTENTIMES, STUDENTS DON'T BORROW ENOUGH TO FINISH, AND FINISHING IS THE THING THAT YOU HAVE TO DO.
AND SADLY, MANY PEOPLE THAT START ARE NOT ABLE TO FINISH AND THAT CAUSES THE PROBLEM AND THE DEBT CIRCLE IF YOU HAVE, YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO FINISH AND YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO PAY OFF YOUR DEBT.
DALLAS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ENROLL IN COLLEGE DON'T OFTEN EARN A CREDENTIAL OR DEGREE.
FINISHING IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT.
AND I LIKE WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE MORE YOU LEARN THE MORE YOU EARN.
DALLAS COLLEGE HAS GOTTEN MORE INTENTIONAL IN TERMS OF WORKING WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH OUR EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOLS, P TECH HIGH SCHOOLS ETÂ CETERA WHICH ALLOW STUDENTS TO EARN EITHER COLLEGE CREDITS OR THE WHOLE DEGREE WHILE STILL TRYING TO GET, STUDYING TO GET THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.
THAT'S A HUGE BENEFIT EXAMINE THEY'RE ABLE TO DO THIS WITHOUT IT COSTING THE FAMILY A DIME IN TUITION OR BOOKS.
THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES UP OUT THERE.
THERE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT INFORMATION.
THAT IS WHY WE DO TRUSTEE TOWN HALLS.
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES TO COME BACK AND LEARN SO THEY CAN EARN MORE.
STILL STAYING WITH YOU, MS. NORMAN, WE KNOW TEXANS ARE GENEROUS GROUPS OF PEOPLE AND WANT TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER.
NOW WEARING YOUR HAT AS CHAIR OF THE COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION OF TEXT IT CANS, HOW ARE YOU SEEING THE NORTH TEXAS COMMUNITY HELPING PEOPLE THROUGH THE UNSETTLING TIME.
>> IN RESPONSE TO OVERWHELMING REQUEST FOR FUNDING SURROUNDING COVID 19, A GROUP OF FOUNDATIONS AND UNITED WAYS, PRIVATE FAMILY FOUNDATIONS AND CORPORATE FUNDERS LAUNCHED WHAT WAS CALLED NORTH TEXAS CARES.
IT'S A FUNDERS COLLABORATIVE TO FUND NONPROFITS PROVIDING CRITICAL SERVICES.
NORTH TEXAS CARES IS LED BY THE COMMUNITY'SÂ THERE ARE 31 FUNDERS IN THIS.
IN THIS COLLABORATION THAT FUND OVER 16 COUNTIES INCLUDING DALLAS COLLIN, TARRANT, DENTON, QUICK, ELLISÂ PLAY SUCH AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY, THEY HAD TREMENDOUS UPHILL BATTLE.
REDUCTION IN FUNDRAISING AND DONATIONS.
HUGE INCREASES IN CLIENTS WHO NEVER USED THEIR SERVICES IN THE PAST.
PARTICULARLY FOR FOOD AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND UTILITY PAYMENT AND HOUSING AND RENTAL SUPPORT.
COMMUNITIES HAD HEIGHTENED LEVELS OF FEAR AND DISTRESSÂ COMMUNITY HELP WERE VERY MUCH ISOLATED IN THEIR HOMES.
AND NONPROFITS DID NOT HAVE THE TECHNICAL ABILITY TO MAKE THE PIVOT TO GO VIRTUAL AT FIRST AND THAT'S EXPENSIVE.
COMMUNITIES ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN CALLS RELATED TO DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE.
AS WELL AS A LACK OF SAFE HOUSING OPTIONS.
THIS FUND IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT STARTING IN MARCH AND GOING TO ABOUT JUNE WHERE THEY GAVE OVER 110,335 GRANTS FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $34.5Â MILLION.
SINCE JUNE A SUBSET HAS COME UP WITH NORTH TEXAS CARES .
20 AND THEY'RE LOOKING AT GRANT APPLICATIONS TO HELP WITH EDUCATIONAL NEED,
[00:35:06]
SUPPORTS AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR LEARNERS OF ALL AGES ENSURING HEALTHCARE AND SUPPORT OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, CLOSING THE GAP ON HEALTH DISPARITIES, SUPPORT FOR PHYSICAL SAFETY INCLUDING CHILD ABUSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CIVIL RIGHTS ABUSE.THEY WANT TOÂ PARTICULARLY THOSE THATÂ FINALLY HELPING WITH COALITION BUILDING AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING PROGRAMS INCLUDING ORGANIZING AROUND CIVIL RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
ON SEPTEMBERÂ 17TH THERE WAS A THING CALLING NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY.
IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT IT, IT WAS AMAZING.
106,000 PEOPLE DONATED AND RAISED IN THAT TIME PERIOD $58.8Â MILLION TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO 3,200 NONPROFITS.
I WOULD SAY THE GENEROSITY IN THE NORTH TEXAS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN HUGE.
IT HAS BEEN HUGE AND IT'S REALLY HEARTWARMING TO SEE HOW MUCH THE ORGANIZATIONS AND PEOPLE IN A POSITION TO HELP COVER SOME OF THE GAPS THAT PEOPLE ARE FACING RIGHT NOW IS REALLY INSPIRING AND ENCOURAGING THAT WE'RE GOING TO POWER THROUGH THIS TOGETHER.
I KNOW THAT EACH OF THE COLLEGES, WE HAVE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK, AND THEY ROTATE THROUGH OFFERING FOOD TO THOSE WHO COME TO THE CAMPUSES ON THE PARTICULAR DAY THAT THE NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK IS THERE.
DR. WILKINS, MOVING TO YOU, IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, DALLAS COLLEGE SEES THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS CONTINUE TO INCREASE.
THEY NEED HELP CHOOSING THE CAREER PATH AND SCHEDULES, BUT MANY STUDENTS FACE BARRIER THAT'S DELAY SCHOOL OR DROP OUT ALTOGETHER.
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT BARRIERS AND WHAT DALLAS COLLEGE IS DOING TO MITIGATE THEM?
ALFREDA MENTIONED SEVERAL BARRIERS.
PRIOR TO COVID AND MANY YEARS AGO GOING BACK FIVE OR 10 YEARS, MAYBE WE KNEW STUDENTS HAD BARRIERS AND WE JUST, WE KNEW THEY WERE THERE BUT WE DIDN'T REALLY DIG INTO THAT UNTIL, MAYBE FIVE YEARS AGO, AND WE STARTED LOOKING AT THE EASTERN REASONS THAT STUDENTS WERE STRUGGLING TO STAY ENROLLED AS WE FOCUSED ON RETENTION AND KEEPING OUR STUDENTS, YOU KNOW, DIGGING INTO WHAT IS GOING ON IN THEIR LIVE THAT'S MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEM TO FOCUS ON EDUCATION, IMPOSSIBLE TO STAY ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAMS THEY STARTED IN AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO REALLY MITIGATE THAT.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP? THIS HAS BEEN AN AWAKENING IN WHICH COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY AS WE ALL LOOK AT THAT.
WE KNOW IT'S OUR ROLE TO HELP STUDENTS UNDERSTAND THE JOB MARKET LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER AND SELECT CAREER PATHWAYS AND GUIDE THEM THROUGH THE PROGRAMS, BUT AS WE BEGAN TO INCIDENT IN, WE BEGAN TO UNDERSTAND IT'S MORE THAN THAT FOR US.
WE REALLY HAVE A BIGGER ROLE AS WELL AND WE BEGAN TO UNDERSTAND THOSE REASONS THAT STUDENTS STOPPED OUT OF THE PROGRAM OR DROPPED OUT OR WERE NOT ENROLLING IN THE FIRST PLACE.
IT'S STUDENTS THAT HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION.
THEY STRUGGLE TO FEED THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THEY CAN'T PAY UTILITIES BILLS, RENTS, THEY HAVE NO OPTIONS FOR CHILDCARE, THEY DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO LIVE, AND THEY GO FROM FRIENDS HOUSE TO FRIENDS HOUSE AND SLEEP ON A COUCH.
THEY DROP OUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE PHYSICAL HEALTH OR MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, AND THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE A CLUE TO GET HELP.
STAYING ENROLLED AND EARNING A CERTIFICATE OR DEGREE AND LEARNING THE SKILLS ALONG THE WAY WILL HELP PEOPLE GET THE JOBS AND ALL THAT RESULTS IN GREATER ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS.
WE ALSO BEGAN TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF WE WERE GOING TO GET THEM THERE, WE HAD TO HELP KEEP THEM ENROLLED AND ADDRESS BASIC NEEDS ALONG THE WAY.
AS DALLAS COLLEGE WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE OR OWN THE OR HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO MANY OF THE BASIC RESOURCES THAT STUDENT NEED.
WE FIGURED OUT ALONG THE WAY WE DIDN'T HAVE TO OWN THEM OR HAVE DIRECT ACCESS.
FIND PARTNERS TO HELP US AND BE ABLE TO CONNECT OUR STUDENTS TO RESOURCES WHEN THEY NEED THEM AND ALL THAT HAS JUST GROWN EXPONENTIALLY DURING THE PAST FEW MONTHS
[00:40:07]
BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.NEEDS ARE TREMENDOUS AND WE HAVE SO MANY STUDENTS AND FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE ECONOMICALLY RIGHT NOW.
IN SOME CASES, COLLEGE HAS BECOME SOMETHING THAT IS EVEN FURTHER OUT, IT'S A DREAM.
IT'S A MIRACLE FOR SOME THAT THEY CAN THINK ABOUT ATTENDING.
BUT WE STARTED SEVERAL YEARS AGO ADDRESSING BASIC NEEDS AND WE STARTED WITH TRANSPORTATION.
WE PARTNERED WITH DART, BEGAN PROVIDED DART PASSES SO STUDENTS COULD GET TO COLLEGE.
WE WILL STUDENTS STRUGGLING WITH FOOD.
THE ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD, ENOUGH FOOD.
WE PARTICIPATED IN A SURVEY THAT SHOWED US 44Â PERCENT OF STUDENTS MANY YEARS AGO, 2014, I BELIEVE, OR 16, WERE STRUGGLING IN THAT MANY STUDENTS WERE WHAT WAS CONSIDERED FOOD INSECURE.
WE LOOKED FOR WAYS TO HELP STUDENTS.
WE PARTNERED WITH THE NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK AND TRUSTEE FLORES YOU MENTIONED THIS, THEY HELPED US GET OUR HEADS AROUND HOW TO CREATE FOOD PANTRIES.
WE SPONSORED A MOBILE FOOD TRUCK THAT WENT TO THE COMMUNITY AND CAMPUSES TO GET FRESH PRODUCE OUT THERE TO SUPPLEMENT FOOD WE HAD IN THE PANTRIES.
WHEN WE CLOSED CAMPUS LAST SPRING, WE DID SOMETHING QUICKLY WITH THE FOOD THAT WAS IN OUR FOOD PANTRY.
WE DONATED THAT BACK TO THE FOOD BANK AND ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP THE COMMUNITY WHO NEEDED IT.
NOW WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK.
THEY COME TO CAMPUS PARKING LOTS.
THEY DISTRIBUTE FOOD TO STUDENTS AND ANYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY WHO NEEDS FOOD.
YOU SEE THIS ON THE NEWS ALMOST EVERY TIME THERE ARE LONG LINES OF CARS AND PEOPLE WAITING FOR THAT FOOD.
WE ALSO STARTED RAISING MONEY A FEW YEARS AGO IN THE DALLAS COLLEGE FOUNDATION TO HELP COMMUNITIES WITH EMERGENCY NEEDS.
WE KNOW WE CAN ADDRESS EVERY NEED BUT SOMETIMES IT'S A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT CAN HELP A STUDENT INVOLVE A PROBLEM AND HELP THEM STAY ENROLLED.
THE EMERGENCY AID FUND AND FOUNDATION WAS LAUNCHED LAST FALL AFTER THE TORNADOES CREATED SUCH CHALLENGES, BUT WE HAD NO IDEA HOW IMPORTANT IT WOULD BECOME A FEW MONTHS LATER WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT.
WE'RE DISTRIBUTING EMERGENCY AID FROM THE CARES ACT FUND ALONG WITH OUR PRIVATE FUNDS AND THE FOUNDATION AND TRYING TO HELP AS MANY STUDENTS AS POSSIBLE WITH RENT AND BILLS AND EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY NEEDS, FOR EXAMPLE.
JUST YESTERDAY YOU KNOW IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE NEED BUT JUST YESTERDAY WE DISTRIBUTED OVER A MILLION DOLLARS IN CARES ACT TO EMERGENCY AID FUNDS TO STUDENTS WITH EMERGENCY NEEDS AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE FUNDS THROUGH MARCH OF NEXT YEAR.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT NOT EVERYBODY IS ELIGIBLE FOR THOSE.
THOSE ARE FEDERAL FUNDS AND THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS.
ALFREDA MENTIONED THE NORTH TEXAS CARES FUND AND DALLAS COLLEGE FOUNDATION WAS A RECIPIENT OF THAT SUPPORT TO FUND EMERGENCY AHEAD AIDE FOUR STUDENTS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CARES.
WE APPRECIATE THAT AND HAVE STUDENTS THAT HAVE BENEFITED FROM THAT HELP AS WELL.
WE ALSO CONNECTED WITH HEALTHCARE AND MENTAL HEALTH PARTNERS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT CAN HELP REFER STUDENTS TO.
WE ARE WORKING TO ADDRESS CHILDCARE AND HOUSING.
BUT THAT IS, YOU KNOW, THAT'S A LONGER-TERM PROJECT FOR US REALLY BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST AN EMERGENCY THING.
IT'S A LONG TERM NEED FOR STUDENTS.
WORKING WITH MULTIPLE PARTNERS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO ADDRESS THAT.
WE HAVE DONE A LOT TO ADDRESS THE BARRIERS AND WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
AND HELP STUDENTS IN ANY WAY WE CAN TO KEEP THEM ENROLLED.
>> SO YOU PROVIDED A COMPREHENSIVE HOLIES TICK WAY IN WHICH WE'RE ADDRESSING STUDENT CHALLENGES.
WE KNOW STUDENTS THAT COME TO COLLEGES COME WITH LIFE CHALLENGES, MOST OF THEM CANNOT BE FULL TIME, MOST ARE PART TIME BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
I KNOW THE BOARD CARES DEEPLY ABOUT THIS.
TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS ARE TAKEN CARE OF, NOT EDUCATIONALLY BUT TO HELP THEM AS YOU WERE SAYING WITH THESE OTHER AREAS AND HAVE SOME EMERGENCY FUNDS FOR THOSE EMERGENCIES THAT ARE SMALL BUT TO THE STUDENT COULDÂ US HAVING TO MOVE A HUNDRED PERSON LINE AND NOW WE KNOW THAT WE CAN DO THIS SUCCESSFULLY SO STUDENT THAT'S DO HAVE TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS OR CHILDCARE ISSUES OR WHATEVER
[00:45:04]
THE ISSUE MAY BE, THEY CANNOT COME TO THE CAMPUS CAN NOW TAKE THE COURSES ONLINE WITH US AND CONTINUE TO CHIP AWAY A COURSE AT A TIME AS I DID WHEN I GOT MY DEGREE AS AN ADULT WITH FIVE CHILDREN WORKING FULL TIME.I TOOK ONE COURSE AT A TIME UNTIL THE CREDITS BUILT UP AND I COULD GET MY DEGREE.
THERE YOU CAN FAKE YOUR CHALLENGES.
THERE ARE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU DO THAT.
MR. DIMMERSON, GETTING BACK TO THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION, CAN YOU SHARE WITH US ABOUT THE FUNDING THAT IS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT FUND PROGRAM AND HOW EMPLOYERS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PROGRAM.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, THANKS FOR THAT QUESTION.
THAT'S A CUSTOMIZED TRAINING PROGRAM WE HAVE AT THE STATE LEVEL.
DALLAS COLLEGE, YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
YOU'RE THE ENVY OF A LOT OF OTHERS BECAUSE OF THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT YOU DO WITH THAT PROGRAM.
BUT THIS IS ONE THAT ALLOWS FOR AN EMPLOYER TO RECEIVE TRAINING FROM THE COLLEGE ACTUALLY FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
IT'S BASED ON WHAT THE EMPLOYER NEEDS.
THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME.
LEGISLATIVELY APPROPRIATED CLOSE TO ABOUT $50Â MILLION, 25 PER YEAR THAT IS BASICALLY ALLOWING FOR FOLKS TO BE TRAINED IN THAT TRAINING TAKES PLACE ONLY THROUGH THE COLLEGES ANDÂ NOW LOCAL WORKFORCE SOLUTION BOARDS THAT WILL BE ADDED AS WELL.
UP TO ABOUT $1,800 PER EMPLOYEE FOR THAT ASPECT.
YOU HAVE DONE UP TO $2Â MILLION ALREADY LAST YEAR AND ABOUT 3Â MILLION SO FAR THIS YEAR.
BUT IN ADDITION ON TO THAT SKILLS ADOPT FUNDÂ JET PROGRAM, TRAINING PROGRAM WITH THE INTENT OF PROVIDING EMPLOYERS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN THEIR EMPLOYEES AND WE MEET THEM HALFWAY IN REGARD TO SOME OF THE FUNDING MECHANISMS. UP TO $500,000 FOR PROJECT AND ONE THAT HAS BEEN USER FRIENDLY CUT THROUGH THE RED TAPE BUT WE HAD GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR TEAM AND OUR TEAM HERE IN AUSTIN TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PUTTING PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS TOGETHER TO BENEFIT EMPLOYERS AND THE EMPLOYEES ULTIMATELY THERE IN THE AREA.
WE DO THAT THROUGH THE UTILIZATION OF THAT PROGRAM.
WITH FOCUSING ON EMPLOYEES BUT ALSO ON EMPLOYER NEEDS.
SO, TO FOLLOW UP ON WHAT MR. DIMMERSON INFORMED US OF DR. WILKINS, I KNOW
[00:51:30]
(INDISCERNIBLE) STATEMENT WE'RE THE RECIPIENT OF MANY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND PROGRAMS. CAN YOU TELL US HOW THE COLLEGE USES THOSE FUNDS TO HELP EMPLOYERS RESKILL AND RETRAIN EMPLOYEES?THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER DIMMERSON.
WE'RE THE ENVY OF MANY BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF EMPLOYERS IN DALLAS THAT WE WORK WITH AND DALLAS COUNTY.
WE HAVE A WONDERFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TEXAS WORKFORCE SYSTEM.
WE HAD IT MANY YEARS AND WORK WITH HUNDREDS OF EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE BENEFITED FROM THAT.
RESKILLING, WE MENTIONED BEFORE.
RESKILLING FOR TECHNOLOGY OR UP SKILLING FOR HIGHER LEVEL OPPORTUNITIES.
WE WORK DIRECTLY WITH EMPLOYERS IN THE BEGINNING TO CREATE A TRAINING PLAN.
WHAT IS IT THEY NEED EMPLOYEES TO KNOW AND HOW CAN WE HELP THEM GET THAT TRAINING? SOMETIMES IT'S STANDARD TRAINING LIKE EXCEL OR POWERPOINT OR SOME OTHER COMMUTER APPLICATION.
SOMETIMES IT'S CUSTOMIZED TRAINING SPECIFIC TO A BUSINESS AND SOMETIMES IT'S SO SPECIFIC AND CUSTOMIZED, WE HAVE TO WORK WITH OUTSIDE TRAINING PROVIDERS TO DELIVER WHAT THE EMPLOYER NEEDS.
THAT IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT THE PROGRAM, IT'S BASED ON WHAT THE EMPLOYER NEEDS FOR THE BUSINESS.
THEY RESULT IN A BETTER TRAINED AND HIGHLY SKILLED WORKFORCE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE IMPACT THAT EMPLOYERS MAKE IN DALLAS COUNTY.
ALL OF THE PAYROLL THAT THEY PROVIDE FOR CITIZENS OF DALLAS COUNTY.
SO, THEY ARE ALSO IMPORTANT TO EMPLOYEES BEING TRAINED BECAUSE IT GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE SKILLS AND GIVE THEM A LEG UP AND HIGHER PAY IN SOME SITUATIONS.
COMMISSIONER MENTIONED SOME RECENT GRANTS TO US AND FIGURES, BUT TWC ALSO REALLY MOVED QUICKLY DURING THE PANDEMIC AND DID COVID 19 SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND GRANTS.
THEY PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYERS AND DALLAS COLLEGE RECEIVED SEVERAL OF THOSE.
I THINK WE HAVE SEVEN OF THOSE GRANTS, ACTUALLY, AND ARE WORKING WITH MULTIPLE EMPLOYERS IN DALLAS COUNTY.
SOME OF THE TRAINING IN THESE GRANTS IS SPECIFIC HOW TO GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK SAFELY AND KEEP EVERYBODY HEALTHY.
I'LL MENTION ONE OF THESE, ALFREDA TALKED ABOUT THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AND THE
[00:55:02]
RESTAURANTS AND THE CHALLENGES THERE.ONE OF OUR GRANTS OR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND GRANTS WAS FOCUSED ON HELPING THAT EFFORT, THE TEXAS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION TO IMPLEMENT WHAT THEY CALL THE TEXAS RESTAURANT PROMISE.
THOSE ARE GUIDELINES THAT SUPPORT THE SAFE REOPENING OF RESTAURANTS ACROSS TEXAS AND BRINGING PEOPLE BACK SAFELY.
IF THEY PARTICIPATE IN THE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUNDED PROGRAM, THEY GET WHAT IS CALLED A PROMISE ENDORSEMENT AND THAT SHOWS THEY'RE DOING ALL THEY CAN TO KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE AND PROTECTED WHILE IN A RESTAURANT.
SO WE'RE GETTING HERE TO THE END.
SO, MS. NORMAN IS GOING TO HAVE THE LAST QUESTION.
COMING BACK TO YOU MS. NORMANS WITH WE WORK WITH STUDENTS FACING BARRIERS, WHAT SHORT TERM TRAINING DO YOU BELIEVE UNDER EMPLOY WORKERS SHOULD CONSIDER AS THEY LOOK FOR WAYS TO PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
>> I HAVE TO SAY ONE OF THE MOST INCREDIBLE ASSETS THAT WE HAVE IN NORTH TEXAS IS DALLAS COLLEGE AND FOR MANY THAT ARE LISTENING ARE FINDING THAT TO BE TRUE AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
AND EVEN THINKING ABOUT WHERE YOU ARE GEOGRAPHICALLY, TEXAS, SPECIFICALLY NORTH TEXAS HAS A ROBUST ECONOMY.
THERE ARE JOB OPPORTUNITIES, GOOD JOBS.
BY THE WAY, MANY PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE COMING HERE AS FAST AS THEY CAN TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES.
WE REALLY WANT TEXANS, THOUGH, WE WANT THOSE THAT HAVE GROWN UP OR GONE TO OUR OWN DALLAS ISD AND OOZE, WE WANT YOU TO HAVE A SHOT AT THOSE JOBS.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK IN TERMS OF THINKING ABOUT YOUR FUTURE.
WHAT ARE THE JOBS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, PAYING WELL? WHAT ARE THE SECTORS THAT YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING INTO? SO THAT YOU KNOW YOU'RE INVESTMENT IN ALL THIS IS GOING TO PAY OFF.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
AS WE TALKED ABOUT A NOTION OF GETTING AÂ REMEMBER IT'S NOT JUST HARD SKILLS SO TO SPEAK OR TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THINGS.
IT'S KNOWING HOW TO GET ALONG ON BEING ON A TEAM.
HELPING OTHERS AND BEING POSITIVE AND SHOWING UP ON TIME AND THOSE THINGS COUNT AS WELL.
TECHNICAL, WHEN DOING YOUR JOB PERFORMANCES IN COMPANIES THESE DAYS, IT'S NOT JUST YOUR TECHNICAL THINGS YOU DO WELL, IT'S HOW AND WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON.
MAKE SURE YOU INVEST IN WHY UNFORTUNATELY AND HOW YOU CAN BE YOUR BEST SELF AND LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE.
FINALLY IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO MENTION ABOUT NON SKILL BARRIERS, REACHING OUT TO OTHERS THAT CAN BE HELPFUL TO YOU IN ALL AREAS THAT YOU ARE FACING.
IT'S HARD TO ASK FOR HELP, BUT WE HAVE TO.
YOU HAVE TO REACH OUT AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE WANTING TO HELP.
I SUGGEST LOOKING FOR A FINANCIAL COACH.
THERE IS A NONPROFIT CALLED WINGS.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE BENEFITS THAT YOU MIGHT BE AVAILABLE TO GET THAT YOU DON'T KNOW AND TO BALANCE THE BENEFITS.
AND ALSO TO DETERMINE WHEN YOU DO GET YOUR PAYCHECK, WHAT IS THE SMART THING TO DO WITH YOUR FINANCES AND DO YOU HAVE A PLAN TO BUILD WEALTH? VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.
FINALLY, I DID SAY FINALLY BUT THIS IS REALLY FINALLY, THINK ABOUT HOW YOU CAN PAY IT FORWARD.
IF YOU'RE LEARNING SOMETHING, IF YOU'RE GETTING AN OPPORTUNITY, IF YOU HAVE HAD SOMEONE HELP YOU REACH BACK AND HELP SOMEONE AS WELL.
FIND SOMEONE THAT YOU CAN MENTOR.
LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THE, YOU KNOW, THE HELP THAT YOU RECEIVED AND THEN TELL SOMEBODY ELSE.
IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR A STRONG ECONOMY THAT THEY HAVE A GOOD JOB SO THEY CAN PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE LABOR MARKET.
SO IT IS TIME TO WRAP UP OUR CONVERSATION TODAY.
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO SHARE FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT HOW TO SUPPORT UNDER AND UNEMPLOYED WORKERS IN TODAY'S ECONOMY.
MR. DIMMERSON, WE WOULD LIKE TO START WITH YOU.
>> I APPLAUD THE LOCAL EFFORTS TAKING PLACE.
HE WILL FREDAÂ APPLAUD EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RESOURCES THAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE HAS.
THEY DO AMAZING THINGS IN TERMS OF SUPPORTING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS OFFICE.
THAT IS BOOTS ON THE GROUND FOR US HERE.
FUNDING CONCEPT, IF YOU'RE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE TUNES AND BRAIDING THOSE TOGETHER, THAT LEADS TO SUCCESS AND MY FINAL COMMENTS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE GOVERNOR ALWAYS SAYS EDUCATION TOGETHER.
WORKFORCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION.
BRING THEM TOGETHER AND WE'RE ON OUR WAY OF DOING AMAZING THINGS GOING FORWARD.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LAST THOUGHTS.
>> I TRIED TO BE WRAP UP MY REMARKS UP IN MY LAST COMMENT, MY SENTIMENT I'M TRYING TO LEAVE WITH EVERYONE IS THAT I'M HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE AND POSSIBILITIES PARTICULARLY AS YOU ARE TALKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE RAILROAD EVEN FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB.
AND A LITTLE HELP FROM OTHERS LONG ALONG THE WAY.
IT'S SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO.
WE ALL NEED SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING BETTER TO SAY.
LET DALLAS COLLEGE HELP YOU WITH THE TECHNICAL, NON-TECHNICAL AND HELP CONNECT TO YOU RESOURCE THAT'S WILL HELP YOU BE SUCCESSFUL.
>> I HOPE THOSE WHO HAVE JOINED GET THE MESSAGE LOUD AND CLEAR.
THERE MAY BE SOME OF YOU WHO ARE FACING GREAT CHALLENGES, ALL IS NOT LOST.
THERE ARE RESOURCES OUT THERE TO HELP YOU WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE OUR E MAIL ADDRESS.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR WANT DIRECT CONTACT FOR SOME OF THESE RESOURCES THAT HAVE BEEN SHARED TODAY.
THE E MAIL ADDRESS IS TRUSTEE TOWN HALL AT DCCCD.EDU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.