We are flying high after spending a few days immersed in community at our national convening, SHIFT: The Future of Workforce. From a wonderful keynote address by Tawanna Black, to four thought-provoking plenaries, and a series of great workshops — we are humbled by the powerful discussions that took place.
We’ll have a lot more to say on this after we let it all sink in, but until then, relive the convening with 10 big ideas from #SHIFTWorkforce.
1. Occupational segregation is unnatural and pervasive.
@AnnePriceICCED kicking off a critical conversation about America’s two-tiered labor market and #occupationalsegregation
How are people of color tracked or steered into certain careers? Do we give people true agency over their lives and careers? #SHIFTWorkforce pic.twitter.com/m3bsyG2JY3
— Ashley Putnam (@AshleyAPutnam) September 28, 2022
#SHIFTworkforce: @AnnePriceICCED "90% of our labor market is racially segregated." "We have a two-tiered labor market." "Race, gender, and economics" drive jb categories. #equity #inclusion #goodjobs #careers @National_Fund @WorkingNation pic.twitter.com/TXOuwFzWLt
— Ramona Schindelheim (@RamonaWritesLA) September 28, 2022
2. Disaggregated data rules.
Take your time. We can nerd out over disaggregated data all day🙂 #SHIFTWorkforce https://t.co/oF6B4K7X1c
— National Fund for Workforce Solutions (@National_Fund) September 28, 2022
3.Racial Equity and Inclusion must be central to all of our workforce efforts.
Is the extra $3 dollars worth the harm if a worker is unwelcome in their workplace- @AnnePriceICCED talk that talk! I'm 👂🏾. #SHIFTWorkforce @MKEWFA pic.twitter.com/VEubM24SMZ
— Shannon Reed (@sdreed27) September 28, 2022
“Turnover is the enemy of racial equity and inclusion” Dr. Ellen Frank-Miller. @National_Fund #WORKShift pic.twitter.com/FwP0p07ykK
— Talia Frye (@FryeTalia) September 28, 2022
4. The words we use and narratives we uphold have consequences.
Inspired by Anne Price’s words about how to interrogate our narratives to eliminate diminishing words and practices. Consider what is being said, how it is being said, and what narratives flow behind. @National_Fund #shiftworkforce #workforcedevelopment pic.twitter.com/J4YbmcwIdl
— RealTimeTalent (@RealTime_Talent) September 28, 2022
Language and narrative is important. “Stop saying low-skilled workers” @AnnePriceICCED. YES!!! 👏🏽👏🏽 #SHIFTWorkforce @National_Fund pic.twitter.com/prV3Glfowc
— Luis Sandoval (@Luis_E_Sandoval) September 28, 2022
Narratives that drive workforce development are all tied to individualism. @AnnePriceICCED bringing truth to #SHIFTWorkforce pic.twitter.com/idBOvN9CHj
— TBMansfield (@MansfieldTB) September 28, 2022
5. We all need to think about how we are working with native nations and communities.
I think a powerful question presented in the Native Nations and Communities workshop is are we willing to shift our definition of workforce development in order to meet communities where they are. #SHIFTworkforce
— Michael Richardson (@IamMikeRich) September 29, 2022
6. Trauma is a workplace issue.
Appreciate #SHIFTWorkforce uplifting the impact of trauma in the workplace. We’re not just workers – we’re humans. Who have been through STUFF. How can employers recognize and better support their most important investment – their people! @National_Fund #mentalhealth #wkdev
— SkillWorks (@SkillWorks_MA) September 28, 2022
The pandemic was traumatizing for many #wkdev professionals, particularly those on the frontlines working with local residents who were suffering trauma themselves. We need to recognize this. What else can we do to support resiliency? #SHIFTWorkforce
— Raija Vaisanen (@RaijaVaisanen) September 28, 2022
7. Taking job quality seriously is imperative for workers and businesses.
We will need 7.9 million new direct care workers. These jobs aren’t going away so we need to make them better #SHIFTWorkforce pic.twitter.com/lhPAAU7dWm
— Christopher Mills 🏳️🌈🚄🚴🏻🦝 (@chrisjmills) September 29, 2022
Better job quality = Better business outcomes #SHIFTWorkforce
— mazzano (@mazzano) September 28, 2022
8. The future of workforce involves reimagining systems.
Love the point made here about how the workforce system is built out of colonization and western white supremacist ideals. So we have to really think about reimagining a system understanding it’s oppressive relationship with many different communities of color. #SHIFTworkforce
— Michael Richardson (@IamMikeRich) September 29, 2022
We are discussing collaboration a lot at #ShiftWorkforce. As we should, but it will require funders to fund differently. And push for policy change. Are we ready?
— Andre Green (@dre4theville) September 28, 2022
9. We can’t forget about workers while doing workforce development.
Great conversation recognizing that we do a lot of talking ABOUT workers without them being present or participating in the conversations themselves. In #wkdev we all need to learn new and better ways to incorporate and really use #workervoice #SHIFTWorkforce
— Raija Vaisanen (@RaijaVaisanen) September 29, 2022
@TawannaABlack notes that employers too often think about helping “those people over there” as a charity, and don’t examine their own practices or listen to their own workers.
What does it mean to be an inclusive and equitable employer? How can we measure it? #ShiftWorkforce pic.twitter.com/cFaZaZlrkN
— Ashley Putnam (@AshleyAPutnam) September 28, 2022
10. We go farther when we go together. The National Fund’s workforce community is everything.
The smiles in this pic are so real! Loved hearing @AnnePriceICCED speak, as always. And even better to connect and give her a big hug! #SHIFTWorkforce pic.twitter.com/jLGRB9J6aK
— TBMansfield (@MansfieldTB) September 28, 2022
The delegation from Wichita is loving the @National_Fund #SHIFTWorkforce Conference @kjsmith7959 @cchilders80 @LauraGWKS @keithlawing @workforcecenter pic.twitter.com/hsCQ4f99UV
— Amanda Duncan (@AmandaDuncanICT) September 29, 2022
Scrolling through my twitter feed like, dang I'm missing being in the presence of some remarkable changemakers at #SHIFTWorkforce. Thank you @WorkforceAmanda and @National_Fund for your vision and leadership. pic.twitter.com/q1QATPPmTT
— ReniseWalker (@ReniseWalker) September 29, 2022
Traveled all the way to Minneapolis to see @PeterACallstrom, Micheal Gritton and @memattke, the best Workforce Board Directors in the country. Only missing @keithlawing #SHIFTWorkforce pic.twitter.com/f2KKsrZW8i
— Amanda Duncan (@AmandaDuncanICT) September 28, 2022
@Building_Skills couldn’t do this work without amazing partners, staff and board members. Proud to be at #SHIFTWorkforce with BSP board member @aawebber and funder partner @WorldEdServices. @National_Fund pic.twitter.com/pWxEBb5MHZ
— Luis Sandoval (@Luis_E_Sandoval) September 28, 2022
Excited to be back in person for @National_Fund #ShiftWorkforce conference in Minneapolis.
It has been great to reconnect with colleagues in person, and always great to hear from @TawannaABlack @EconInclusion who challenges us to think about addressing systemic disparities. pic.twitter.com/tOKgbOpxLx
— Ashley Putnam (@AshleyAPutnam) September 28, 2022
