Route Fifty’s Post

The stigma of having a criminal record, and stringent background checks alone pose significant barriers to employment for the justice-impacted. With formerly incarcerated individuals being 8 times less likely to complete college than the general public, the heavy emphasis on a college degree by employers has further marginalized them. Now, Massachusetts has taken a bold step to address this systemic issue. Governor Maura Healey issued an executive order directing state departments to prioritize skills-based employment practices over college credentials. As a proud partner of MA Department of Correction, Orijin™ applauds Gov. Healey for her bold leadership to re-define job readiness by focusing on skills, knowledge, and abilities rather than educational credentials. We urge others in the business community to follow suit. #Orijinedtech #CorrectionalEducation #DayOneEdtech #Techforgood

When it comes to finding skilled talent, #employers often struggle. In fact, 77% of them are having a hard time finding the right people for the job. And with half of the active labor force lacking #bachelorsdegree's, it's clear that something needs to change. Andrew Smalley from the National Conference of State Legislatures highlights in a recent piece how major companies and states are removing college degree requirements from their hiring process. This shift in employment needs and practices only heightens the importance of personalized, #competencybased education approaches that ensure students are future-ready with the knowledge, skills and dispositions required for a successful career. As we continue to see these changes in #workforce hiring practices, it's clear that these educational approaches will only continue to grow in importance. https://lnkd.in/er5FJj2V

Over the past year and a half, Governors in more than a dozen states have taken intentional steps to remove barriers to employment in the public sector by removing unnecessary bachelor’s degree requirements. This momentum for innovation in response to a tight labor market and a vision for economic opportunity has been accelerating the national policy conversation around skills-based hiring. These moves by Governors across the political spectrum have also highlighted the fact that, in most cases, the public sector represents the largest employment sector in the states. Should Governor Janet Mills follow consider joining in the state of Maine? https://lnkd.in/em5QHR4V

Unlocking Government Jobs: Attracting Young Talent & Lessons for All Businesses With over 1M open positions in government agencies, it's crucial to tap into fresh recruitment methods and modernized hiring processes to engage younger generations. Gen Z and Millennial workers represent a significant portion of the labor force, yet only 2% are in the federal workforce—time to broaden the talent pool! Shifting to skills-based hiring can attract diverse candidates, including re-skilled workers and former interns. Government agencies offer more than just competitive wages: job security, work-life balance, and meaningful missions are key attractions for young professionals. Addressing financial uncertainties through benefits education and student loan assistance programs can enhance employee well-being and retention. Lessons from the public sector: businesses can improve employee engagement and retention by prioritizing modern recruitment strategies and personalized benefits. #GovernmentJobs #RecruitmentStrategies

🚀 Addressing Georgia's Workforce Challenges Businesses in Georgia are facing a daunting challenge: a shortage of skilled workers. With 3 unemployed Georgians for every job opening, the state's Workforce Development Committee, led by Senator John Albers, is taking action. Georgia boasts a vast labor force of over 5.3 million, yet 3.2% are currently unemployed. Despite job growth, the demand for skilled workers persists. At a recent meeting, companies like UPS and Delta highlighted critical shortages. Steve Jones of UPS cited a deficit of over 100,000 drivers, projecting labor shortages until 2040. As solutions are explored, leaders advocate for bolstering technical education. Senator Jason Estevez emphasizes the importance of celebrating technical college pathways. The Blue Collar Recruiter is stepping up to address this issue by collaborating with high schools to offer alternative career paths. Stay tuned for our feature article diving deeper into Georgia's workforce challenges and solutions. https://lnkd.in/eUJ95iVG #WorkforceDevelopment #GeorgiaJobs #SkillsGap #EconomicGrowth

Research shows: policies that create barriers to employment for justice-involved job seekers are not supported by the facts. Crain's latest op-ed, co-authored by our CEO, explores an important question: is #FairChance hiring a realistic way to unlock new opportunities for your business? https://lnkd.in/eWuFWQAU

Second Chance Hiring, or the active choice of organizations to engage in the hiring of persons impacted by the collateral consequences of incarceration is fast becoming a CSR practice. An increasing body of literature is emerging on the advantage of hiring this population as giants such as J.P. Morgan launch initiatives such as "The Waiting Workforce" and the MIT Sloan School of Management joins in to highlight the benefits and government incentives available to these organizations exemplified through Kelly 33 and others. Among the factors of success identified in the 5-Key Reentry Model (the result of analyzing thousands and thousands of studies and programs) are meaningful work trajectories. Research on desistance confirms that postsecondary education is the top factor associated with a drop in recidivism (48%) and meaningful work trajectories are a large mediator of this effect. By properly vetting and engaging these populations sooner, we can change lives and add an estimated $87 Billion to the economy. Below is a recent article by the MIT Sloan School of Management on the topic that can provide a little insight. Tennessee Office of Reentry (TOOR) This is Living Ministries, Inc. Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Danielle Girt #secondchancehiring #csr #recidivism #workforcedevelopment #supportsecondchances #thewaitingworkforce #research #academia

Hiring based on skills is a win-win for employees and employers by removing 'unnecessary barriers:' report https://lnkd.in/gFSuquK8

The selection process is a rejection process, and we don't know what we are doing wrong! As young people enter the labour market each year the expectations and needs change. Last week we launched trail blazing guidance on Reimagining Hiring for the New Generation, a collaboration with Reed Screening, Bright Network, Lancaster University, and others to give UK employers practical recommendations to develop new hiring strategies. Lord Lucas said...."Getting young people into good jobs is a key priority. Today, almost one million young people who want to be in work are not... I am delighted to support this important work, and to support the work of the Better Hiring Institute more generally, one of the largest employer bodies active in the UK" Download the guidance for free by following this link - https://lnkd.in/eCRarewV #ReimaginingHiring #FasterFairerSafer #YoungPeople #Hiring

In 2024, the adoption of second-chance employment stands as a transformative strategy for talent acquisition. Recognizing the untapped potential of individuals with past criminal records not only diversifies the talent pool but also addresses critical labor shortages, especially in sectors like light industrial. Recent research from RAND Corporation underscores the loyalty, commitment, and reduced recidivism rates associated with second-chance hires — challenging outdated adverse perceptions about work ethic and reliability. Champion Personnel has long championed this approach, witnessing firsthand the mutual benefits it brings to both businesses and communities. When integrating these individuals into the workforce, companies also play a crucial part in community rehabilitation efforts. Click below to learn more about the profound impact of second-chance employment on talent retention and community engagement in our latest blog.  #SecondChanceEmployer #CommunityInvolvement #ReadingJobs #LebanonJobs