KRA employs a community-driven approach to providing effective workforce-development services across the country. Which jobseekers in the community most need educational, skills-training, and employment opportunities? Which employers in the community most need skilled and reliable workers to meet short- and long-range workforce needs? It is the answers to these critical questions that dictate the goals and objectives of our Innovative, Exceptional, and Trusted service-delivery systems.
For the Reno-based American Job Center Of Nevada (AJC-Nevada), operated for Nevadaworks since August 2018, two at-risk populations are predominant, and not mutually exclusive: Latinos and Out-of-School Youth (OSY), 17-24. Subsequently, months of research, community outreach, and planning led to the first targeted event in April 2019, with AJC-Nevada hosting a highly successful Latinos to Work: Get Better Pay, Faster! Career Fair.
Responding to positive community feedback and support, AJC-Nevada collaborated with the Nevadaworks Youth Council to organize a second event, a Youth Job and Career Expo on August 1, 2019, providing 275+ OSY with workforce-readiness workshops and the opportunity to meet with 14 employers from myriad industry sectors, as well as 13 Apprenticeship and Vocational Training Program representatives.
Prior to the Expo, the Regional Transportation Commission provided 500 two-way bus passes for youth to attend the event. In addition, Rounds Bakery, the Economic Development Association of Western Nevada, and a private donor provided 500 free brown-bag lunches.
The Church of Latter Day Saints donated 500 drawstring backpacks containing personal-care items, including combs and free-haircut coupons donated by the Paul Mitchell School, to assist youth with preparing for interview and employment opportunities. Also, donations for a raffle included Target Gift Cards and an Emergency Kit from the Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority.
In addition to representatives from Senator Jacky Rosen’s office, supporters included 26 city and county agencies and organizations, and local business-partners, all dedicated to advancing the AJC-Nevada Expo mission to provide young jobseekers with free career-development services to prepare them with the workforce skills needed to support Northern Nevada’s in-demand job market.