Public Libraries: Partners in Workforce Development

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As the nation begins recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people are seeking opportunities to build skills, find and improve job prospects, and prepare for in-demand careers. Originally presented August–November 2021, the Public Libraries: Partners in Workforce Development webinar series showcased public library and partner workforce and career services from around the country. Each webinar tackled a different topic related to workforce development and provided practical tools and tips for libraries to plan, deliver, promote, assess, and advocate for these services to advance equitable economic recovery.

The Public Libraries: Partners in Workforce Development series was co-developed by PLA and Libswork, a national networking group on workforce and small business development.

On-Demand Webinars

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Partnering to Meet Community Workforce Needs

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Introduces and showcases national workforce partners and local collaborative program examples. Panelists answer the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, and, most importantly, HOW to collaborate to improve library services and visibility—no matter your starting point—as well as enhance patron and community impacts.

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Strengthen Patron Workforce Opportunities with Labor Market Information

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Highlights labor market information (LMI) resources and use cases and demonstrates how this information can inform and improve workforce service development, outreach, and partnerships to connect residents with in-demand jobs, gain in-demand skills, and improve economic mobility.

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Supporting Patrons to Obtain In-Demand Credentials That Boost Employability and Career Mobility

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Hear from a panel of experts who have made sense of the maze of available learning opportunities to connect workers to high-quality NDCs that lead to in-demand jobs and career pathways. Learn about nationally recognized, “stackable,” and portable credentials, and how library staff are supporting patrons to secure them to boost their employability and career mobility.

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Bridging Workers’ Digital Skills Gaps through Libraries

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Hear from national, state, and local leaders developing strategies and implementing programs to begin closing the digital skills divide, specifically focused on employability outcomes and workforce development.

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Boosting Youth Workforce Readiness

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Learn about programs happening in both formal and informal learning environments that are helping youth develop essential skills and experiences to be successful in pursuit of their interests and skills, including work-based learning opportunities, apprenticeships, and more.

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Supporting Formerly Incarcerated Individuals with a Fresh Start @ Your Library

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Learn from members of the Fresh Start @ Your Library team, including social workers, and understand the steps they took to reach formerly incarcerated individuals and provide services to six communities through the public library.