In today’s highly competitive global economy, skill-building is becoming increasingly important for achieving self-sufficiency. This conference call highlights strategies that have shown promise in helping low-income individuals gain access to education and training, and develop the skills necessary to advance in their careers.

Guests:

• Tom Brock, Director, Young Adults and Postsecondary Education, MDRC

• Israel Mendoza, Director, Adult Literacy and Basic Skills Programs, Washington States Board for Community and Technical Colleges

• Elaine DeLott Baker, Director of Workforce Initiatives, Community College of Denver

Click here to burn a copy of "TANF 2006: CLASP-CBPP Skill Upgrading - The Role of Community Colleges in Helping Low-Skilled Workers to Advance in the Labor Market"

Although many TANF recipients have entered the labor market, many former recipients remain poor, and continually struggle in low-wage jobs. Research has shown that the type of jobs in which TANF recipients are placed initially have long-term implications for both employment retention and earnings. This conference call highlights strategies that have shown promise in helping low-income individuals gain access to jobs that will lead to opportunities for advancement.

Guests:
• Jerry Rubin, Vice President, Building Economic Opportunity Project, Jobs for the Future
• Dan Miller, Director, Los Angeles County Office of Education - GAIN Division
• Brian Stone, Executive Director for the Center for Workforce Leadership and Vice President of Policy and Programs for WorkSource, Jacksonville, Florida
 

Click here to burn a copy of "TANF 2006: CLASP-CBPP Not Just Any Job - Helping TANF Recipients Access Good Jobs"

Transitional jobs programs are a promising strategy for helping TANF recipients with barriers to employment transition into the labor market. Program participants are paid wages, gain work experience, and build skills necessary for future success in the workplace. This conference call highlights the elements and design of successful transitional jobs programs.

Guests:
• Jan Mueller, Co-chair of the National Transitional Jobs Network and Director of New Workforce Program Development, Lifetrack Resources (MN)
• Richard Greenwald, President and CEO of the Transitional Work Corporation (PA)
• Linda Nguyen, Planning and Program Development Director, Tacoma-Pierce County Workforce Development Board (WA)
 

Click here to burn a copy of "TANF 2006: CLASP-CBPP Transitional Jobs - Helping TANF Recipients with Barriers to Employment Succeed in the Labor Market"