Rethinking Recruitment: Exploring Contextualized Recruitment Strategies for Communities July 17, 2018

Michelle Lee-Jones Workforce Analyst, Employment and Training Administration U.S. Department of Labor

Joel Miranda Michael Springer Senior Director, Leadership Development YouthBuild, USA Michael Springer Construction Manager and Recruitment Coordinator YouthBuild, Louisville

Explore the role of partnerships in successful recruitment strategies Learn how youth partnership can support recruitment efforts Re-think the recruitment timeline Hear innovative practices from peer presenters

Our Goal: Successful Outcomes Partnerships are Key Recruitment Strategy Quality program with rigorous education and training Effective supportive services Innovative work readiness approach Strong community, employer, post-secondary education partners See youth as partners Successful outcomes start with successful recruitment strategy Leverages program practice, partnerships and community supports Engages young people in recruitment strategy and process

When does recruitment season start? 2-4 months before a new cycle 4-6 months before a new cycle 1-3 months before a cycle ends Recruitment is a year-round process

Recruitment is a year-round process Should start upon successful completion of Mental Toughness Leverage existing partnerships and relationships Linked to success of current cycle Recruitment is a year-round process

What partnerships should programs leverage most for recruitment purposes? Community partners (youth serving and like- minded orgs) Education and employment partners Current and former participants All of the above

Leveraging Community Partners Ask partners to post a flyer, repost a social media message, or refer young people directly to your program Identify ways your partners can be invited to engage in programmatic activities: Service-learning projects Monthly or quarterly community meetings Opportunities for work experience, such as on-the-job training, job shadowing, or mentoring Referral services to community partners Community partners include other youth- serving organizations, local American Job Centers, local courts, police officers, local businesses (i.e. small corner stores and other community business), and local community leaders.

Education and Employment Placement Partners Make sure they are aware of YouthBuild program philosophy and practices Schedule tours and job shadows Invite to graduation Create advisory group of education and employment partners to strengthen program practices and effectiveness resulting in: Improved services and training for youth participants Stronger placement connections Successful and thriving young people who exit the program with positive placements Education and employment placement partners may not necessarily provide a steady stream of young people who might enroll in the program, but they are key partners that the program should engage throughout the year.

Participants as Partners A Strong Alumni Network Provides engagement for former participants Allows current participants to engage with successful graduates Facilitates documentation of successful outcomes Facilitates documentation and service related to placement needs Successful graduates are more likely to spread the word about the program The strongest advocates and source of promotion for the YouthBuild program are the young people who have completed the program successfully and are thriving in their lives beyond YouthBuild.

Discussion Question #1 How is your program engaging partners (community, PSE, career, youth participants) in your recruitment efforts? Unmute your phone line using *6, or type your response in the chat box.

Engage Stakeholders in Recruitment Create relevant and appropriate messaging that can be shared with the right partner and via the right platform Develop a social media strategy Create a recruitment calendar Document recruitment contact and outreach efforts Make sure your website is up to date with current pictures and success stories and drive traffic to your site According to a 2018 report by the Pew Research Center, 94% of 18-24 year olds use YouTube.

Targeting your message to your audience.. Milwaukee Area Technical College YouthBuild https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRuVK8t5Ecs

Discussion Question #2 How are you targeting your messaging to best leverage your partners and their communication channels? Unmute your phone line using *6, or type your response in the chat box.

Building Lives by Building Partnerships Michael Springer Leadership Coordinator/ Case Manager/ Recruitment Specialist  YouthBuild Louisville

The Building Lives Luncheon 1 hour luncheon; 2x a month 15-20 guests per luncheon Toolbox lunchbox includes meal and program literature Guests include community, employer and PSE partners, and youth interested in enrolling in YouthBuild Program staff share information about program services and community impact Participants and graduates share impact of YouthBuild in their lives and career success

The Building Lives Luncheon Short-term Impact 360-400 partners and youth engaged Relationships with the program and between partners are strengthened A pipeline of interested youth is curated and nurtured resulting a fruitful recruitment process All guests are invited to the annual Building Lives Lunch partner appreciation and community event

The Building Lives Luncheon Long-term Impact New base of partners and potential donors is identified and nurtured Ongoing engagement of new and existing partners results in donations of up to $150K to support program operations and sustainability Young people are engaged as partners vs simply as potential new recruits Participant interview and selection process is supported by pre-existing engagement of youth and pre-program engagement and referrals as needed Young people enroll in the YouthBuild program are better informed of, and prepared to, meet program expectations and outcomes

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Source: https://youthbuild.workforcegps.org/resources/2018/06/04/18/57/YouthBuild_Recruitment_and_Social_Media_Tips

Recruitment Contacts and Efforts Author(s): Cadillac YouthBuild Source: https://youthbuild.workforcegps.org/resources/2014/08/21/10/09/recruitment-contacts-and-efforts

Marketing Plan Tool and Activity Calendar Source: https://youthbuild.workforcegps.org/resources/2017/08/02/11/45/Recruitment-Marketing-Tool-and-Activity-Calendar

https://youthbuild.workforcegps.org/

YouthBuild Recruitment and Social Media Tips https://youthbuild.workforcegps.org/resource s/2018/06/04/18/57/YouthBuild_Recruitment _and_Social_Media_Tips Recruitment Contacts and Efforts https://youthbuild.workforcegps.org/resource s/2014/08/21/10/09/recruitment-contacts- and-efforts Recruitment Marketing Tool and Activity Calendar https://youthbuild.workforcegps.org/resource s/2017/08/02/11/45/Recruitment-Marketing- Tool-and-Activity-Calendar

Sustainability: Partnership Development and Diversification of Funds Webinar August 7, 2018 NCCER Construction Certification Training Oakland, CA July 30-August 3, 2018 Region 5 Peer to Peer Training Chicago, IL August 2-3, 2018 Region 1, 2, 3, 6 Peer to Peer Training Atlanta, GA September 19-21, 2018

Joel Miranda Michael Springer Senior Director, Leadership Development YouthBuild USA jmiranda@youthbuild.org Michael Springer Construction Manager and Recruitment Coordinator, YouthBuild Louisville mikespringer44@gmail.com