How Workforce Development Can Work Well for Jobseekers and Business
Plinio Ayala, President and CEO of Per Scholas, wrote “How Workforce Development Can Work Well for Jobseekers and Business” April 4, 2013. It was posted to the Huffington Post blog “What is Working: Small Business.” Workforce development is all about connecting individuals who want good jobs with employers who want good workers. A well-designed workforce system can help small businesses find and retain a high-quality labor force, at very low cost. A poorly designed workforce system can be a costly distraction, to both small businesses and job-seekers. As a longtime...
Read MoreWhat is Working: Per Scholas Job Training
I often receive e-mails from students thanking Per Scholas for the training program and updating me on how they are doing. I received one today that was particularly inspiring. This student shared with me that he had just landed a job earning $55,000 with benefits. Nic mentioned how long a journey it has been for him since he was laid off back in 2008. He talked about how he worked in temp positions for short periods of time and finally became completely unemployed in 2009. He had no choice but to apply for welfare. He came to Per Scholas a few months ago for help, a second chance....
Read MoreWhat does a College Degree mean these Days?
I was paid a visit by a friend of my oldest son this past Saturday. It had been three years since I had seem him. He is now a college graduate with a degree in International Studies. We spent a bit of time together catching up. He spoke a great deal about his college experience and especially his semester abroad in London. He had grown into a fine young man. He also shared his future plans with me. He expressed tremendous frustration that his plans were on hold because he had trouble finding a job. He asked if I could help. He told me what he was looking for. I told him I would do my...
Read MoreMeet Plinio
Ok, I admit it: I am an avid New York Mets fan. I’m somewhat of an anomaly, I know — born and raised in the boogie-down Bronx. Although my baseball heart belongs to the blue and orange, my soul belongs to this amazing borough. My mom lives here as does most of my family. I have witnessed and been part of many of the ups and downs that the borough has faced, and I’ve battled the negative perception that is quite unwarranted. When people outside of NYC think of the Bronx, they far too often recall scenes from Paul Newman’s Fort Apache movie, or of President Jimmy...
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