Talent & Economic Mobility
Talent & Economic Mobility
Goal: Invest in Berks County’s greatest asset – its people – by supporting structures to connect residents to opportunity jobs so that they may more fully contribute to and benefit from the Berks County economy
- Retain and add workers to Berks County, prioritizing retention and support for the unemployed and underemployed
- Invest in and support workforce readiness and upskilling initiatives
- Support businesses in recruiting talent for immediate hiring, retaining employees, and reducing the number of labor exits
- Match disconnected youth and Latino talent with opportunity jobs and pathways to prosperity
Opportunity Jobs
We’re committed to enhancing access to Opportunity Jobs. By focusing on these types of jobs we commit to addressing economic mobility for our residents. Partnering with organizations like Connections Work, I-LEAD, and Tec Centro Berks, funding to support their programming leads to direct impacts on educational attainment and job placements.
We identified English proficiency and communication in the workforce as a key barrier to entry for many residents. Customized programming that helps Spanish-speaking individuals access English Language Learning courses can increase options, opportunities, and provide that pathway to Opportunity Jobs.
I-LEAD is providing HiSET classes and exams to help individuals receive their High School Diplomas and Certificates to access to higher-paying jobs.
Tec Centro Berks has several Occupational Training programs for in-demand professions. In the field of healthcare, their training courses lead to jobs and serves as a pipeline for further education opportunities at Reading Area Community College.
Connections Work in partnership with the Berks County Workforce Development Board are using a Youth Reentry Grant to help 18 to 24 year-olds build work skills and land an opportunity job.
Meet Greater Reading
Goal: Support businesses in recruiting talent for immediate hiring, retaining employees, and reducing the number of labor force exits.
Did you know that we have an entire website devoted to talent attraction and retention?
Economic development doesn’t happen without available talented people. We want to showcase Berks County as a location of choice for new and current talent. That’s Meet Greater RDG’s focus.
It’s a tool, it’s a resource, it’s for you!
Read the latest issue of the Meet Greater Reading magazine by clicking on the image on the left.