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Dubuque Works /
Access My Future |
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| The Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council has a long history of contributing to workforce development efforts in the community. Partnering with the Dubuque Works initiative was a natural fit with the Labor-Management Council's vision statement. |
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| Kelly Cooper, Executive Director, of the Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council will chair the portion of Dubuque Works that will work to change the image and perceptions of the skilled trade jobs in the greater Dubuque area. This will be accomplished by educating youth on the opportunities that exist within the skilled trades. Skilled trades can mean different things to different people. This program will focus on positions in manufacturing, information technology, health care and construction. "Research is being gathered, so we know what the true needs will be in the community. We want to let the students know what job opportunities will exist, so they can make an informed decision about their future" stated Cooper. |
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| Changing the image and perceptions will be achieved in a variety of ways. One of the ways to begin to change the perceptions is by getting information out to the students to let them know the benefits of working in a skilled trade position. Industry professionals will be going to area high schools to speak to the students during career fairs. This will give the students an opportunity to learn more about the careers from a person already working in the field. Students will also be taken to area businesses to tour facilities. This will give the students a chance to see how a variety of jobs are done on site. Students can learn about jobs in the schools, but until they actually get to see the job performed they don't have the knowledge they need to make a career decision. A Career and Technical Fair will also be held to educate even more students and adults about job opportunities. The students will be able to move from booth to booth and participate in hands-on demonstrations while gathering information about educational options that are available. |
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| Using current technology will also help us to get the message out to youth. The AccessMyFuture.com website, developed through a partnership of the Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council and East Central Governmental Association, will be used to market to students to research career opportunities and also videos of local young people in some of the skilled trade positions. |
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| Re-imaging the skilled trades is a portion of Dubuque Works that will take many partners to accomplish. We will be building partnerships with area middle schools, high schools, higher education institutions, non-profits and public and private companies. This is truly a community effort. |
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