Cheyney University Study: Businesses, Universities and Workforce Training Programs can do more to Address Philadelphia Region’s Employment Disparities
(CHEYNEY, PA – January 09, 2020) – Cheyney University’s Institute of Contemporary African American Experience (ICAAE) has completed a research project on race as it relates to access to economic opportunities in the Philadelphia region. The study was funded by a grant from the Starbucks Foundation.
The study’s findings, while disturbing in many aspects, also revealed prospects for hope and some innovative recommendations to alleviate the region’s economic and employment disparities that have contributed to a workforce population that lacks the skills to compete in a 21st century job market. Government, private industry, workforce development programs and universities all have a role to play in better preparing applicants and motivating them to take a more productive approach to move ahead.
“There needs to be a shift in many job seekers’ mind state within the community,” Atif Bostic, Executive Director of Uplift Solutions told the researchers. “If you’re comfortable saying that something is ‘not my job,’ then it never will be. If you tell your supervisor that you don’t get paid for that, then you never will. Employees need to view these situations as opportunities as it is very hard to give a role to someone else if you are already doing it.”
The study concluded companies also must consider hiring models that invest in on-the-job training, specialized education, and provide incentives for life-long learning. The existing career and workforce development entities throughout the city present an opportunity for policymakers to fund, expand, and organize existing resources with the same goal.
The study notes that other solutions may present themselves if America’s healthcare insurance system changes. If an employer no longer has to invest in the cost of healthcare for their workers, these savings could be used to invest in improving the skills of the labor force.
The Institute of Contemporary African American Experience was launched by Cheyney University in 2018. One of its first priorities was to examine how unemployment rates continue to remain high in the region even as companies struggle to recruit and retain skilled employees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics determined that even though Philadelphia’s unemployment rate has declined, the overall unemployment rate is still higher than the national average. Research also shows that in Philadelphia over 53,000 citizens are categorized as the ‘working poor.’
The ICAEE team attended two job fairs in Philadelphia during the study. Although the attendees were described as enthusiastic and hopeful of attaining full-time living wage employment, conversations prompted by the researchers found that employment recruiters experienced difficulties finding qualified candidates beyond entry-level positions.
Michael Robinson, Director of Community Outreach & Hiring at the Lenfest North Philadelphia Workforce Initiative at Temple University, was the organizer of one of the job fairs the research team attended in Philadelphia. Robinson believes that “the high unemployment rate and high failure rates of companies to fill positions is due to the education and training level of the applicant pool.”
Positions exist but the pool of applicants does not have the skills necessary to fulfill positions higher than the entry-level positions.
“Employers tend to use the same resources when seeking talent, which is similar to fishing in the same watering hole,” Robinson said. “Philadelphia employers need to continue to find innovative ways to identify, develop, and cultivate talent.”
Cheyney University President Aaron A. Walton said Cheyney wants to continue to advance this conversation.
“The ICAEE welcomes any organizations interested in further addressing questions surrounding diversity, inclusion, and belongingness as it pertains to recruiting and retaining African-Americans in the Philadelphia labor force,” Walton said. With the current tight labor market, there is no good reason to have so many people lacking the opportunity to participate in the workforce.”
Any organizations interested in joining with ICAEE in seeking solutions should contact Irma Aguirre, Director of Strategic Alliance & Career Development at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.
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About Cheyney – Founded in 1837, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the nation’s oldest historically Black institution of higher education. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility among not only Historically Black Colleges and Universities, but in all of American higher education. The campus is located on 275 acres straddling Delaware and Chester Counties. Read more at www.cheyney.edu.
About The Starbucks Foundation – The Starbucks Foundation is a charitable organization that receives funding from the Starbucks Corporation and private donations. The Foundation’s goals are aimed at supporting communities affected by disaster and advancing opportunities for youth, veterans and refugees.