With data in-hand on market needs, workforce needs, and anticipated climate-impacts on your area canopy, your next step is to outline how your pre-employment program can exist at the nexus of all of these factors to solve these challenges and more. Use the practices and policies below to ensure program partners develop the necessary buy-in from internal and external stakeholders to execute successful career pathways programs.
Internal practices
Employers in All Sectors:
- Conduct diversity, equity, and inclusion training
- Serve on state and regional workforce boards
- Adopt ban the box hiring practices
Community Partners:
- Verify alignment with successful components of pre-employment programs
- Set internal diversity, equity, and inclusion goals using Green 2.0 and the Moving Forward Initiative
External policies
Employers in All Sectors:
- Advocate for inclusive government contracting policies that favor local hiring
- Testify on current and projected industry demand and triple bottom line results from investments in urban forestry career pathways
Community Partners:
- Share about anticipated health and safety metrics resulting from this work
- Present potential increases in employment numbers for vulnerable populations
- Discuss career pathways links to improving the retention of wealth in marginalized neighborhoods