A Community Transformed: The Unum Workforce Development Forum
A Community Transformed: The Unum Workforce Development Forum
Industry: Global Fortune 500 Company
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Tactic: Community Transformation
Results:
18 organizations united, fostering community-wide collaboration.
Innovative solutions developed: EMPACT for Corporations, Chattanooga Works, and Talent Hub.
Tangible impact with new training programs and career fairs benefiting job seekers.
The Challenge:
The Unum WFDF (Workforce Development Forum) faced a critical challenge: how might we remove barriers in the hiring process to help populations experiencing unemployment or underemployment earn and retain a living wage?
The vision of this program was to ensure that every member of the community could find meaningful work and make a living wage. To achieve this goal, the initiative aimed to bring together local non-profit organizations, community workforce development programs, educational institutions, and employers to brainstorm creative solutions and develop shared action plans.
Bridge Innovate was brought in due to their expertise in facilitating collaborative problem-solving and driving actionable change through innovative solutions. Their role was to unite diverse stakeholders, guide the ideation process, and help implement practical solutions to address the hiring challenges.
Here’s how it went:
The Solution:
Bridge Innovate orchestrated the collaboration of 18 organizations from across Chattanooga to address the challenge. The approach involved three major steps:
Gather Data and Understand the Customer: The team began by collecting comprehensive data and insights to understand the needs and challenges faced by the target populations. This step was crucial in ensuring that all subsequent actions were informed by real-world data and community input.
Develop Ideas and Prototypes: Using the gathered data, the team facilitated brainstorming sessions to develop innovative ideas and prototypes. This phase involved creativity and strategic thinking, leading to several potential solutions.
Form Solution Teams to Test Prototypes and Implement Change: Dedicated solution teams were formed to test the prototypes and drive actionable change. These teams transformed ideas into tangible results.
Organizations involved included Unum, EPB, United Way, The Enterprise Center, Chattanooga State Community College, American Job Center, City of Chattanooga, Chattanooga Chamber, Northside Neighborhood House, Southeast Tennessee Development District, Regions Bank, Tech Goes Home, Benwood Foundation, Hamilton County Schools, Thrive Regional Partnership, Hamilton County Mayor’s Office, Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.
The Result:
The initiative led to the formation of three solution teams, each focusing on specific aspects of the challenge and composed of sponsors, team members, and partners:
1. EMPACT for Corporations
Solution Concept:
EMPACT / Skill Up aimed to leverage the success of the EMPACT partnership program offered by Chattanooga State and the City of Chattanooga, extending its application to corporations. The program focused on building skills through job training and workforce preparedness tailored to employer opportunities.
Key Accomplishments:
Studied the Google IT Program offered by Chattanooga State and The Enterprise Center.
Explored the EPB EMPACT program, gaining valuable insights.
Conducted an EMPACT for Corporations prototype design at the August 2023 WFDF session.
Engaged BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST) as a potential participating employer.
Hosted seven EMPACT Solution Team Collaboration Meetings.
2. Chattanooga Works
Solution Concept:
Chattanooga Works aimed to communicate available workforce training resources and provide a navigation tool to connect job seekers with employers’ position requirements. This initiative addressed awareness challenges and initiated actions leading to a thriving wage for the unemployed or underemployed in Hamilton County.
Key Accomplishments:
Explored external solutions such as Workbay (https://www.workbay.net/) and the Colorado Springs Workforce Asset Map (https://coswam.com/).
Evaluated current state sites in the region, including Chattanooga Calling via the Chattanooga Chamber site, American Job Centers site, and the City of Chattanooga Economic Development Workforce Development site.
Analyzed job-seeking behaviors, primarily through phone and word of mouth, as reported by Northside Neighborhood House clients.
Conducted surveys and explored data from the American Job Center (AJC).
Investigated digital skill barriers and potential solutions with Tech Goes Home.
Hosted three Chattanooga Works Solution Team Meetings.
3. Talent Hub
Solution Concept:
The Talent Development Hub aimed to create a collaborative space at Community Centers, providing access to employers, skills training, tech resources, and support for the hiring process. This initiative made it easier for job seekers to apply for jobs, access transportation, and feel welcomed.
Key Accomplishments:
Conducted a Talent Hub Collaborative Career Fair at East Chattanooga Recreation Center on April 6, 2023.
Conducted onsite surveys and interviews at East Chattanooga Community Center, gathering valuable feedback.
Explored lessons learned from the Urban League Job Fair and other Recreation Center-based job fairs.
Identified digital skills gaps for applicants and engaged Tech Goes Home to provide tech skills training and coaching.
Explored the Trades Industry Career Fair at South Chattanooga Community Center as a model for future initiatives.
Hosted six Talent Hub Solution Team Meetings, ensuring continuous improvement and adaptation.
Through these collaborative efforts, Bridge Innovate successfully guided the Unum WFDF initiative in addressing barriers in the hiring process. As a result, unemployed and underemployed populations in Chattanooga were better equipped to achieve meaningful employment and living wages, fulfilling the initiative's vision and goals.
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