CASA de Marylandand

Prince George’s Community College Partnership

WORKER CENTERS, CBOS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES – A PARTNERSHIP TO SUPPORT

IMMIGRANT WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Prince George’s Community College

• One of the largest community colleges in Maryland • Large geographic area to serve• Five main locations; plus many others• Demographic make-up

CASA de Maryland• Maryland’s Largest Immigration Service and Advocacy

Organization• 5 Welcome Centers• Over 50,000 active members• 15,512 workers placed in jobs in 2013• CASA launched Vocational Training Program in 2006

Why Partner?• Consistent with PGCC and CASA strategic priorities

o Institutional goalso Division specific goals

• Serve increasing immigrant and Latino populationo We are both striving to serve the same population• Strongest working as a team

Types of Programs• Diverse selection

o Skilled Tradeso Child Careo Hospitalityo Security Guard

How We Work Together

• Partnership, not purely a business relationshipo Contractso Grant worko Regular communication

• PGCCo Provides quality instructors and trainingo Can award certificateso Prepare students for licensure examso Commitment to career pathways and innovative

instruction

How We Work Together

• CASAo Markets and recruits studentso Provides location for trainingo Secures materials and supplieso Keep attendance records and collect paymentso Work with other partners and funders to provide

complimentary training and wrap around services

How to approach CBO/College Partnership• Start small• Needs to be mutually beneficial• Strong personal connections• Use data to identify appropriate courses/industries• Address whole needs of the students

o employabilityo job placemento Job retention

Challenges to Address• Limited Resources (funds and people)• Short turn around times to work on ideas (especially grants)• At the college level

o Many people involved across multiple areas: need coordination

Partnership ImpactFY 2012-2013- CASA provided 64 high-quality trainings and classes

to over 988 workers.- 400 graduates through Workforce Development- 180 obtained permanent positions – average wage is

$12.89 per hour.- 78% of Graduates moving out of the lowest defined

state poverty levels and reporting weekly salaries- Overall increase in Latino and immigrant enrollments

at Community College- Provide employers with skilled workers. WPR

evaluation show 94% Employer satisfaction (Excellent)- Retention- 400 returning employers.