Giving Thanks for a Diverse Country

We are just a week away from Thanksgiving and, as expected, you will be seeing the word “thanks” showing up in stories and social media posts everywhere. It is expected and appropriate. We have a lot to be thankful for – and celebrate -- in this country, including the diversity of the people that live here.

At WorkingNation, our mission is to tell stories about how our country is working together to further strengthen our economy and ensure that everyone has the skills needed – and access to job opportunities – to be a part of that effort.

We report stories that might help you find a pathway to a quality career, one that is right for you, that provides you with economic stability and gives you a sense of dignity and purpose.

There are a lot of thoughtful people and organizations out there that are working hard to make this happen. They are a part of that storytelling too.

Diverse Stories for a Diverse Nation

Everyone’s pathway is different. College. Certifications. Apprenticeships. Learning on the job. It could be one of these, or a combination of them. Again, everyone’s pathway is different.

As part of our mission, we look at diverse groups of people, examining the unique barriers that they might be facing when it comes to achieving their career goal. We tell stories about the people who are being impacted and, very importantly, we shine light on programs and initiatives that are addressing those challenges and opening doors to economic equity.

We look at diverse industries. Employers are telling us that they can’t find enough skilled workers in a number of vital industries. From health care to manufacturing to cybersecurity, there is an unmet demand for workers. Industry leaders, education institutions, nonprofits, philanthropies, and local governments are banding together to create training programs to solve this labor shortage.

We also look at diverse parts of the country. Local communities all have different challenges. So, the education-to-career pathways that work in urban areas might not be working in rural areas. What’s working in one rural town might not work in another. The same for urban and suburban towns.

All jobs are local. That’s why there are so many stories to tell.

Here are some of our most recent ones.

Between Tradition and Transition

Our new WorkingNation film shares the stories of Latino immigrants and their descendants in Chicago, focusing on the economic challenges and opportunities faced by these resilient communities. The film highlights the vital contributions of immigrant families to the city’s manufacturing and industrial growth, and it looks at some of the systemic barriers that remain in place.

• Watch Between Tradition and Transition here.

The Manufacturing Comeback

A recent surge of manufacturing construction is being fueled by the infusion of federal and private funding. It’s creating jobs. But manufacturers say they are already having trouble filling those jobs, so they are looking at innovative ways to recruit, retrain, and retain as many as 3.8 million jobs over the next eight years. In this three-part Work in Progress podcast series, I speak with large and small employers in manufacturing-heavy communities about how they are tackling this labor shortage, including efforts to recruit older workers.

• Listen to The Manufacturing Comeback here.

Focus On…

Every month we take you to a different city or town to look at what industries are driving job growth locally. The articles take a deep dive into how employers are sourcing talent and how they are making certain that job and training opportunities are available to everyone in the community. We also talk to the mayor of that city or town, hearing directly from them on those efforts.

• Read our Focus On… series here.

Veterans and the Military-Connected Community

All year-round, we celebrate the efforts to help veterans and military spouses find meaningful work in civilian jobs. In November, we highlight all storytelling – articles, videos, and podcasts. This month is no exception.

• Read, watch, and listen to our coverage here.

Career Pathways for Native Americans

More than nine million people in the United States identify solely as American Indian or Native Alaskan, or in combination with other races. While Native Americans make up just 2.9% of the population, their unemployment rates are traditionally higher than national averages. Additionally, labor force participation among Native Americans also has historically lagged the national average. There are programs in several states that are working to change that trajectory, including the first tribally-associated medical school.

• Read the story here.

Giving Thanks for Our Partners

WorkingNation is a nonprofit storytelling organization. We are solutions-driven journalists and filmmakers.

We identify the barriers to economic mobility and then actively seek out the education, business, civic, and nonprofit leaders and groups that are making progress in knocking down those barriers.

In order to tell those stories, we rely on the support of our partners. Through their funding, they give us the editorial freedom to tell these important stories. We are extremely grateful for that support.

Thank you.

Giving Thanks to My Colleagues

We cover hundreds of work force development and education programs, initiatives, conferences, communities, and people each year.

I like to say WorkingNation is somewhat small but very mighty.

I am thankful to be working with such a talented, dedicated, and caring diverse group of colleagues.

Thank you for all your hard work.

Until next time,

Ramona Schindelheim, WorkingNation editor-in-chief