Back to Basics

Institute Del Progreso Latino

I was talking to a colleague yesterday who was concerned that our field, the field of how to best support teens and young adults make the transition to adulthood, had several weak points in it. First, she was concerned that there is a greying of the leadership. Many of our leaders of our organizations are spending as much time thinking about their legacy or retirement as they are what needs to happen in the field. The other is that the new young leaders don't know have enough expertise in techniques for engaging the workforce.  They weren't around for the "school-to-work" days and much of the techniques on career pathways and job-related competencies were developed decades ago.

I have to do some thinking about the former. As for the later, it might be great if young leaders haven't been raised on the older techniques and are re-thinking and developing their own techniques. At the same time, it might also be a good thing for young leaders to at least have the basics under their belt. Certainly, Picasso didn't get to the point of his brilliance until he had mastered the techniques that came before.

All this said, you might want to pass along to young leaders that the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) and the National Network of Sector Partners (NNSP) are holding a webinar on Sector Strategies and Career Pathways on Thursday, January 23 from  2:00 - 3:30 PM Eastern.  You'll hear bout the Instituto Del Progreso Latino's initiatives. 

With young people still terribly marginalized in the job market, I think we need to use every tool there is to help them get access to income, experience, and the relationships that form the best door way to careers. You can  register here.