By: Carlos Graupera, President & CEO of Tec Centro Workforce Network
Nearly 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses are making a significant impact on the U.S. economy, contributing over $800 billion annually, according to recent data from the National Urban League and Unidos U.S. These businesses also play a crucial role in providing employment opportunities, with approximately 3 million workers employed by Hispanic-owned enterprises.
The remarkable growth and success of Hispanic-owned businesses highlight the importance of accessible and affordable workforce training. According to Citigroup, the impact of systemic barriers in Black and Hispanic communities has resulted in losses of over $16 trillion in the U.S. economy over the last 20 years due to income disparities and wage gaps. By investing in regional workforce training programs, we can address the challenges of poverty, unemployment, and underemployment that persist in our communities.
With September as the intersection of both Workforce Development Month and Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15), this is a great reminder to recognize the critical need for creating more opportunities for skilled training, especially in Pennsylvania’s third-class cities, which have a high percentage of Hispanic residents.
In Pennsylvania, 11.9% of Hispanics are unemployed. And those numbers are even higher in counties with third-class cities. Compare this to the 5.4% unemployment rate for whites. The problem is amplified by the fact that 28.35% of Hispanics in Pennsylvania don’t have a high school diploma, making it even more difficult to obtain family-sustaining jobs that offer livable wages and related benefits.
The Tec Centro Workforce Network is making strides in addressing this issue head-on. Founded in 2023, it already has established locations in Berks, Lancaster (home to two centers), Lebanon, and York Counties, with another soon to be added to Dauphin. Each of the six locations is a self-governed 501(c)3 organization with its own local board.
The Tec Centro model provides no tuition cost, bilingual adult basic education, and occupational training in careers that are in high demand in their local communities. These career opportunities are full-time employment that provides family-sustaining wages and benefits. The adult learner on average pays about $100 for their program while the true cost, often in the thousands of dollars, is underwritten by the center through a combination of charitable dollars, government grants and support, Neighborhood Assistance program, and philanthropy.
Most importantly, Tec Centro’s doors are open to everyone regardless of race, education, income, or any other factor. The demographics of people served vary from location to location but primarily include diverse cultures, bilingual and non-English speakers who are commonly unemployed or underemployed and living at or below the poverty line.
Tec Centro is critical to helping local employers meet their workforce demands, which helps to sustain their businesses and contributes productively to the economic vitality of the region. And while locations are ramping up their programs as fast as possible, the waitlist far outpaces our ability to meet demand. Across all locations, there are over 2,200 individuals currently on our waitlist and more than $8M is needed to fund this waitlist.
As we recognize both National Workforce Development Month and Hispanic Heritage Month, I urge our communities, leaders, and lawmakers to recognize the strong connection between the two. Diversity must be appreciated, celebrated, and elevated, and this includes our growing Hispanic population. Similarly, we must recognize the growing need for adequate and accessible workforce training to provide our multicultural and marginalized communities with greater opportunities for living-wage employment. The two go hand-in-hand. A strong, healthy community comes from a strong, healthy workforce, and vice versa.
The Tec Centro Workforce Network has created a valuable blueprint for how communities can effectively come together to support a skilled workforce. However, growing this movement within our existing locations and into additional cities and states will require a collaborative effort of public and private partnerships and funding.
Whether you are a business owner, community leader, elected official, or someone who stands to benefit from workforce training services, you have the power to be an advocate. Make your voice heard, share your ideas, and be an active part of finding more solutions for workforce training in our Commonwealth. The future of our community and economy depends on it!
Photo Courtesy: Carlos Graupera
Carlos Graupera is the President & CEO of Tec Centro Workforce Network. The collective goal of the Network is to serve disproportionately disadvantaged populations in third-class cities that have a heavy concentration of residents who face barriers related to bilingual education, skills training, and job placement. By working to proactively address these barriers, the Network provides the tools and opportunity for a way out of poverty. Learn more by visiting: https://teccentroregionalnetwork.com.
Published by: Holy Minoza
