Enhanced Workforce Development Program
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Innovation Synopsis
Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) partnered with a corporate philanthropic leader and local career support specialists to offer targeted and consistent workforce development services to communities in need. CML expanded this enhanced workforce development model to four locations in 2022.
Challenge/Opportunity
When faced with barriers due to educational attainment, transportation, or the digital inclusion divide customers have a disadvantage even in a strong jobs economy and with explosive regional growth. By identifying challenges and providing opportunities to help, the library supports the community in reaching its full potential. In 2022, CML worked with its program partners to expand an enhanced workforce development program to locations in the urban core on the southside, westside and near east side of Columbus.
Key Elements of Innovation
At four locations, CML offers
- Weekly one-on-one job and career coaching from a Career Consultant
- Weekly technology training classes on topics such as mobile phones and tablets, basic digital skills and technology for jobseekers.
- Virtual job help during library business hours provided by trained library staff
- Access to JobNow, by Brainfuse, providing live online job help into late evening hours
Additionally, CML planned a Job and Resource Fair at Main Library in September 2022, which served 700 customers
Achieved Outcomes
In 2022, CML assisted nearly 2,000 customers with in-person and virtual workforce services and saw an additional 8,300 uses of JobNow online. Based on voluntarily reported data, 88 customers secured new jobs as a result of the enhanced workforce development program. Customers also shared their stories of success, including a young mother who was able to reenter the workforce after serving prison time and an Afghan refugee who found work in the medical field to match his educational level.
