Racial Equity: An Economic and Moral Imperative
The Michigan Works! Association board, staff, members, and community grieve with our nation over the senseless death of George Floyd. Mr. Floyd is one of the latest in a long line of Black deaths at the hands of police officers. Michigan Works! stands with the Black community in condemning deep-rooted, systemic violence, and police brutality against our Black community members.
The ongoing protests and calls for action against systemic racism have employers reviewing how their organizations may be perpetuating inequity on a variety of levels.
Equitable learning is one way to ensure people of color have fair access to employment opportunities, including “middle skill” jobs which require education beyond high school, but not necessarily a four-year degree. These “middle skill” jobs comprise more than half of the U.S. labor market, according to a 2019 report by the nonprofit National Skills Coalition (NSC) entitled “The Roadmap for Racial Equity.”
Educational disparities limit individuals’ access to these opportunities. The NSC’s report showed that 27 percent of U.S.-born Black individuals and 28 percent of U.S.-born Latino individuals have earned an associate degree or higher, compared to 45 percent of U.S.-born white individuals and 64 percent of U.S.-born individuals of Asian and Pacific Island descent. Compared to other racial groups, Blacks are also more likely to report certificates as their highest level of educational achievement. Additionally, Blacks earn lower wages across all educational attainment levels, including apprenticeships, certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees, according to the NSC report.
Diversity in the workforce is a key driver of America’s economic growth. By 2030, people of color will make up more than half of the national workforce and by 2044, most U.S. residents will be people of color. In order to correct racial disparities in educational attainment, employment, and income, we must act now to adjust workforce policies and create new ones.
According to the NSC’s report, states and local communities need to do the following things to advance racial equity through workforce policies:
Adopt racial equity goals and develop plans and systems to support them.
Invest in infrastructure, technical assistance, and guidance to support local practices that advance racial equity.
Remove barriers to correctional education and training connected to re-entry.
Use sector partnerships to advance racial equity.
Employ apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs to advance racial equity.
Endorse racially equitable post-secondary policy by expanding career pathways and stackable credentials of value, job-driven and need-based financial aid, and tuition equity for immigrants.
Implement upskilling policies for adults with foundational skills gaps.
Invest in support services for education and training participants.
Remove work requirements and education and training restrictions from public assistance programs.
So much of the country’s current civil unrest is tied to economic inequity. We in the workforce development industry know this at our core and are working tirelessly to increase the visibility of these issues as they relate to work, careers, and education to achieve equity in the workplace for all.
As the economy begins to recover from the Coronavirus crisis, Michigan Works! is working to get Michigan residents trained, reskilled and back to work as quickly as possible. We recognize these are difficult and traumatic times for everyone, but particularly for our Black community members. As we navigate these challenges, we stand in solidarity with our community members in creating space for grief and change.
I see hope for our future in the youth we are educating on these issues today and I am extremely proud to represent Michigan Works! and the work they do to help everyone, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
We stand with you because Black Lives Matter and because it will take all of us to make the change that is needed.
Luann Dunsford, CEO, Michigan Works! Association