The National League of Cities, joined by national experts, recently presented a webinar, “Understanding and Investing in Today’s Youth-Serving Workforce,” addressing current concerns related to the youth-serving workforce. The webinar focused on the roles city leaders can play in supporting this crucial sector, even when the city does not directly employ youth-serving, afterschool or Out of School Time (OST) staff.
The American Institutes for Research shared initial findings from their Power of Us survey, which gathered data on the afterschool workforce to help inform policy, practice and further research to better support the workforce and ultimately improve job quality in the field.
The Afterschool Alliance shared their Afterschool and Summer Workforce Solutions Database, a sortable tool detailing various afterschool workforce recruitment and retention strategies in use across the country.
The City of Madison, WI provided examples of how the mayor’s office plays a role in supporting their OST workforce and hosted a panel of the city’s Afterschool Fellows to discuss their experiences and advice for city leaders.
And the National AfterSchool Association, the professional membership organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for professionals working with youth during out-of-school time, spoke about NAA’s Job Quality Standards and Thriving Out-of-School Time (OST) Workforce Initiative.
View the webinar recording here.
Addressing Workforce Challenges in Out-of-School Time Programs: An Interview with the National AfterSchool Association
Recently, the National AfterSchool Association (NAA) released the Out-of-School Time Job Quality Standards, a groundbreaking step forward in the association’s Thriving OST Workforce Initiative. Along with the corresponding Usage Guide & Assessment, the Standards ground the “good jobs” conversation in the available empirical evidence demonstrating how job quality relates to worker outcomes and outline effective practices that support workforce development — including recruitment and retention — and workforce stability by promoting high-quality, equitable jobs. NLC interviewed NAA CEO Gina Warner to learn more about NAA’s work in this area.
What are the major challenges facing the OST workforce?
GW: The out-of-school time workforce faces multiple challenges, including recruitment, retention, career advancement, and workforce instability. Historically, OST positions have been characterized by part-time hours, low wages, limited benefits and unclear professional pathways. These factors make it difficult to attract and retain skilled and committed individuals for the long term.
Why should city leaders care about job quality issues?
GW: It is critical for city leaders to care about job quality issues in the OST workforce because they directly impact the number and quality of programs and services provided to youth in their communities. Skilled and committed professionals are essential for delivering high-quality OST programs that contribute to positive youth outcomes. By prioritizing job quality, city leaders can ensure that their communities have a stable and well-supported OST workforce, leading to improved program access, quality and outcomes for youth.
How can city leaders use these standards to improve job quality for youth workers?
GW: City leaders can use the OST Job Quality Standards as a valuable resource to guide their efforts in improving job quality for youth workers. They can incorporate these standards into their policies, practices and funding decisions related to OST programs. By aligning their initiatives with the standards, city leaders can promote fair wages, benefits, career advancement opportunities, workplace inclusion and worker engagement in the OST workforce. They can also collaborate with OST employers, human resources professionals, and leaders to implement the standards and advocate for policy changes that prioritize high-quality, equitable jobs for youth workers. By doing so, city leaders can contribute to the development of a thriving OST workforce that supports the well-being and success of youth in their communities.
Learn more about NAA’s Job Quality Standards and how city leaders can use them to support OST programs here.
And to learn about using federal funding to support afterschool and summer programs, review the Wallace Foundation’s “Building, Sustaining, and Improving Guide: Using Federal Funds for Summer and Afterschool.”
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