Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

PROJECT PURPOSE

The project purpose is to launch and expand existing workforce development programs and related resources to help unemployed and underemployed job training participants obtain or improve employment opportunities and have the skills to excel in them. These job training programs would also include production for vital feeding activities to provide critical economic impact and opportunities for self-sufficiency. Offering job training in 5 key areas will enhance job placement opportunities for more than 300 people per year, offering access to sustainable livable wages while generating additional food throughput and assistance opportunities for thousands more through Regional Food Bank programs and pantries. We have 5 unique areas to provide job training programs and create pipelines of work-ready graduates into the state, each will require some form of physical expansion to launch or optimize for full impact: Culinary Training through Hope?s Kitchen, Food Manufacturing Training at the Protein Packaging Center (PPC), Warehouse Training, CDL Class A Driver Training and Diesel Mechanic Training.

EVIDENCE

Current labor shortages are preventing our community businesses from maintaining effective staffing, and this effort will provide a pipeline of potential employees to local restaurants, food manufacturing plants, warehouses, mechanic shops and transportation services. Oklahoma has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country, and recent criminal justice reforms lead to a higher number of former inmates that would benefit from job training. Studies show a reduction in recidivism of up to 22%, a 52% increase in employment at 12 months and a $3.30 taxpayer benefit for every dollar spent on job training programs.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

A large, targeted population would be people soon to be or recently released from incarceration as well as those in drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs. By providing new knowledge, opportunities and paths to new and improved lives, our job training programs would not only place more people into long-term employment and gain self-sufficiency but also positively impact prison re-entry rates among that population. Another target would be those who are currently underemployed. Underemployment often leads to food insecurity and by providing training and new employment opportunities we will make a positive impact on both of those negative characteristics that are prevalent in our state. Working with additional partners, potential future targeted populations could include homeless as well as veterans.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

In collaboration with our partnerships, we will be tracking several outcomes-related metrics to ensure our programs are both providing meaningful training and experiences as well as meeting our goals of leading participants to become self-sufficient: ? Graduation rates ? % of graduates placed in employment ? Length of time between graduation and start date ? Length of time maintaining employment ? Salary ranges upon employment This data will be collected on a regular frequency via the use of questionnaires and, as needed, direct communication with graduates.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma