by PPL's Executive Director, Steve
Cramer
Good news came over my
radio a few weeks ago. Minnesota is once again outpacing the nation
in job creation, and our unemployment rate is well below the national
average. Reason enough to feel optimistic, but that wasn't my reaction.
I couldn't help but think how this picture is greatly at odds with
what PPL sees at our employment and training sites.
We see hundreds of men and women interested in work, but unable
to find a job, or at least one that offers steady income at a level
above bare subsistence. Our programs - and similar ones run by other
organizations -can make a real difference for people we have resources
to work with. But that's not everyone, and for the rest the overall
strong economy isn't providing opportunity.
Why the disconnect?
Sobering answers can be found in a recent report about Ramsey County'
s experience with hardest to place MFIP families, and PPL' s own
experience operating our training office in the heart of the Phillips
neighborhood.
In Ramsey County, families corning up on the 5 year lifetime "welfare"
limit were offered an intensive set of services designed to stave
off economic disaster. The evaluation of that effort concluded "many
long-term recipients face personal and family challenges that severely
limit their employment prospects". Among the challenges were
low educational attainment and low cognitive ability, untreated
mental illness, physical health limitations and
These are not easy challenges to overcome, although the report noted
proven strategies like supported work programs were effective. Success
was limited, however, by lack of funds for implementation.
The Ramsey County experience certainly tracks with what we often
see at PPL. In addition, at our Chicago and Franklin location it's
becoming clear just how significant the "digital divide"
is in the lives of many people also facing these personal and family
challenges. While this divide has been discussed for years, it was
an abstract concept because most tasks could be performed without
computer and internet access. That time has passed. Today, without
basic technology access and competence applying for a job is virtually
impossible, qualifying for most entry level positions is out of
the question, and trying to keep a household together (e.g., managing
finances, communicating with schools and parks, just staying connected)
is increasingly difficult. Yet at our Community Access Computer
Lab, where we have served hundreds of people since January , most
start at a rudimentary level, learning mouse use, clicks and double
clicks, and keyboarding. For someone just learning to use a mouse,
the digital divide is wide indeed -and growing more cavernous.
I'm not by nature a "doom and gloom" person. It's impossible
to be that way at PPL anyway because of the great passion and commitment
my co- workers bring to their jobs, and many inspiring success stories
we see on a regular basis. But we also have to be real.
One thing that is real about the high performing Minnesota economy
is that it still leaves many people behind. In my mind, understanding
why and creating bridges so even more people can benefit from economic
good times is a widely held community responsibility.
-Steve Cramer |
