Our summer youth job training program will focus on reconnecting Latino youth to their communities. We will partner with two non-profit organizations to expand our job training opportunities. Hands-on training will include:
-Learning how to deliver outstanding customer service, training at two nonprofit retail stores
-Training with small business owners & nonprofits to understand the components & complexities of building a thriving organization
-Training with GA-certified teachers for future teaching roles
This application is focused on the “job training” community need: providing job-readiness training, skills training, placement and retention; employer partnerships offering quality entry- level employment and/or salaries that meet the cost of living; and leveraging other workforce funding that can be used to expand opportunities for residents. Specifically, for job training in digital multi-media services.
Atlanta is the creative hub of the world. Our culture influences everything across the globe. In fiscal year 2018, Georgia’s creative industry generated an economic impact of $12.5 billion, saw the production of 455 feature film and television shows and was responsible for more than 92,000 jobs, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development. With an increase in the number of jobs relating to entertainment, the state of Georgia still suffers from a lack of a well-trained workforce.
With the rapid changes in technologies used for creative services industries, it is critical that our communities have access to the latest training tools, software and hardware. The state of Georgia is now number one in the world in film production with music and gaming closely following. This has created an increase in the number of jobs in the creative services industries, yet the state still suffers from a lack of a well-trained workforce.2018 was dubbed the “Year of Music in Georgia” and our new theme is “Music is Economic Development”. These factors contribute to our need of highly specialized workers.
Our challenge is to ensure that residents of NPU-V and surrounding communities have an understanding of the wealth of opportunities available to them in Georgia’s music, film and digital media industries. Successful, long-term implementation of our programming will bridge the gap so that NPU-V residents have the training and skills needed for success in these and other jobs in Georgia’s Creative Services Industries.In, addition, we hope to educate the community on how to maximize opportunities for residents when productions come to NPU-V and surrounding communities.
As a result of school districts removing comprehensive music education programs from school curriculums, MEG has filled an enormous need by closing the gap in music and arts education. Our programs cover a diverse range of career opportunities within these expanding Georgia industries while advancing the health and well-being of young people.
The signing of HB155 (Georgia Music Investment Act) by Governor Deal in 2017 focused on the creation of 10,000 new music industry jobs over the next 5 years. The Music Education Group has uniquely positioned itself as the leading service provider of music, film and digital media based educational programming for the City of Atlanta’s youth. We have annually, exposed and trained more than 500 young people and 100 adults. This builds a critical bridge to ensure that our young people are actively engaged in their creative community, while they learn about the business side of some of Georgia’s targeted growth industries.
Three years after signing HB 155, these targeted growth industries are still importing a disproportionate number of workers to fill jobs in the creative services industries. This is due to a lack of training opportunities on the local levels and in minority communities. We have multiple projects being filmed in Mechanicsville, Summerhill and Pittsburgh; yet virtually no residents being employed to work on these projects. This is largely due to a lack of skilled workers and a pathway to jobs.
● To expose youth to business concepts, creating first generation entrepreneurs while increasing generational wealth in underrepresented communities.
● Students will explore and broaden their understanding of entrepreneurship, gaining knowledge and understanding of the ethical and social responsibility of business owners.
● Students in a cohort model will establish a live business which provides a solution to a community problem/need.
Kroc Atlanta’s summer camp program will serve up to 60 children with a focus on recreation and arts education. Children will be placed in a tract which will have them focusing on learning the following: theater, dance, tae kwon do, music, team sports such as volleyball, basketball, and soccer. Policies require children to be supervised by two adults at all time. The four (4) youth (ages 16-24) in this job training program will provide support to ensure children’s safety, will participate in activities with them, and will be trained in several competencies to help navigate issues and problems as they arise. Training will include safety and CPR, blood borne pathogens, sexual harassment, and best practices of working with children/mandated reporter.
By pouring into our youth employees and empowering them with job skills and earned certificates, we can help ensure a path in young people that points toward giving back in an industry like education, social work, or non-profit management. The University of Birmingham has shown that children undertaking service-related activities from a young age with strong support networks in place are more likely to develop a habit of lifelong service.