NEW YORK, March 19, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
North America's largest freight
railroad is investing in the infrastructure of the American
workforce with a program that connects underemployed people to the
education, training and good-paying jobs they need to raise their
standards of living.
Omaha-based Union Pacific
announced a first-time grant of $3
million to the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
to expand Financial Opportunity Centers, a national model that
helps people build their skills, grow their incomes and improve
their credit—all as part of a bundled approach to economic
opportunity.
Union Pacific is focusing on four cities. In Chicago, Houston, Kansas
City, and Tacoma, Wash.,
its grant will help extend the reach of FOCs so they can provide a
broader range of workforce development services to more
clients.
"Our corporate vision is 'Building America', and we are talking
about much more than the 32,000 miles of Union Pacific tracks that
crisscross the country," said Scott
Moore, Union Pacific senior vice president, corporate
relations and chief administration officer. "Like the opportunities
we offer at Union Pacific, we know there are good jobs out there;
we want to make sure people can acquire the training they need to
take advantage of them so they can build a stronger future."
The grant to LISC is part of a new Union Pacific effort called
Building Tomorrow's Workforce. It is one pillar of the
company's $20 million philanthropic
commitment to under-resourced communities, which includes
initiatives focused on helping communities prevent and prepare for
accidents and emergencies, and build vibrant community space, in
addition to job skills development.
Union Pacific expects to hire some FOC graduates for trades
positions like diesel electricians and mechanics, as well as for
train crews—all jobs that pay family-sustaining wages. But Moore
said Union Pacific is seeking impact that goes well beyond its
day-to-day business.
"Union Pacific is investing in American workers and an economic
future based on quality jobs," explained Maurice Jones, LISC president and CEO. As an
example, Jones pointed to FOC clients who with comprehensive
coaching and an investment in basic reading and math skills can
compete for employment in growth industries that require a high
school degree, certifications or apprenticeships.
"Every community in America has great and promising
talent. These folks might be working multiple jobs to try to
make ends meet. If they have the chance to build their talent and
get on a career path, they can move into life-transforming
opportunities. They earn more, and businesses get the workers they
need to prosper. That's good for the whole country."
Outcomes data from more than 80 FOC sites across the country
indicate how and why the program helps more than 20,000 people a
year improve their financial stability and move into industries
that are hungry for qualified workers, including health care,
technology and building trades.
In Houston, for example, a
young man named "Abel" had a background in construction work, but
not the requisite certification to move beyond low-wage positions.
He couldn't afford the tuition for education and training programs
that would open new opportunities, and his financial outlook was
suffering, as mounting debt threatened his future.
That all changed with a visit to a local office of SER Jobs for
Progress, which operates an FOC program. He was accepted into a
training program focused on welding and was eventually hired as a
welder's assistant at $14/hour—more
than he had been making. He continued his training and passed a
certification test a few months later that helped him earn a raise
to $18/hour. Even after a company
lay-off that dented his progress, he worked with coaches to build
his skills further and evaluate new opportunities, finding a
higher-level welding job at $20/hour,
where he works today.
In addition to supporting his employment efforts, his coaches
also worked with him on financial challenges, helping him, over
time, to build up his credit score, buy a car and start saving for
the future—with the long-term goal of being able to buy a home.
Jones stressed that this kind of long-term relationship between
coaches and clients is a core piece of the FOC program, and a key
to the success for thousands of people.
"Union Pacific wants to help bridge the gap, providing growth
opportunities," said Moore. "A better trained American workforce is
in the best interest of our company, our communities and our
country."
Current job opportunities are available at UP.jobs/LISC.
About LISC
With residents and partners, LISC
forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across
America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise
families. Since 1980, LISC has invested $19.3 billion to build
or rehab 376,000 affordable homes and apartments and develop
63 million square feet of retail, community and educational space.
For more,
visit www.lisc.org.
About Union Pacific
Union Pacific
Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific
Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized
companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western
two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the
global supply chain. From 2008-2017, Union Pacific invested
approximately $34 billion in its
network and operations to support America's transportation
infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business mix is
classified into its Agricultural Products, Energy, and Industrial
and Premium business groups. Union Pacific serves many of the
fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major
West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with
Canada's rail systems and is the
only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value
to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe,
reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible
manner.
Contacts:
Kristen South, Union
Pacific
402-544-3435 or
kmsouth@up.com
Colleen Mulcahy, for
LISC
312-342-8244 or
colleen@mulcahycommunications.com
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SOURCE Local Initiatives Support Corporation