Next Generation Sector Partnerships

Why Sector Partnerships in Broadband?

In addressing the current employment landscape, businesses must create quality jobs that are accessible through proper education and training. However, challenges persist as local efforts are often fragmented and public programs may not align with industry needs, causing uncertainty for students. The solution lies in Next Gen Sector Partnerships that coordinate workforce development, education, and economic efforts through sustainable, industry-led collaborations. These partnerships are vital for building a robust talent pipeline, ensuring long-term competitiveness, and aligning educational curricula with industry demands. Unlike traditional approaches, these partnerships are prioritized by business leaders, not grants, focusing on comprehensive workforce needs, including infrastructure and technology, with business leaders driving action teams supported by public partners.

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Broadband Sector Partnership in Oklahoma

Chisholm Broadband, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Oklahoma, faced a significant challenge as it sought to expand its workforce by 55 technicians to support rural expansion initiatives across multiple cities, including Enid, Elk City, Colgate, and Woodward. This expansion required a strategic and efficient approach to workforce development, given the need to rapidly fill positions with qualified candidates and ensure they received comprehensive, industry-standard training.

The purpose of this case study is to highlight the collaborative efforts of three key organizations—Learning Alliance Corporation, Northwest Technology Center, and Rent a Recruiter—that formed a sector partnership to support Chisholm Broadband in achieving its workforce goals. This case study exemplifies the sectoral partnership model, demonstrating how such collaborations can effectively meet the needs of employers while fostering workforce development.

Chisholm Broadband’s need for rapid workforce expansion required innovative solutions to overcome several challenges, including sourcing and hiring a large number of qualified candidates within a short timeframe, providing consistent and high-quality training, and managing recruitment processes efficiently

Chisholm Broadband Case Study
Students employed at Chisholm Broadband learning how to use their climbing and fall arrest gear.

Broadband Sector Partnership Data Results

“Rent a Recruiter was able to help us facilitate a large hiring project without overwhelming our current staff. Applicants received prompt responses allowing us to capture a higher number of qualified candidates. Additionally, Rent a Recruiter was able to help us receive more applications than we have ever had for past hirings, then screen candidates based on criteria we defined and score them so that we were able to quickly get an interview with the best possible candidates,” said Isaac Harris, Vice President of Chisholm Broadband.

The results of the 3 week partnership initiative include:

  • Generating 890 applicants over a 2 week period
  • Vetting all 890 applicants across 7 locations, providing a multiple phone calls to each applicant and grading each applicant based on the criteria of Chisholm Broadband
  • Out of the vetted applicants, 51 interviews were scheduled
  • Out of the 51 interviews, 11 people were hired, a 22% hire ratio
  • 7 additional hires from internal efforts
  • There was a 32% no call, no show rate which we converted some of those no call, no shows to virtual interviews and saved some of the opportunities – some areas were rural and communication was sometimes difficult with the candidates
  • 18 individuals trained, certified and enrolled into an apprenticeship program
Chisholm Broadband ISP training on tower.
“What Rent a Recruiter and LAC did in 2-weeks would have taken us 6-months to accomplish,” Isaac Harris, Vice President of Chisholm Broadband stated to State Representatives and the NWTC.

Free Online Course on Broadband Sector Partnerships

Discover how Next Generation Sector Partnerships are revolutionizing career pathways by aligning education and training with the demands of the labor market.

Ready to bridge the gap between education and employment? Start building your sector partnerships today. Click on the button below to fill out the form and choose which course you’d like a free trial of. Forge a career pathway system that meets industry needs and provides clear, attainable career opportunities. Watch now to learn more and take the first step towards your future!

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Broadband Sector Partnership Course Modules

Module 1: The Step-by-Step Process of Building Next Gen Sector Partnerships

  • Definitions and Core Principles: Partnerships involve companies from the same industry collaborating with educational, workforce, and economic development organizations.
  • Key Elements: Industry-driven agendas with business leaders setting priorities, supported by community partners.
  • Support Team: Core partners and conveners play crucial roles, supported by a broad network.
  • Role of Conveners: Neutral third-parties coordinating meetings, recruiting partners, and maintaining focus.
  • Focus Areas: Workforce development and economic development issues prioritized by business leaders.

Module 2: Coordinating Business Services and Outreach

  • Operational Metrics: Participation rates, meeting frequency, and resource allocation.
  • Outcome Metrics: Skill alignment, job placement rates, and credential achievement.
  • Impact Metrics: Economic growth, wage increases, and innovation productivity.
  • Utilizing Metrics: Data collection, feedback integration, and regular reporting for strategic improvement.

Module 3: Serving Jobseekers and Students

  • Navigating System Complexity: Importance of open communication and connected services across educational institutions.
  • Sector Partnerships as Catalysts: Facilitate collaboration between education providers and industry leaders to align programs with market needs.
  • System Evaluation and Adaptation: Regular assessment to ensure relevance and flexibility in educational systems.
  • Strategic Actions: Enhanced industry input and integrated educational efforts.

Module 4: Effective Management of Career Pathway Systems

  • Lifecycle/Biorhythm: Understanding the phases of partnership development from building support teams to sustaining and evolving partnerships.
  • Group Dynamics: Emphasis on effective collaboration between public and private partners.
  • Step-by-Step Process: Formulating regional support teams and defining roles and responsibilities for successful partnerships.

Module 5: Success Metrics of Next Gen Sector Partnerships

  • Purpose of Success Metrics: Objective assessment and continuous improvement of partnerships.
  • Key Metrics: Engagement levels, program outcomes, and economic impact.
  • Tools for Measurement: Performance dashboards, feedback systems, and impact analysis reports.
  • Strategic Actions: Data-driven strategies and regular stakeholder communication for transparency and support.

Module 6: State Roles and Responsibilities for Next Gen Success

  • State Involvement: Facilitation, support, and alignment with state economic strategies.
  • Key Responsibilities: Policy development, funding and resources, capacity building, and data support.
  • Strategic Actions: Promoting cross-sector collaboration, monitoring, and evaluation.
  • Tools for State Support: Guidance documents and grant programs to support local sector partnerships.

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