NYCHA Employees Participated in Business Engagement Learning Lab

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year, when unemployment was at record highs and many employers were operating primarily on a remote platform, Workforce Professionals Training Institute (WPTI) launched its 2021 cohort of the Business Engagement Learning Lab (BELL) development series, which focused on the theme of “Refining Employer Marketing & Outreach.” This year’s cohort was composed of 33 professionals from 11 organizations, including three employees from NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability (REES).

REES works closely with contractors and premier development partners to help them identify and connect NYCHA residents to economic opportunities generated by their contracts or projects. REES provides support in reviewing and finalizing employer hiring plans and overseeing outreach, recruitment, and referrals of qualified residents to available opportunities.

During the BELL’s four-session trainings from May to August 2021, REES staff Lennox Semple, Jonathan McClelland, and Laura DiLella learned strategies to enhance employer partnerships and build a solid network of workforce professionals that can be leveraged to help NYCHA residents develop their skills in a rapidly changing and digital market (during and post COVID).

For Jonathan McClelland, a Project Manager in REES who works closely with NYCHA contractors and development teams, the workshops were helpful to understand the cultural divide, specifics of the corporate hiring process, and business language differences.

“It was important to understand how the job market has changed after the onset of COVID-19 and how the companies think before hiring NYCHA residents,” noted Mr. McClelland.

Each session also incorporated guest panels and presentations from business intermediaries, employers, for-profit staffing agencies, high-performing nonprofits, labor economists, and more.

REES employees mentioned that among their biggest takeaways from the BELL training are their expanded network of service providers and improved communication and marketing skills.

Laura DiLella, a REES Supervisor, said that BELL’s workshop and coaching sessions helped her to get a better understanding of modern networking.

“In my daily work, I oversee the economic opportunities of contractors in the Job Generation unit. BELL workshop taught us a lot about effective community engagement and partnerships in a post-pandemic world,” explained Ms. DiLella.

Lenese Vergara, Assistant Director of Job Generation at REES, thinks that BELL training helped REES employees better understand how to work with employers and how to find talent for them among NYCHA residents.

“It is important for staff to continue building their professional networks as well as learn emerging trends and best practices for engaging employers, customers, and other stakeholders,” said Ms. Vergara. “The WPTI BELL training offers workforce development professionals an opportunity to learn key engagement strategies, develop their communication skills, and create better partnerships with employers. I am thankful for this opportunity and proud of the REES staff who applied and were selected for participation.”