Unisource Solutions, the company I co-founded in 1987, is committed to enabling our customers and employees to thrive in the evolving workforce requirements today and in the future. That’s why we provide office solutions that allow employees to be fully engaged, no matter what challenges they face throughout the day.
But we also recognize that the workplace of the future extends far beyond the physical spaces that companies provide. At its core, a workplace is made up of people and getting the right skills in the right place is essential to business growth and a healthy economy.
I joined the Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future Committee to help ensure that local companies, as well as California’s largest employers, are able to dip into our community and state’s rich talent pool and find the right people for the jobs they need to fill.
The mission of the Workforce of the Future initiative is to close the gap between employer workforce needs and the skills that job applicants possess. The program works with local employers to uncover the most in-demand skills and create opportunities to help the local workforce to develop these skills. There are two core areas of focus: Underserved communities where better job opportunities will have the biggest positive impact; and increasing diversity.
In 2018 alone, the program was able to impact the career trajectories of more than 2,000 individuals through its Occupational Councils and Inclusive Economy programs, including community college students, youth of color, veterans, immigrants, and refugees. By reaching out to and engaging with the community, we are able to meet the objectives of both the employers and the individuals.
For instance, diversity is a key HR strategy in many companies, with study after study showing that more diverse companies perform better. The Workforce of the Future initiative will help businesses to make strategic hiring choices.
In the coming months, I’ll be working with BAC on a number of exciting programs, including internship opportunities at participating companies, and relationship development between local business and the community.
Unisource Solutions is committed to being a positive and productive force in our community and we want to do what we can to support local employees and employers. Investing in the Workforce of the Future with our time and resources will go a long way to ensuring a sustainable workforce and better opportunities for all.
Look for more details on our participation in the coming months.
