Preparing for the Future of Work

Helping the workforce field get Californians back to work.

Workforce Leadership Network

CivicsRUs California’s Workforce Leadership Network aims to develop a resilient network of leaders who can communicate effectively across organizations, seize opportunities for bold action and collaborations, and foster relationships and mutual understanding among varied stakeholders.

The Workforce Leadership Network (WLN) is a part-time, four-month leadership development program for workforce development leaders, change-makers, and thought-leaders across the field. Participants will preferably have 5 years of experience, and be interested in both individual leadership development and in innovating workforce development to more equitably increase positive outcomes for job seekers and precariously employed people.

The virtual program will span seven full-day sessions beginning in mid-October and ending in mid-January, with asynchronous individual and small group work conducted between sessions. Sessions will meld CivicsRUs signature experiential civic leadership development training with human-centered design thinking, facilitated by experienced CivicsRUs leadership trainers and by the U.S. Department of Labor Regional Administrator.

Application

Applications are now closed. Fill out our interest form to be notified when we’re recruiting for future cohorts.
Interest Form

Questions & Contact

Mary Hickman
info@civicsrus.org

Other Programs

See CivicsRUs Other Programs

What You’ll Experience

The Workforce Leadership Network will support participants in choosing bold action in service of:

• Improved systems thinking to support accelerated professional growth, employment opportunities, and economic mobility for job seekers.
• Creating increased opportunities for jobs in which employees can support themselves and their families, have access to benefits, and are provided safe working conditions.

The model includes:
• Two Regional Cohorts for Focused Learning: one in Northern California and one in Southern California (comprised of 20-24 people each).
• Learning Sessions: Build leadership skills in a team setting with a focus on creating a shared understanding about exercising leadership within organizations, among people, and across systems. Learning topics include: adaptive vs. technical leadership, collaborative decision making, stakeholder mapping, mutual gains negotiations, leveraging individual and team strengths, and more.
• Leader Interviews: Participants interview workforce leaders and elected officials to establish relationships and understanding.
• Leader Interviews: Participants interview workforce leaders and elected officials to establish relationships and understanding.
• Group Project: At the end of the program, participants will identify a challenge within the workforce field and propose, design, and test a solution for moving forward within organizations and across the network.

Outcomes

Participation in WLN will have both immediate and long-term benefits for participants, the participants’ organizations, and the communities the participants serve. Civics programs bring together a unique learning experience that drives:

Leadership Development
Civics firmly believes that successful and impactful leaders lead with effective inquiry and self-awareness. The WLN empowers participants to make concrete observations and discoveries to diagnose challenges and opportunities, enabling them to recognize the power of feedback.

Systems Thinking
Pairing Civics skills, frameworks, and tools with human-centered design thinking allows WLN to leverage two powerfully complementary leadership concepts to enable participants the ability to effectively analyze complex systems and complex problems, and to engage and communicate openly and honestly with the wide array of stakeholders.
Solutions-Oriented Project Development
WLN’s small team project will enhance project development, management, and implementation skills, and will allow participants to engage in real change-making.

Who Should Apply

Leadership is a practice; ideal candidates do not need to have a specific title or position to apply. Moreover, WLN is meant for all sectors and industries advancing workforce development.
Ideal WLN candidates:
• Work, live, and serve communities in Los Angeles County or the Greater Oakland Area.
• Have preferably five years of professional experience in the workforce development arena.
• Exhibit a demonstrated understanding of current workforce development services and products.
• Think critically about the challenges (and opportunities) facing workforce development.
• Communicate effectively with other stakeholders in and outside of the field.
• Hold an interest in innovating workforce development.
• Represent the broad and expansive backgrounds found in the communities they serve.
• Have the support they need from their organizations to fully commit to participating.

Cost

There is no cost to participants. This pilot program is supported by a grant from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.

Program Partners

Civics Northern California
Civics Southern California
JPMorgan Chase Foundation