Excelencia’s Policy Agenda: Work Preparation

Overview

Excelencia in Education’s mission is to accelerate Latino student success in higher education—which would increase the number of Latinos entering the workforce with a postsecondary degree. Latinos’ labor force participation over the next decade is expected to increase. Yet, Latinos are overrepresented in the workforce in jobs that are essential, vulnerable, and lower in pay. As their representation in the country grows, policymakers must ensure Latinos are prepared to enter and succeed as civic leaders in a competitive workforce.

How can federal and state policy support Latinos’ workforce preparation?

Latinos are overrepresented in the workforce in jobs that are vulnerable and lower in pay. The following recommendations support Latino students’ successful transition to the workforce:

• Leverage existing federal programs, such as Federal Work-Study, to support experiential learning opportunities for students.

• Make workforce development an allowable activity for Title V grants to support institutions in creating workforce programs.

• Incentivize engagement between employers and the institutions serving Latino students.