In 2012, the United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County embarked on a campaign to improve literacy skills in the region, while the Santa Maria-based nonprofit EconAlliance was working on a workforce development program. After noticing how connected the two issues are, the organizations combined their efforts to create the Workforce and Literacy Initiative (WALI).
“People used to be able to obtain higher [job] positions without reading skills,” said Vicki Conner, EconAlliance initiatives director and WALI co-lead. “But the level of reading is actually increasing in all but the very most entry-level career positions. It is a basic foundation that you need for most careers.”
The organization held its spring forum at the Santa Maria Inn on April 23, where a panel of representatives from seven different business industries—including agriculture and manufacturing—answered questions about the types of entry-level jobs available and the types of education and skills needed for those jobs.
According WALI, when the organization was formed in 2013, more than 60 percent of students entering Allan Hancock College read below a high-school level, while, on average 46 percent of fourth through 11th graders in northern Santa Barbara County tested as proficient or above in reading.
When the organization was formed, it set five goals it wanted to help northern Santa Barbara County accomplish by 2020, most of which included an increase in the number of degrees or certificates awarded, as well improvements in reading scores. WALI identified these goals in 2013, and began actively pursuing them in 2014, said Eddie Taylor, United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County CEO and WALI co-lead.
WALI plans to meet its goals by partnering with other organizations with similar ambitions, including Hancock, and by aggregating and releasing data to chart the area’s progress. The organization also introduces educators and employers to each other at different events and forums that WALI holds throughout the year, Conner said.
Taylor said WALI has made significant progress on most of its 2020 goals, with the exception of improving literacy among adults. The primary reason for this, he said, is because most adults in the area are too busy working to improve their reading skills.
“Some families are carrying two or three jobs, and there is no time for education,” Taylor said. “Having literacy improvement programs in the workplace would help, but that would require employers setting aside time [for employees to learn].”
Highlights
• Santa Maria resident Mark Andersen lost both of his legs in a boating accident on Lake Nacimiento in 2000. And now, almost 20 years later, this lifelong Dodgers fan—with a new set of prosthetic legs—is set to throw the fist pitch at the Dodgers game against the Atlanta Braves on May 6.
• Nominations are now open for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber’s annual awards gala, which recognizes local citizens, businesses, and organizations in the Santa Maria area. The different categories include: citizen of the year, small businesses of the year, large business of the year, nonprofit of the year, and young professional of the year. Residents have until May 20 to submit their nominations. The winners will be revealed at the chamber’s gala on July 23.
Staff Writer Zac Ezzone wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be spend to the Sun via fax, mail, or email at spotlight@santamariasun.com
This article appears in Apr 25 – May 2, 2019.