The Latino community is the largest ethnic group in the United States. Latinos’ population is above 62.56 million, which represents almost 19% of the nation’s population and 17.3% of the labor force. This market represents a customer base with a yearly consumption of US$ 1.8 trillion.
Latinos are not just consumers, though. The estimations consider that there would be 400,000-450,000 Latino-owned businesses which generated over $460 billion in annual revenue and 5 million of employees in the U.S. today.
Latinos mainly work in activities such as: Farming, Building and Construction, Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance, Food Preparation and Transportation.
It is interesting to note that in the top five US states with the largest Latino populations (California: 15.6 MM, Texas: 11.6 MM, Florida: 5.7 MM, New York: 3.8 MM and Arizona: 2.3 MM) have an average income of around US$ 62,800, way far from non-Latino communities, which can easily double or even triple these averages.
Despite these strides, challenges persist. Barriers such as low-income levels create unequal challenges for Latinos. Thus, the community face several challenges such as: Wage Theft and Harassment, Underrepresentation, Lack of Access to Education and Training, Disproportionate Job Losses, and Family-Care Obligations.
These challenges highlight the need for policies and initiatives aimed at improving their working conditions, providing access to education and training, and promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Education as a tool to change people’s mindset
Education is a powerful tool that can transform people’s mindsets, encouraging growth, resilience, and aspirations.
The progress made by the Hispanic community in the field of education is commendable. However, more must be done to ensure that Latinos of all racial backgrounds, linguistic abilities, and gender identities have an opportunity for social and economic mobility.
Access to education can have a significant impact on family economic improvement, better aspirations, and life quality. Here’s how:
- Economic Improvement: Education promotes employment and earnings. Globally, there is a 9% increase in hourly earnings for every extra year of schooling. This can lead to an improvement in the family’s economic situation. Moreover, education sets the foundation for sustained economic growth.
- Better Aspirations: Education can influence a person’s aspirations. A study found health education improved students’ life satisfaction and aspirations gap. This means that education can help individuals set higher goals and aspirations for themselves.
- Improved Quality of Life: Education has a strong influence on a person’s social behavior and interaction with their children, which in turn influences their opportunities in the future4. Moreover, health-related quality of life in young people is significantly influenced by their level of education.
To have access to these benefits, it’s important to advocate for equitable access to quality education for all, regardless of their socioeconomic status. This could involve supporting policies that increase funding for education. It’s also crucial to ensure that the education system is inclusive and caters to the diverse needs of all students.
Remember, education is not just about academic achievement. It’s also about developing a range of skills and attitudes that can help individuals succeed in life.
By today, there are several educational alternatives for the workforce:
- Community Colleges: These institutions offer affordable education and vocational training programs. They can serve as a stepping stone to a four-year college degree.
- Adult Education Programs: These programs offer courses in basic skills like reading, writing, and math, as well as GED preparation and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
- Vocational and Technical Training: These programs provide job-specific training for various trades and professions. This can be a good option for those who want to enter the workforce quickly.
- Apprenticeships: Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction, usually leading to a nationally recognized credential.
The best educational path will depend on the individual’s career goals and personal circumstances. It’s important to explore all options and choose the one that best fits your needs.
Education alternatives for the Latino Workforce
Although there are many alternatives for the workforce, it seems the Latino community do not use them or furthermore, do not have access/knowledge of how to engage on them.
Access to education can play a crucial role in improving the achievements of Latino worforce. By the growth of the community, it can become the nation’s best interest that Latino community have access to high-quality education programs tailored to their needs and what the country requires today and tomorrow.
Beyond traditional education provided by universities and institutes, there are several alternatives for adults and the workforce:
- Professional Development Programs: Many industries have professional development programs that offer training and certifications. These programs are often tailored to the specific needs of the industry.
- Internships and Apprenticeships: These programs provide hands-on experience and training in a specific field. They can be a great way to gain practical skills and make connections in the industry.
- Microcredentials: These are mini qualifications that demonstrate skills, knowledge, and experience in a given subject area or capability. Online education companies like Coursera offer microcredentials.
- Industry Certifications: Many industries offer certifications that can be obtained through online study and exams. These certifications can enhance your resume and make you more attractive to employers.
- Online Learning Platforms: Websites like Coursera, Udemy, and Khan Academy offer a wide range of courses in various fields. These platforms provide flexibility and allow learners to learn at their own pace.
- MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses): free online courses available for anyone to enroll. MOOCs offer a wide range of courses from universities around the world.
The best educational path will depend on each individual’s career goals and personal circumstances.
Educapolis committed in the improvement of Latinos Education
Since its inception, Educapolis has always aimed to offer education to people who became adults and parents without further economic and/or socio-environmental opportunities, to contribute with education through the intensive use of technology. Thus, education can be provided either asynchronously (using E-Learning alternatives) or synchronously (Zoom, Teams, etc.).
Though we are more likely to MOOC, Microcredentials-type learning content, Educapolis is always open to explore new ways of spreading knowledge, aiming the needs of the market and the lack of education of the Latinos workforce. And, nevertheless, we develop our contents in Spanish.
Our company’s model works under a well-defined process: supported by funds from entities that support the improvement of the workforce skills, and with the help of think-tanks, we look for the real needs of education to be fulfilled. Once identified these needs, we search for the specialists or experts on the matter. With these preconditions achieved, we develop high-quality educational content and publish our courses.
Undoubtedly our experience and capacity for expanded use of this type of education can also be used by companies themselves, for the internal needs of their organizations (train their personnel, clients, suppliers, and stakeholders in general).
Today, technology allows us to have wonderful streaming platforms for leisure (movies, series, games). The advantages of technology must also be taken advantage to educate the people. This is the only way to get out of people’s current living standards and contribute to the improvement of the aspirations of their families.
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