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A resolution recommending the findings and proposals of the Youth Career Exploration and Alignment Opportunities Task Force.
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WHEREAS, in July of 2022, then Mayor Cooper announced the formation of the Youth Career Exploration and Alignment Opportunities Task Force (the “Task Force”); and
WHEREAS, Nashville has a strong and diversified economic base with a wide range of robust and thriving industry sectors including health care, technology, hospitality, manufacturing, logistics, and skilled trades; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force was charged with developing a roadmap to expand youth career exploration and youth employment opportunities based on existing models and best practices; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force membership included elected officials and representatives from the Mayor’s office, Juvenile Court, area youth-serving organizations, higher education institutions, state agencies, and area employers; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force sought out and engaged young people to participate and provide insight into youth employment and workforce development; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force’s mission was to provide a holistic equitable approach for youth career exploration and skill development that is sustainable and scalable that will act as a map for the next ten years; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force focused on five concentration areas: Coordination, Administration, and Case Management; High Quality Work Experiences; Public-Private Funding and Metrics; Skills for Success; and Bridge Programs for at-risk youth; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force found that Nashville has a wealth of youth-serving programs, organizations, and initiatives that could be aligned to create large scale opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force further found that Nashville has provided inconsistent execution and coordination of youth employment programming largely due to program and personnel changes over several administrations; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force further found that continuity and consistency of the youth development and youth career exploration and employment initiatives is important for Nashville; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force further found that Nashville has built youth systems that need to be sustained and expanded to increase equitable access for youth; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force further found that a landscape analysis of the demand and supply of youth employment opportunities in Nashville is needed; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force further found that an improved governance and coordination of all public and private initiatives is needed to maximize the access and outcomes for Nashville’s youth; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force concluded its work in May of 2023 by issuing a Taskforce Report of its findings and recommendations that was submitted to former Mayor Cooper in June of 2023 and to Mayor O’Connell in September of 2023; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force recommended that a new Office of Youth Career Development, separate from the Mayor’s Office, be created to operationalize the coordination of the youth-serving programs, organizations, assets, and initiatives; and
WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the welfare of the citizens of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County that the recommendations from the Youth Career Exploration and Alignment Opportunities Task Force be implemented.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record requesting that Mayor O’Connell implement the recommendations provided in the attached Taskforce Report issued by the Youth Career Exploration and Alignment Opportunities Task Force.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.