Discover how innovative expungement programs are transforming lives and strengthening communities in this episode of Working Together. You'll learn how Clean Slate Clackamas is breaking down barriers for individuals with criminal records, creating pathways to employment, housing, and self-sufficiency. Through partnerships between workforce boards, legal advocates, and community organizations, this conversation explores the power of second chances, the importance of access to justice, and why investing in these programs benefits not only individuals but entire communities. Tune in to hear real-world success stories and gain insight into how collaborative solutions are shaping a more inclusive future.

In this episode, we sit down with Jaime Cruz, Executive Director of Workforce Connections, Southern Nevada's Local Workforce Development Board. Jaime shares his insights on the vital role collaboration plays in workforce development, discussing how partnerships between businesses, education, and community organizations drive effective solutions. He dives into the transformative potential of technology in upskilling workers, highlights the importance of soft skills, and explores the future of workforce development in a rapidly changing landscape. Tune in for a conversation full of practical strategies and inspiring ideas for shaping the workforce of tomorrow.

Tune in for a conversation with Tiffany Grimes, founder of Empower Coaching and Training, as she discusses bringing coaching methodologies to workforce development. Tiffany, with 16 years of experience in the workforce sector, discusses how her organization helps workforce professionals and job seekers develop "soft skills" that account for 75% of job success. The discussion covers empowering clients through coaching rather than consulting or advising, the neuroscience behind behavior change, and how this approach prevents burnout among workforce professionals while creating employment outcomes for job seekers. Tiffany also shares her partnership with the Oregon Employment Training Association (OEDA) and her mission to "infiltrate workforce development with coaching" to create human-centered employment services.