Durham Strategic Plan Dashboard
Prosperity
Status Indicator: 
In Progress | 
On Hold | 
Complete/Ongoing
Initiative: 1.31 Develop, pilot and expand employment opportunities through a Good Jobs and Equity program
Shared Economic Prosperity
Description
This initiative will explore the feasibility of building an apprenticeship program to create equitable career opportunities and pathways into quality jobs within City Government for Durham residents. If determined to be feasible, the program will focus on historically disadvantaged city residents who do not have bachelors’ degrees. The lack of a college degree is one of many systemic barriers faced by Black and Brown residents between the ages of 18-29 in Durham.
Key Measures & Data Analysis
In Durham County, NC, the percentage of residents with a bachelor's degree varies significantly by race. According to the most recent data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 2022:
- Overall: 56.4% of Durham County residents aged 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher.
- White: Approximately 68.6% of White residents have a bachelor's degree or higher.
- Black or African American: Around 34.2% of Black or African American residents have a bachelor's degree or higher.
- Asian: About 73.9% of Asian residents have a bachelor's degree or higher.
- Hispanic or Latino: Approximately 24.7% of Hispanic or Latino residents have a bachelor's degree or higher.
As of 2023, the unemployment rates in Durham County, NC, broken down by race, show disparities similar to national trends. The following are the rates based upon available data:
- Black or African American: Approximately 6.1%
- White: Around 3.1%
- Hispanic or Latino: Approximately 4.2%
- Asian: About 2.6%
Why is it important?
An apprenticeship program is one way to address systemic barriers for residents without bachelor’s degrees. If determined to be feasible, it will enable access to stable, quality jobs and career paths for historically disadvantaged Durham residents. The goal is shared economic prosperity and the best way to create this pathway is within City government, where the vision of inclusivity is driving new ways of thinking about attracting and retaining talent.
What have we been doing?
Results for America selected the City of Durham to be part of a nationwide cohort focused on equitable employment. The initiative is called Good Jobs & Equity. Our focus is apprenticeships within City government. This project requires a close partnership between select City of Durham departments, Apprenticeship NC, and Durham Tech to identify potential apprenticeable positions that require no prior work experience. Our progress to date is summarized below:
- Met with Dr. Norman Collins, Apprenticeship Coordinator, Durham Tech
- Met with Tony McKnight, Apprenticeship Consultant, NC Department of Commerce
- Held a meeting with five City of Durham Departments (Human Resources, Fleet Management, Water Management, General Services, and Public Works) attended by Durham Tech and Apprenticeship NC
- Held individual meetings with Fleet Management, Water Management, General Services, and Public Works to discuss potentially apprentice-able positions that require 'no work experience'.
- Gathered job descriptions for existing positions
- Met with Human Resources to discuss job descriptions for potentially apprentice-able positions, which need to include steps to advance and pay structure
- Follow-up meeting with Durham Tech
- Follow-up meeting with departments (Fleet Management, Water Management, and Public Works) regarding moving forward. General Services positions require at least some experience.
- Received and reviewed information from government entities that have introduced an apprenticeship program (Philadelphia and San Francisco).
Also attended monthly meetings and received coaching from Results for America, the initiator of this program.
What's next?
The following are the next steps to continue to move the Good Jobs & Equity initiative forward:
- Benchmarking to include a visit to Charlotte to learn more about the Charlotte Training Academy and the Charlotte Apprenticeship training program
- Provision of the New Program Development Form to Durham Tech
- Provision of job descriptions for potentially apprentice-able positions to Durham Tech and Apprenticeship NC
- Confirmation of apprentice-able positions by Apprenticeship NC
- Confirmation of Durham Tech training requirements
- Confirmation by departments of steps to advance from apprentice level to entry-level
- Development of job descriptions for select apprentice-able positions in Fleet Management, Water Management, and Public Works
- Human Resources review of job descriptions and establishment of compensation
- Job descriptions and compensation shared with Apprenticeship NC and Durham Tech
- Development of an orientation program for new employees
- Recruitment and selection
City Website Home Page: Durham, NC | Official Website (durhamnc.gov)
Budget Website Page: Budget & Management Services Department | Durham, NC (durhamnc.gov)
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