WC Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Season 2-Episode 14:Mark Sherry and David Parks Jun 20, 2022

Show notes

Mark Sherry, Vice Chair, and David Parks, Secretary Treasure of Workforce Solutions, Capital Area, Austin, Texas, share their take-aways from the best practices exchange visit with Workforce Connections in Las Vegas, NV; growing regional industry sector partnerships; how upscaling has exposed their workforce to new opportunities; the concept of customer-centric hiring and its benefits; how to grow local talent at a much younger age; great culinary and other experiences in Las Vegas and the high level of customer service in Southern Nevada.

Workforce Solutions Capital Area:

Workforce Solutions Capital Area — Connecting People to Jobs (wfscapitalarea.com)

S2-Episode 13: Tina Quigley & Michael Brown Jun 08, 2022

Show notes

Special Guest Host, Tina Quigley, President & CEO for the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) and Workforce Connections Board Member, and her guest, Michael Brown, Executive Director of the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development talk about sustainable economic development, diversifying the workforce, climate change, and water; the relationship between workforce development and economic development; the Build Back Better Grant and how Workforce Connections, city and county municipalities, higher education, and LVGEA worked together to become a finalist for the grant; the availability and diversity of the workforce for potential new companies moving to Las Vegas; the differences in the urban and rural areas of Las Vegas; and the future of the Las Vegas economy.

Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance:
https://www.lvgea.org/

Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development:
https://goed.nv.gov/

Season 2-Episode 12: Marcie Smedley Jun 08, 2022

Show notes

Marcie Smedley, Executive Director for the Henderson Libraries, discusses the renovation project at Green Valley Library including the Employ NV Career & Business Hubs; new and improved amenities at the library; youth and adult services provided by the library and the hubs; new resources available to businesses at the library; the future of work and its impact on public libraries.

Green Valley Library:
Green Valley Library - Henderson Libraries

One-Stop Career Center:
One-Stop Career Center (nvcareercenter.org)

Season 2-Episode 11: Ericka Aviles Jun 08, 2022

Show notes

Ericka Aviles founder of Ericka Aviles Consulting LLC talks about the leap of faith she took to become a business owner; the challenges Hispanic small businesses face in Las Vegas; how her business provides guidance and access to resources; her experience at MGM Resorts, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and with former mayor Oscar Goodman.

Ericka Aviles Consulting:
https://erickaaviles.com/

Season 2-Episode 10: Jack Martin & Jaime Cruz Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

Special Guest Host, Jack Martin, Workforce Connections Board Member, and his guest, Jaime Cruz, Executive Director at Workforce Connections, discuss Jaime’s roots in Lima, Peru; attending the Merchant Marine Academy, sailing to 27 countries; immigrating to America; his journey from dishwasher to banquet server, facilities engineer, the first energy manager at MGM Resorts, corporate director of Energy and Environmental Services, and currently as Executive Director of Workforce Connections; the evolution of the local workforce development board; the impact of the pandemic on the Las Vegas community and the rest of the economy after the great resignation.
Workforce Connections:
HOME - Workforce Connections Official Website (nvworkforceconnections.org)
One-Stop Career Center:
One-Stop Career Center (nvcareercenter.org)

Season 2-Episode 9: Jon Ponder Jun 06, 2022

Show notes

John Ponder, Founder & CEO of Hope for Prisoners, discusses the mission and vision of the organization; the efficiency and success of the program with over 4,700 people assisted since their doors opened; the effectiveness of identifying and addressing barriers to employment; the brand new Hope for Prisoners Facility and the partnerships with the community that are being created there; the secret of “job partnership”; and the concept of the “Vivid Vision.”

Hope for Prisoners:
https://hopeforprisoners.org/

Season 2-Episode 8: Jamie Schwartz May 02, 2022

Show notes

Jamie Schwartz, Director, Industry and Business Engagement for the UNLV Office of Economic Development discuss how her department is designed to diversify and improve the economy by assisting students to grow their own business or develop technologies, assisting the private sector like small business, entrepreneurs, inventors to help expand business or take their invention to another level; the Nevada Small Business Development Center at UNLV, the incredible Black Fire Innovation Center and all the amenities it has to offer and how it assists with various business development opportunities; partnering with Workforce Connections and other community partners to open the Small Business Connector at North Las Vegas City Hall to assist small business in the community; Working with the K-12 and post-secondary systems to build an effective talent pipeline for businesses.

For Black Fire Tour-contact Jamie Schwartz:
Jaime.Schwartz@UNLV.edu

UNLV of Economic Development:
Office of Economic Development | Office of Economic Development | University of Nevada, Las Vegas (unlv.edu)

Nevada Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UNLV:
Nevada Small Business Development Center at UNLV | Office of Economic Development | University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Black Fire Innovation:
Black Fire Innovation | Office of Economic Development | University of Nevada, Las Vegas (unlv.edu)

NLV Small Business Connector:
North Las Vegas Small Business Connector (cityofnorthlasvegas.com)

Vegas Blockchain Meetup-every last Tuesday of the month:
Blockchain groups in Las Vegas - Meetup

Tech Alley-every third Saturday of the month:
Home - Tech Alley tech and startup scene

Season 2-Episode 7: Guy and Frank Martin Apr 27, 2022

Show notes

Guy Martin, President of Martin Harris Construction interviews Frank Martin, Founder of the company. They discuss their roots in Southern Nevada, the family business and workforce development as an economic development imperative.

Season 2- Episode 6: Malik M.L. Williams, Carolyn Willis, and Michael D. Hollis Apr 18, 2022

Show notes

Episode 6: Guest host Malik M. L. Williams, welcomes Carolyn Willis, Program Manager at Hope for Prisoners, and Michael D. Hollis, Program Manager at Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow. They share their passion and commitment for their work with re-entry populations, special events happening in April (“Second Chance” month), and the importance of connecting returning citizens to their communities.
Hope for Prisoners:

Home - Hope for Prisoners
Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow (FIT):

Home - Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow (lasvegasfit.org)

Season 2-Episode 5: Wanda Smith-Gispert and Aaron Smith Apr 08, 2022

Show notes

Wanda Smith-Gispert, Vice President, Talent & Workforce Development at MGM Resorts, and Aaron Smith, Chief Operating Officer at C2 Global, discuss the new Employ NV Youth Hub and all of the free services and resources available for youth; understanding the needs of employers and working with the local workforce development board helps to develop future talent pipeline; developing strong employer partnerships; current open positions and developing a career path at MGM Resorts; the investment and transferable skills that MGM Resorts provides for their employees; how the public workforce system can be a good partner by providing training that aligns with the current industry demand; the upcoming Spring Job fair where MGM Resorts is hiring on the spot and starting pay at $18…for more information visit the link below.

The Video Podcast will be available soon on Workforce Connections’ YouTube Channel:

Workforce Connections | Podcasts - YouTube

One-Stop Career Center & Spring Job Fair information:

One-Stop Career Center (nvcareercenter.org)

Employ NV Youth Hub:

Employ NV Youth Hub | Website