Diversification through Collaboration - How One Small Business Diversified Its Staff by Partnering with a Leading Workforce Development Program
Todd Rogers
Proposal Status
Ready for Committee Review
Username
Todd Rogers
Proposer First Name
Todd
Proposer Email
trogers@energytrainers.net
Proposer Last Name
Rogers
Proposer Phone
(917) 732-7970
Proposer Job Title
President
Proposer Additional Info
For over twenty years, Todd Rogers, CEM has been designing innovative energy education and behavior-based energy management programs. His program design services are utilized by K-12 schools, energy service companies (ESCO's), public housing authorities, utilities, and government agencies. His work includes development of building operator training programs and the design and management of behavioral energy management (BEM) programming at over 30 public housing authorities, nationwide. More recently he led the development of KiloWatch, a student-driven BEM program for K-12 schools. KiloWatch is a way for school districts to reduce energy costs while incorporating hands-on, STEM-based learning experiences for students.
In 2020 he launched the Sustainable Action Matters podcast, where you meet the people who are impacting sustainability behaviors on scales that matter. Guests share the most effective actions for creating a greener future, and how behavioral science is applied to scale them up.
The breadth of his experience includes performing analyses for energy performance contracting projects and teaching public school. In 2002 he founded Energy Training Solutions (ETS), which has become a national leader in energy education and behavioral energy management, occupant engagement programming, and training for building operators.
Proposed Session Description
As part of Energy Training Solutions’ (ETS) broader mission to diversify the talent of the building
performance industry, we have collaborated extensively with the HOPE Program in NYC. The HOPE
Program provides training for the unemployed, underemployed and those in transition to provide not
only financial stability for individuals, but also justice and dignity for communities who have been
disenfranchised by the labor market. Our partnership focuses on bringing New Yorkers with particularly
high barriers to employment, into green collar job opportunities in a growing field of employment with
quality jobs. HOPE graduates hold positions at ETS ranging from outreach and education to construction
management.
In this session you will learn from our experiences about the challenges faced by employers who
endeavor to hire staff from a population of workers that has been historically marginalized. We will
present our unique partnership where ETS provides training in building performance and sustainability
topics to students engaged in HOPE’s rigorous Sustainable South Bronx program and collaborates with
HOPE on development of further programming from an industry perspective.
Students who come through the HOPE Program and are hired by ETS, have had extensive job-readiness
training and preparation. They also may have a thin employment history and require ongoing support
to succeed and move into positions of greater responsibility. While ETS provides the kind of supportive
work environment that is necessary for their success, many of our staff benefit from the continued support of
HOPE to thrive and grow. The HOPE Program honored ETS with its Employer of the Year Award in 2019 in recognition
this successful partnership.
Why is this session important?
How do we address the need for diversifying a largely white industry?
How do we find and support qualified candidates of color and support them to move beyond entry level?
We feel that this is a compelling model that can be utilized in other partnerships.
Comments
ROUND 1 DISCUSSION: Recuse:
ROUND 1 DISCUSSION: Recuse: Michaela Boren. Fatou works in South Bronx, local communities. Collaboration connection is good. Showcase what works with disadvantaged community. Unique - hasn't seen it at other conferences. Audience would gain understanding of how to hire. Not theoretical plan: examples of what works. Solid details.
YES, 60 MINUTES. (SUGGESTED
YES, 60 MINUTES. (SUGGESTED ADDING SPEAKER WHO GRADUATED FROM HOPE AND WORKS FOR ETS, ALSO HIGHLIGHTING CHALLENGES AND HOW THEY WERE OVERCOME. PROPOSER IS OPEN TO COLLABORATING WITH COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP FINAL SESSION. ONE CONCERN - SPEAKER FROM HOPE HAS ONLY BEEN DOING THIS WORK FOR ABOUT 1.5 YEARS, PROPOSER IS A BIT DRY IN SPEECH.. LEANING NO IF THERE IS A BETTER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SESSION UNDER CONSIDERATION.)
ROUND 2 DISCUSSION: Proposer
ROUND 2 DISCUSSION: Proposer runs a company that provides energy training, partered with a speaker who runs a workforce development organization. Felt like a one-off colaboration more than a systemic or applicable pattern. However, it's a topic that doesn't get a lot of coverage. Very local (South Bronx). Possibly dry (speaker got mixed reviews last time).
Diversity and Inclusiveness
This session is rooted in the discussion about equity. It helps answer questions such as, "How do we address the need for diversifying a largely white industry?" and "How do we find and support qualified candidates of color and support them to move beyond entry level?"
Learning Objectives
Overcome the challenges of working with a population of workers that has been historically marginalized
Develop a plan for diversification in partnership with agencies who can support the needs of the company.
Determine whether an agency can provide the necessary support
Describe the importance of reciprocity in the relationship between a workforce program and the employer. The company doesn’t just pick up employees, it contributes to the training of these potential workers.
Has this session been presented before?
No
NYC 2021 Areas of Focus
Target Audiences Level of Expertise
Level 1 - No prior knowledge needed.
Session Format
Interview or structured conversation among panelists
Recommended Length
60-minute session
Strongest Content Connection - NYC 2021
Comments about your speaker roster
The roster includes speakers from both Energy Training Solutions and The HOPE Program, providing a full 360 view of this innovative partnership.
Karen-Michelle is a Workforce Development professional with extensive experience in program design, business development, performance management, employee engagement, partnership development and culture change. At The HOPE Program, she leads the Employment and Graduate Service team which is responsible for placing training graduates into quality jobs and facilitating their growth along their career pathway. Prior to HOPE, as Director of Workforce Services at Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation, Karen-Michelle advised hundreds of businesses in recruitment, organizational culture development, management strategies and professional development. Before entering Workforce Development, she was a catalyst in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, partnering with organizations to create learning and development experiences that help teams and leaders unleash their potential. Karen-Michelle received a Master of Business Administration in marketing and finance with a certificate in entrepreneurship from New York University Stern School of Business. She completed a BA from Adelphi University in English and Women’s Studies. Karen-Michelle is known for being a passionate, relatable and empathic public speaker and facilitator. Additionally, Karen-Michelle enjoys playing in the ocean and singing gospel music.
Reviewer 1
Jabbie, Fatou
Reviewer 2
Sullivan, Jim
Proposal #
141
Committee Decision
Being Considered
Yes. Both speakers have a
Yes. Both speakers have a strong backgroud in the topic and work. Given their collaboration at the communtiy level to address equity and job creation; the session is positioned to inform and provide tangible insights on success stories but also challenges/lessons learned.