The LOFT (Latinos on Fast Track) program was created by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) in partnership with the Hispanic College Fund (HCF) to systematically identify, prepare, place and retain emerging Latino professionals on a management track. This approach is implemented in major industries to bolster America’s workforce in industries that meet President Obama’s economic priorities.  

LOFT’s mission looks to reestablish the American workforce as a global competitor by investing in the youngest and fastest growing segment of the population- - the Latino community. 

• Over the next 10 years more than two-thirds of overall workforce growth in America will be Latino. Less than one percent of this growth will be in management.
• By 2015, 100 percent of the United States’ workforce growth will be Hispanic.
• Over the next decade, 7 out of 10 NEW jobs created in America will be filled by Latinos.
• According to U.S Census projections, the Latino population will reach 47.8 million by 2010 and will account for over 16 % of the population.
• By 2010 Hispanics will represent a larger share of every consumer segment in the U.S. economy, an attractive incentive for businesses.
• Hispanic purchasing power reached $768 billion in 2005 and is projected to reach more than $1 trillion by 2010 – a growth rate nearly three times the
  overall national rate of the past decade.
• Nearly 50 percent of all Latinos are under 18 years old and the median age is nearly 10 years younger than the national average.

1. Selective Identification – HHF’s Youth Awards and HCF’s Scholars serve as the                                           main feeder programs along with the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA);
2. Preparation and Acculturation – company-specific orientations, tutorials and              interview training;
3. Facilitation of Relationship – LOFT-facilitated mentoring, communication, follow up and reporting;
4. Retention – consistent follow up with sponsor and candidates working toward interns becoming full-time hires on a management track;
5. Measurement – informal surveys, reporting and results of program;
6. Sustainability – special events, on-line communities and newsletters which continue beyond term of internship or placement of full-time hire.

The LOFT network is made up of tens of thousands of students and emerging Latino professionals. Over the last six years LOFT members have bolstered the workforce of Fortune 500 companies and industries including: engineering & technology, healthcare, retail, sales, business, finance, construction management, public service, public policy, and entertainment.

Beyond direct recruitment, LOFT continues to grow and expand its reach through a variety of career development opportunities:

• Supporting company’s existing recruiting efforts through college outreach.
• Coordinating special networking events to provide a platform for sponsors or elected officials in key regions and additional access and guidance to more than a hundred emerging Latino professionals. These events can be coordinated to specifically target students in specific fields such as STEM, business, or finance.

•  Developing orientations and trainings through company-specific tutorials in preparing the candidates for immediate impact and a high-level of performance
• Creating Mentoring platforms focusing on specific industries.

This summer, LOFT members in the STEM fields have been matched with professionals at ExxonMobil to complete a Harvard-certified mentoring curriculum. Students will not benefit from the career development sessions, but will also acquire insight and guidance on their career path by experts in their field.

• Create innovating ways to educate the youth about career opportunities. LOFT has launched a Green Initiative to provide inspiration, a path and opportunities in green jobs to young professionals and students.

The new MiVision.US/workforce online initiative will allow LOFT to expand beyond its impressive network and reach millions of Latinos. This website will feature video-taped professionals providing insight in the many different career paths within a wide range of industries (pharmaceutical, green jobs, education, retail, etc.). This venue will provide links and “leads” for human resource follow up. A national PSA and outreach campaign will be executed to drive users including testimonials from LOFT Network and celebrities such as Don Omar, Wilmer Valderrama and others.  The users will also be driven and supported through HHF’s programs and relationships. By showcasing Latino leaders a multitude of different industries users will understand that there is no facet of the public or private sector that is not in need of Latino talent and leadership.