The Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s (HHF’s) LOFT (Latinos on Fast Track) program has enhanced its efforts to diversify the workforce through a relationship-based, industry-tailored approach to internship and full-time job placement focusing on preparation and retention. The LOFT program, which is a four-year partnership between HHF and the Hispanic College Fund, systematically identifies, places, and develops relationships between emerging Latino professionals and corporate America. LOFT also today launched a new web-based application process designed to reach more students and young professionals than ever. Previously, the only pipeline to LOFT was through the HHF’s Youth Awards and the Hispanic College Fund’s scholarship program.
Despite recent employment gains, Latinos still have the lowest median wage of all racial and ethnic groups. A recent report from the Pew Hispanic Center indicates that in 2005-2006, the median wage among foreign-born Latinos – who represent the largest share of the Hispanic labor pool – actually decreased, indicating that jobs at the management level remain elusive.
With a growing network of more than 100,000 currently eligible candidates, LOFT focuses on:
Making talented Latino students or recent graduates aware of key industries or job opportunities Preparing them for the specific industry, company culture, and job once an opportunity has been identified Building meaningful, long-term relationships between employers and candidates
The application process is open to students in college or graduate school, and to young professionals already in the workforce. Eligibility requires Latino or Hispanic descent, a 2.5 minimum grade point average, U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and a demonstration of strong community involvement. High school students may apply to engage in the many available cultural and educational events, networking, and mentoring opportunities, but are not eligible for internship or employment placements. The application may be completed online at www.HispanicHeritage.org/loft.php.
“The concept of LOFT was one of nuance and sustainability,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of HHF and creator of the program. “We like to say that we don’t cast a wide net for the candidates but aim a ‘laser beam.’ We focus on building relationships, and our program works to compliment and enhance a company’s existing diversity efforts. We have also discovered that many talented young Latinos at top colleges are not fully aware of the opportunities that exist because of disadvantaged backgrounds. They don’t always have the uncle who knows someone at a big company and can provide guidance. We feel a strong responsibility to fill that role.”
The LOFT program meets immediate workforce needs by working closely with its sponsoring partners to design a program that will significantly diversify the company over a three-year period with an emphasis on retention and internal upward mobility. LOFT creates industry-specific newsletters, offers online networking, hosts special events, and even boasts a speakers’ bureau of interns to promote opportunities within a particular industry or company to their peers in high school, colleges, and youth groups. LOFT increases retention and builds long-term investment by facilitating the relationship between the employers and candidates to address cultural nuances and to develop an individualized mentoring component.
The breakdown of the LOFT candidates’ area of focus is:
w 24% engineering, computer, math, technology
w 24% sciences physical or social
w 30% business, marketing, management, economics, finance, accounting
w 22% communications, public policy and other Click here for more information on LOFT! |
