Weekly Update: Connecting Memphians to jobs

Friends,

When I gather city division leaders each month to discuss what the data says about how we’re delivering city services, there’s one part of the presentation that’s a bit of an outlier -- the one about jobs and employment.

It’s an outlier because, unlike the other services we track like garbage pickup and 911 call answer time, it is not something over which city government has direct control. The winds of the economy -- regionally, nationally, and globally -- are the main drivers.

Yet we track employment because we know just how important jobs are not just to the dignity and stability of every Memphian, but the effects they have on our big challenges like crime and poverty. So we’re hard at work each day on the things we can do to connect people to jobs and better equip them for those jobs, so that our city’s momentum is shared by all.

Our Workforce Investment Network is constantly connecting people to jobs -- and, just as importantly, the skills to get those jobs. Our own Human Resources Division has ramped up how we reach out to you to fill city jobs. I personally intervened to find a creative solution to bring 75 jobs in a new venture at Presidents Island -- and, along with Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, assembled the team that led to the preservation of some 1,200 jobs with ServiceMaster.

Today, I wanted to tell you about another tool you can utilize -- the MemphisWorks app and website. Developed by the Greater Memphis Alliance for a Competitive Workforce, an entity with which city government is a partner, the digital presence seeks to connect job-seekers with the jobs, career paths and training they need.

So here’s my challenge to you: If you need a job or are looking to better your career, visit MemphisWorks. Same with WIN’s site. If you're not looking for a job, though, share these sites on your own social networks. Help us broaden the reach so more and more people know the opportunities that exist.

Oh, and those numbers we review each month? Fortunately, they have been good lately. Each month, we’re consistently at our lowest rates of unemployment in almost a decade.

We’re committed to doing our part at city government to try to do even better.

Here’s a career suggestion: If you have what it takes to serve our city as a Memphis Police officer, we want to hear from you. Between now and Dec. 27, you can sign up to be on track to join our March recruit class by visiting JoinMPD.com.

And speaking of challenges: As we’re in the midst of the holiday season, and as we reflect on what we value and what we’re thankful for, I want you to also think about how you can share your time and talent with the rest of the city.

Very soon, I’ll issue challenges for some specific efforts you can direct your energy toward that will help make Memphis a better place. We need everyone doing their part -- and city government leading the way -- to tackle our challenges.

Yours,