“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
– Nelson Mandela
Building the Workforce of Tomorrow
The Career Nexus of today is building the workforce of tomorrow – a workforce that’s more prepared, diverse and motivated to succeed than ever before. We’re doing that through an innovative partnership between employers, a network of referral partners and qualified interns.
“Career Nexus intends to close the gap between economic and human development. Both efforts require whole community participation and alignment. For too long the strategies were fragmented, leaving people behind and employers without a strong workforce. Working together across every boundary and enterprise, we as the ‘Career Nexus ecosystem’ can ensure everyone has a path forward and an opportunity to lead a quality life. This approach benefits everyone. It maximizes human potential, minimizes social costs, and advances inclusive prosperity and wellbeing for our community.”
– Deborah Nankivell
CEO, Fresno Stewardship Foundation
Former CEO, Fresno Business Council
What Is a Referral Partner?
Career Nexus referral partners are made up of organizations that provide career readiness programs for students and young adults. They include public and private educational organizations, workforce development agencies, and nonprofit support agencies throughout the greater Fresno region.
Referral partners are mission-focused under Fresno’s Community Values – the same standard by which Career Nexus and our employer partners also operate. By adhering to these values, Career Nexus exists at all levels to inspire future community stewards working collaboratively to elevate our community as a whole.
What Is a Referral Partner’s Role with CAREER NEXUS?
Each referral partner is a vital connection in the workforce pipeline. In order for a young adult to move forward into one of the paid internship experiences we offer, the referral partner provides services including career education and skills training.
Our goal is to help these young adults build upon the career readiness foundation they received from our referral partners by providing them with a range of resources based on their unique strengths, weaknesses and interests.
The intern candidates are then matched with employers that best fit their interests and aptitude. Once in the Career Nexus program, each intern completes a minimum of 150-hour internship (15 hours per week for 10 weeks) and leaves the program with a Career Nexus: Work Readiness Certificate.
Each referral partner plays a significant role in the program’s success. They are the link between a young, motivated and internship-ready workforce, and industry employers with high job growth opportunities needing a larger pipeline of applicants in the future. They know how to encourage and inspire young adults from diverse backgrounds and experiences to fill good-paying jobs and careers that are available today in our region like manufacturing, healthcare, banking and private sector industries.
Interns that receive at least one job offer versus 44% of non-interns*
*National Association of Colleges and Employers 2019 Internship & Co-op Report
What Makes a Great Referral Partner?
Career Nexus referral partners are integral to our program, which offers additional support to interns when needed to help them break through what may feel like insurmountable barriers to employment. For that reason, our ideal referral partner is:
- Recognized by local industry employers for providing training in the necessary skills required for entry-level positions & internships
- A resource used by employers for the training & education of their workforce, both current and future
- Knowledgeable in addressing talent shortages and increasing diversity in high-demand jobs
- Experienced in dealing with common employment barriers, from lack of motivation & job skills to lack of transportation & childcare
- Competent in recognizing and providing support services for those experiencing social and emotional employment barriers
How Do We Become a Career Nexus Referral Partner?
Becoming part of the Career Nexus network of referral partners is a fulfilling way for your organization to take an active role in elevating our community. The first step is quick and easy: just answer a few questions about your organization below, and we’ll follow up to let you know about how to proceed from there.
