Black and Hispanic workers in Dallas aren’t as educated as White workers and will be left behind if city leaders don’t offer more workforce development programs, according to a report commissioned by the mayor.
Why it matters: White residents in Dallas are more likely to have a college degree than Black and Hispanic residents, which exacerbates racial disparities in income.
- One in four Black residents live in poverty, and one in five Hispanic residents live in poverty.
Driving the news: The mayor will name a “workforce czar” today to implement the recommendations in the report, which was released in November.
What they’re saying: The skills gaps between white and minority populations in Dallas “threaten to stunt the city’s growth and to leave behind parts of its population,” the report said.
By the numbers: In Dallas, 40% of jobs pay $32,000 or more, the report said.
- White workers hold 54% of jobs that pay a “family-sustaining wage.”
- Black workers hold 15% of those jobs.
- Hispanic workers hold 16%.
The report’s recommendations include:
- Appoint a workforce liaison, either by hiring or appointing someone to oversee the workforce development effort.
- Partner with other local government agencies, such as community colleges, to fund and offer training programs.
- The mayor’s office should promote upskilling education programs.
- Launch a website — the report calls it a “digital tool” — for job listings and training programs.
