What does Phoenix have in common with cities like:
- Amman, Jordan.
- Bogata, Colombia
- Butuan, Philiippines.
- Istanbul, Turkey.
- Hermosillo, Mexico.
- Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Kigali, Rwanda.
- Kumasi, Ghana.
- Paterson, USA
- Rochestor, Minnesotta.
- Rourkela, India.
- Vilnius, Lithuania.
- Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Wellington, New Zealand.
All 15 Cities are the 2021 winners of the 2021 Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Mayor’s Challenge.
What is The Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Mayor’s Challenge
According to their website, the purpose of The Bloomberg Philanthropies Challenge is:
“Cities are uniquely positioned to foster creative solutions to our most pressing social and economic issues of today and tomorrow. But the process requires enormous creativity, the formation of energetic partnerships, and the judicious use of data. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge is a competition designed to spark innovative, replicable ideas for improving cities, and the lives of people living in them, by encouraging leaders to think outside the box about how to confront their most difficult challenges.”
The Global Mayor’s Challenge for 2021 was to: “focus on identifying and accelerating the most ambitious ideas developed by cities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Each winning city received one million dollars to “implement their breakthrough ideas and, ultimately, to spread those ideas to other cities around the world.
Which breakthrough idea did Phoenix develop that won them the 2021 Challenge?
According to a press release from Mayor Kate Gallego’s office, Phoenix won the 2021 Global Mayors challenge for its:
“Phoenix’ award-winning innovation is a data-directed Mobile Career Unit (MCU) that helps unemployed residents overcome barriers and obtain employment. The MCU connects hiring employers with jobseekers, right in their neighborhoods, filling job vacancies and providing access to employment services.”
“In addition to the $1 million dollar award, Phoenix’ Mobile Career Unit initiative will also receive technical support and coaching over three years. A targeted zip code focus is coupled with quantitative and qualitative data to determine areas in Phoenix that most need assistance. Offering trainings, interview opportunities (virtual and in-person), translation, career counseling, and supplemental supportive services, the goals of the MCU is to decrease unemployment, while boosting confidence. The MCU is the only service in Phoenix acts as this kind of mobile career “hotspot.”
Reaction from Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego
Commenting on Phoenix being one of 15 cities from around the world to win the 2021 Global Mayors Challenge, Mayor Kate Gallego stated:
“Global talent shortages are at a 15-year high, with one in three employers citing difficulty filling jobs. So, in Phoenix, we got creative and focused on coming up with new ways for employers and job seekers to connect. Pilots of the Mobile Career Unit have successfully demonstrated it provides employers with skilled talent and results in ‘on the spot’ hires. This innovative approach holds great promise for getting the people of Phoenix into good jobs, and I believe it will serve as a model for communities around the world.”
“I am thrilled that our concept for Mobile Career Units is receiving this tremendous recognition, and am deeply grateful to Bloomberg Philanthropies for their commitment to finding great ideas and sharing them widely.”
220118 Phoenix Wins Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Mayors Challenge
Congratulations Phoenix and their leaders for developing an innovative system that will help not just local residents but perhaps people all over the world.
Discover more from Blog for Arizona
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.