The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) has announced an upcoming listening session to enhance educational opportunities for migrant farmworkers and their families. This initiative reflects the commitment of American agricultural employers to support the personal and professional growth of their workers, who are recognized as unique individuals with diverse aspirations and goals.
According to Michael Marsh, President and CEO of NCAE, employers are keen to provide resources that help their workers achieve their dreams. “American agricultural employers know that their workers have incredible ambitions, and they want to support those workers in reaching their goals. We hope to bolster employer resources so that they may better facilitate their workers in achieving those dreams,” Marsh stated.
The listening session, scheduled for 2:30 pm ET/11:30 am PT on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, will be led by Jessica Castañeda, Coordinator of the Identification and Recruitment Consortium (IDRC).
Funded by the Department of Education, the IDRC is dedicated to supporting the educational success of migrant students and their families. The session will offer a platform for attendees to ask questions, share experiences, and discuss the educational needs of the agricultural community.
Jessica Castañeda’s leadership in this session aims to address a variety of educational opportunities for migrant farmworkers. These include basic math and English skills, financial literacy, and assistance in preparing for and obtaining a General Educational Development (GED) diploma. The goal is to identify and bridge gaps in educational resources available to farmworkers.
Marsh emphasized the importance of employer participation in this initiative, urging them to engage in the brainstorming process to connect resources with farmworkers better. “We encourage employers to take advantage of this opportunity to help us brainstorm ways to connect resources with farmworkers better,” he stated.
Registration for this significant event is available at ncaeonline.org. This session underscores NCAE’s mission to address agricultural labor issues from the employers’ perspective, ensuring that the workforce is equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed both personally and professionally.
In their press release, NCAE highlighted the value of this session as a step towards fulfilling the educational and aspirational needs of migrant farmworkers. The session promises to be a collaborative effort to improve the quality of life and work for those who are integral to the agricultural sector.
NCAE, as the national trade association focusing on agricultural labor issues, continues to advocate for better working conditions and opportunities for farmworkers. This listening session is part of their broader efforts to support the agricultural community by enhancing the educational resources available to migrant workers and their families.
