A Look Back at the S.O.S. Report: We’re All in Workforce Development
LifeCity CEO Liz Shephard shares the key findings of the State of Sustainability Report at the Love Your City Luncheon on February 25th, 2026.
Louisiana Works’s statewide Business Workforce Solutions initiative will consolidate workforce funding at the state level in an effort to streamline the state’s workforce development services. The program supports Governor Jeff Landry’s Executive Order JML 26-011, which orders Louisiana Works to reform and modernize the state’s public workforce development system by unifying the statewide planning and governance structure to carry out local board functions. The program’s goal is to provide coordinated workforce support consistent with regional and statewide economic priorities. While the state budgeting process is still ongoing, the effort to consolidate workforce development funding at the state level could potentially have far-reaching impacts for New Orleans in terms of the city’s ability to provide quality workforce development opportunities.
As the Love Your City New Orleans State of Sustainability Report demonstrates, quality workforce development is a critical need for advancing equitable and sustainable economic development in New Orleans, and any effort that reduces regional funding or representation threatens economic mobility for a large swath of New Orleans residents. Fortunately, as New Orleans Career Center CEO and Regional Sustainability Committee member Claire Jecklin said at the State of Sustainability Report Luncheon, we are all in workforce development—whether we are employers, community leaders, teachers, parents, or mentors. That means we have the ability to leverage our resources and expertise to create and advance workforce development opportunities, even if state funding for these efforts decreases.
Investing in Employee Development and Well-Being
For businesses, workforce development starts with new hires and onboarding, but offering continued training has significant benefits for both the individual and the company. The Employee Development badge of the Love Your City scorecard focuses on supporting a culture of learning and employee growth. This can take a variety of forms, like professional development, cross-training, and mentorship.
By fostering an environment where employees are encouraged to learn and develop professionally, organizations can build more resilient and collaborative workplaces. In fact, companies that invest in employee training can see up to a 17% increase in productivity and a 21% increase in profitability. And 94% of employees say that they would stay at a company longer if it invested in their learning and development. This is crucial because employee turnover is an overall loss of key skills for organizations, including business strategy, strategic planning, and sales management.
Businesses can also improve job retention by offering workforce benefits. For instance, Gallo Mechanical and Landis Construction partner with Beam to embed a licensed social worker directly into the fabric of their organizations. By integrating professional social work support into the workplace, these firms are proactively strengthening retention, improving morale, and reinforcing safety culture—while signaling that employee well-being is not an afterthought, but a strategic priority.
At LifeCity, our staff can schedule no-cost, accessible therapy and mental health support through WeHelp NOLA, a nonprofit founded in 2019. This is a part of our commitment to support the personal and professional well-being of our team members and our goal to eliminate financial barriers for employees seeking mental health services. Through WeHelp NOLA’s membership system, business owners have collectively provided more than 7,500 sessions for their employees, particularly for individuals in the hospitality and service industry.
When businesses go the extra mile by offering continued learning opportunities and workforce benefits, the return on investment is significant for both the individual and organization.
Driving Workforce Development in the Community
Businesses in New Orleans who want to expand their workforce development programming to the community can offer apprenticeship programs and internships, actions in the Community Collaboration badge of the Love Your City scorecard. These programs give early career professionals the opportunity to participate in workplace culture, develop new skills and knowledge, and expand their professional network.
Businesses can also partner with local nonprofits driving workforce development in the community. Consider making a donation, volunteering, or offering to network with their developing talent. You can even support Reconcile New Orleans by stopping in for a meal at their restaurant, Café Reconcile!
Established in 2000, Reconcile New Orleans is a nonprofit that offers young adults (ages 16 to 24) career exploration and job readiness opportunities. Interns participate in a 14-week in-person training program in Café Reconcile, a restaurant featuring soul-filled New Orleans dishes. 100% of the restaurant’s profits fund Reconcile New Orleans’s internships. During the program, interns experience on-the-job training, earn industry credentials, and explore career and educational pathways.
A 501c3 nonprofit in New Orleans, Propeller supports workforce development by helping local entrepreneurs start, transform, and grow their businesses that tackle social and environmental disparities. In 2025 alone, Propeller helped create or sustain more than 560 jobs and supported over 743 businesses. Propeller’s Access to Capital team also helped entrepreneurs of color in the food Consumer Packaged Goods industry secure $250k in seed equity through the Propeller Impact Fund II, a $3M venture capital fund. Propeller also impacts the community through its coworking and event spaces.
Louisiana Green Corps is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides career building opportunities through the Construction & Conservation Corps (CCC). Spending at least 50% of their time in the field, participants gain paid experience and certifications in green construction, stormwater management, coastal restoration, urban forestry, energy efficiency, weatherization, and renewable energy. These projects benefit communities by reducing exposure to flooding and heat and improving local air quality. Through the CCC, Louisiana Green Corps provides pathways to upward mobility and civic participation.
What’s Next?
Workforce development solutions can take a variety of forms, and a place-based analysis of the needs and opportunities for workforce development in New Orleans should guide future workforce initiatives. Regardless of policy changes at the State level, the New Orleans business community has the vision, resources, and community leadership to support and uplift the local workforce and to ensure that everyone has access to economic mobility.
It is incumbent on all of us to participate in workforce development efforts in our own lives—whether by engaging politically to ensure equitable access to public resources, leveraging our business operations to build the workforce of the future, or mentoring a student or neighbor to help uplift our local community. And remember, workforce development starts with early childhood education. Until every child is kindergarten ready, we are missing a foundational step to ensuring a strong workforce strategy in our city.
For business leaders, joining the Love Your City movement is a great way to learn about how to support workforce initiatives and set goals for your own business’s workforce development efforts. Contact impact@mylifecity.com for a place-based consultation on how to support workforce development initiatives in your community.