ASAP Public Education Initiative: PACE for Workforce Development

With one of our values being public education, as well as the recognition and advancement of the administrative profession, the American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP) has recently partnered with the Televerde Foundation on a new public education initiative: PACE for Workforce Development. This program is built to provide currently and formerly incarcerated women with the opportunity to become PACE certified and thus the ability to successfully join and advance in the global workplace. To speak more on this project, we invited Nicole Baker, ASAP training manager, to elaborate on the program's mission, impact, and future goals. 

      Nicole Baker, ASAP Training Manager

What sparked the idea to create the program? 

Nicole Baker: The concept around the PACE for Workforce Development program was sparked as I continued to work more with community college programs that wanted to offer PACE Certification as part of their continuing education programs. It was apparent that there was a lack of resources for individuals looking to build strong, foundational business skills and enter an office setting. Our team here at ASAP saw this as an opportunity to allow use of our program through our PACE Licensing option, as PACE teaches a variety of transferable skills while also offering valuable exposure to business operations. When I first connected with leadership at the Televerde Foundation, we had a lengthy discussion around the opportunities that can be found in the administrative profession, specifically. With shared missions around professional development and empowerment, it was an ideal partnership. 

Can you explain how the program works?

The Televerde Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering marginalized communities, particularly incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women, through education, training, and employment opportunities. These programs focus on developing skills in varied areas and aim to equip participants with marketable skills for reintegration into society upon release. By offering education and employment pathways, the Televerde Foundation aims to break the cycle of incarceration and support individuals in building successful, fulfilling lives beyond prison walls.

What does the program hope to achieve?

This program focuses on building translatable skillsets, including communication, task management, technology, and leadership, which learners can then use to build their path forward. A role-specific focus in these diverse areas also enhances crucial assets in today's workplace. Overall, the administrative profession serves as an invaluable starting point for individuals to build a successful and versatile career trajectory. The overall approach of the program aims to inspires creativity, imagination, self-confidence, and social skills while addressing issues that cause recidivism. It also seeks to enable women to break the generational cycle of poverty and incarceration by becoming positive role models. As a result, they will help change the lives of future generations and build stronger communities. In general, all programs through Televerde also include an emphasis on personal and professional development, self-confidence, and building a growth mindset.

Why is PACE a beneficial certificate for incarcerated individuals to pursue? 

Training for a career as an administrative professional is highly beneficial for incarcerated individuals for several reasons. Firstly, it equips them with essential organizational, communication, and time management skills, which are all crucial for success in the workplace. Secondly, it offers a pathway to employment upon release, helping individuals secure stable jobs and reintegrate into society. Additionally, administrative roles often provide opportunities for advancement and career growth, allowing formerly incarcerated individuals to build a stable and fulfilling career. Lastly, training in this field fosters self-confidence and a sense of purpose, empowering individuals to break the cycle of incarceration and achieve long-term success.

What is the future of the program and will it be expanding to other facilities?

As the Televerde Foundation kicks off their first cohort of 50 learners this spring, they look to offer it regularly as part of their PATHS program to help currently and formerly incarcerated women "Prepare, Achieve, and Transform for Healthy Success." As the first cohort progresses, we look to help the foundation track progress through PACE admin management tools and offer resources for maintaining certification once learners have passed and are able to add the acronym “PACE” after their name.

Want to learn more about PACE or explore other ASAP training opportunities? 

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