 |
| |
| We needed to see whether we could marshal
both federal resources and programs and local resources and programs
with our won efforts to do a better job hiring people, particularly
disadvantaged people and those coming off welfare, into jobs with
a career path and benefits. |
Jim Dausch
President, Development Division
Mills Corporation |
| |
| { more success stories } |
|
| |
| { more retail successes } |
|
| |
| { other business challenges } |
 |
|
|
| Mills Corporation |
The Mills
Corporation, a self-managed real estate investment trust based
in Arlington, Virginia, owns, develops, leases, acquires, redevelops,
expands, and manages retail and entertainment destinations nationally
and internationally. Over the past 18 years, the company has inspired
a new standard in retail and entertainment. The "Mills Touch"
has become known as the company’s proven ability to anticipate
trends, engage consumers and create captivating retail and entertainment
experiences. In 2001, rental revenues alone accounted for over $173
million.
With 25 properties in the portfolio, and 32 million square feet of
leasable space, the company enjoys an average 92% occupancy rate across
the portfolio. To support several of its properties, Mills has pioneered
MATCH (Mills Access to Training and Career Help)—job readiness
and retention programs that target students, the elderly, people on
public assistance, and other individuals who may be returning to the
workforce.
At Katy Mills, outside of Houston, Texas, Mills found a mismatch between
the suburban location of their property and the location of entry-level
workers. "The Mills malls have, on average, 3,500 full and part-time
job openings when they start…but Katy Mills is roughly 25 miles
from downtown Houston. Most of the people who need entry-level jobs
are in urban areas or far rural locales. The challenge for us was
to recruit people where they live, but get them—on a regular
and convenient basis—out to jobs in the suburbs," said
Mills’ executive Jim Dausch. Mills established partnerships
with local and national government agencies, Houston Community College,
non-profit and community based organizations to design and implement
a program that includes training, transportation, career advancement
classes and childcare. The childcare/career advancement center was
built using grant funding from The Economic Development Administration
a division of The Department of Commerce. This is the first childcare
center to be built using EDA grant funding.
The MATCH program received the prestigious Metropolitan Award given
by Rice University and The University of Houston in recognition of
the regional approach that was taken in putting the program together.
At Arundel Mills in Baltimore, Maryland, Mills worked with Anne Arundel
Community College and the National Retail Federation to develop a
5,000-square-foot Sales and Training Service Center. The curriculum
at Arundel Mills includes training programs focused on customer service,
communications, and sales. It incorporates national skills standards
recognized by employers throughout the retail industry. Transportation
assistance is also provided.
To date, MATCH has trained over 1,800 people for careers in the retail
industry.
MATCH is currently being implemented in the low-income community of
Hunters Point in San Francisco, where Mills is establishing a new
mall.
The Mills approach is featured in a new report by Jobs for the Future
entitled, "Retention
and Advancement in the Retail Industry: A Career Ladder Approach."
To learn more about Mills Corporation and its innovative human resources
programs, contact Rebecca Sullivan, Director of Public/Government
Relations at (703) 526-5341.
find an expert who can help your company with filling human resources needs |
|
|
