One of the most powerful, but under-utilized tools you can use in workforce development is a map.
- Maps can show job seekers where the job openings are located or where to find supportive services.
- They can show the location of businesses and training programs related to specific industry clusters (as in this map for the Middlesex BioScience initiative).
- They can map the assets in your community that help ex-offenders or high school dropouts or Veterans or any other specific group looking for assistance in career and job search.
Luckily, building these maps is easy, using the Google Map tool, which allows you to create customized maps and then embed them in a website, wiki, blog etc. You can also email your customized maps.
With Google Maps you have the ability to:
- Create customized "markers" that will identify types of organizations you'll be mapping, such as in the example above where WIBs, One Stops, bioscience businesses, etc. each have their own type of map marker.
- Add descriptions and links to each marker, so for each location you add, you could describe services offered there with a link back to the organization's site or to other information.
- Add photos and video. Picture a quick introductory video to an organization or program that could be embedded into the placemarker and be available for individuals to click on and watch directly from the map.
- Create customized driving directions that can indicate things like restricted turns (great for "jug handles") and where construction is going on.
- Share maps so that partners could contribute to the map. Picture, for example, an industry cluster map of employers related to a particular industry that gave people in the community the ability to add the businesses they know of related to that cluster. This is a way to quickly build a useful repository of information and links to literally map industry-related assets in your area.
- Build maps from a spreadsheet, a completely awesome option that allows you to build a map from existing information or to collect information in a spreadsheet that can then be turned into a map. Check out Create a Code Free Google Map in 3 Steps and Create a Code Free Google Map with Tabs in 3 Steps.
Google Maps makes it easy and painless to create and share your own customized maps. Here are some resources to check out if you want to build a map of your own:
- Google Maps User Guide
- Fun, Informative Google Maps
- How to Create a Google Map in about 30 Minutes
- Easily Create a Custom Google Map
- How to Create a MyMap in Google Maps--video instructions
If you build a map or have one to share, leave us a comment with a link to the map. It would be great to see how people are using this great tool!
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