$4.1 million investment from Walmart supports programs that will engage employers in the service sector to develop new industry partnerships that bolster economic recovery

Washington, D.C. (March 1, 2021) – The National Fund for Workforce Solutions is awarding $50,000 to three communities – Hartford, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse – to expand and develop industry partnerships in the service sector. These awards are made possible by a $4.1 million investment from Walmart, made in 2020, to continue engaging service sector employers to improve the quality of their jobs.

The coronavirus pandemic has hit the service sector hard, with many workers and employers continuing to struggle for the better part of a year, even as much of their work has been deemed “essential.”

The $50,000 investments in the three communities will support the development of action plans to partner with local service sector employers to promote job quality in the recovery. These plans will address employer and worker needs to adapt to the changing economy with a focus on racial equity and inclusion for frontline workers.

“The coronavirus pandemic really decimated the service sector. So many people have lost their jobs or had to make tremendous sacrifice through this time,” said Tom Strong, director of employer activation at the National Fund. “Service sector employers have a unique opportunity to redesign their jobs on a foundation of equity and inclusion. Our community partners will make sure that as the recovery continues, service sector jobs provide safety, stability and opportunities for growth for frontline workers. We’re excited to see what these three communities will come up with over the next few months – and we look forward to expanding this effort to more regions in the months to come.”

Walmart’s continuing support of the National Fund has allowed the organization to expand job quality work into the service sector, including the most recent iteration of the Innovation Fund.

Additionally, the National Fund will be launching the new Service Sector Learning Lab, where the grantees, and other National Fund communities, will learn and share best practices, business models, and strategies to support service sector employers on their job quality journey.

Hartford, Connecticut

The Workforce Solutions Collaborative of Metro Hartford will focus their efforts on creating a new industry partnership focused on warehousing and logistics.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Pittsburgh Area Workforce Funders Collaborative is committed to building an equitable pipeline into the financial services industry through the development of an industry partnership.

Syracuse, New York

Work Train Collaborative will work to move individuals who lost their jobs in the hospitality industry to in-demand digital customer service and logistics positions.

 

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About National Fund for Workforce Solutions

The National Fund for Workforce Solutions invests in a dynamic national network of 30+ communities taking a demand-driven, evidence-based approach to workforce development. At the local level, the National Fund’s partner organizations contribute resources, test ideas, collect data, and improve public policies and business practices that help all workers succeed and employers have the talent they need to compete. Learn more at www.NationalFund.org.