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National Fund Newsletter - October 2020

10.30.20  •  by Josh Enoch  •   Newsletter


Workforce Equity in the Jobs and Opportunity Reports

Even as the workforce grows more diverse, people of color face barriers to good jobs and economic mobility. With support from JPMorgan Chase, the National Fund for Workforce Solutions and PolicyLink are studying current and future labor market trends and identifying strategies to remove barriers, build viable career pathways, and create better opportunities to good jobs and advancement for vulnerable populations.

We sat down with the team leading this work to learn more about what we can expect from the Jobs and Opportunity Reports.


President’s Corner

As we hurtle toward an incredibly consequential election, now just days away, we must face the tragedy of another police killing of a Black man. Walter Wallace was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis when he was killed by police in Philadelphia on Monday. These killings weigh on our collective spirit, but they are especially hard on the communities where they happen — not only the tragedy of death, but the anger, unrest, and the calls for justice.

Nationally, we are facing a time of grief and trauma. There is trauma caused by the ongoing health pandemic. There is trauma caused by racial unrest. And there is trauma caused by the loss of employment.

The trauma workers are dealing with is going to affect the workplace — if it hasn’t already. Employers may see changes in workers’ performance, productivity, attendance, and health. When employers build in trauma-informed management and employment strategies, they can help see their employees through a difficult time. There are many ways for companies to support their workers. We are working to develop strategies for addressing trauma as part of broader workforce development practices. We will share these strategies across our network and look forward to learning from each other as we begin to implement them.


Job Quality Learning Reports

Advancing Careers in Retail

The retail sector has a giant footprint in today’s workforce – employing one in ten U.S. workers, of which about half are women and more than a third are people of color. The sector is often described as a “flat pyramid,” with a narrow career ladder and limited opportunities for advancement.

With support from Walmart, the National Fund co-invested in three communities – Baltimore, Des Moines, and Seattle – to learn how to scale industry partnerships in the retail sector and integrate job quality strategies. Our newest report highlights the key lessons learned from the initiative, including the unique challenges and opportunities for engaging the retail sector, and next steps for future work in retail and the broader service sector.


Meet Tom Strong, Director of Employer Activation

I’ve worked in a variety of roles in workforce development over the last dozen years. One constant is my passionate interest in job quality, especially what motivates employers to build businesses that value people. Much of my professional life has been spent working directly with employers of choice to better understand their systems, mindsets, and business models.

I’ve done that as a funder at the Hitachi Foundation, where I led research and implementation projects about “pioneer employers” who based their business model on investment in frontline workers.

I’ve also done it as a practitioner, working directly with employers who sought to implement new management approaches that empower workers, develop financial literacy, and share profits, while also improving the bottom line.

Finally, I have considerable experience working with National Fund collaboratives, including Incourage in Central Wisconsin and CareerRise in my hometown of Atlanta.

I am excited to join the National Fund team, get to know the network and help you in your work with your employer partners.


CareerSTAT Webinar Series

How to Find and Secure Grant Funds to Support Workforce Development in COVID-19 Recovery

With no nationwide effort to get the coronavirus pandemic under control, healthcare organizations continue to face decreased revenue, disrupted pipeline programs, and too many vacancies in high-demand positions.

One thing is clear: the need to leverage funding streams and partnerships to invest in workforce development strategy is critical to a successful recovery.

The latest CareerSTAT webinar featured presentations from leaders in New Orleans and Des Moines on how to leverage private and public dollars to support workforce development strategy in a COVID recovery landscape. Watch the recording of this webinar below.


Breaking Down the Election: Prospects for Skills and Inclusive Recovery

Join the National Skills Coalition November 12, 2020 for Breaking Down the Election: Prospects for Skills and Inclusive Recovery. This exciting webinar will bring together workforce leaders from across the country, including CareerSTAT Vice Chair Gerard Camacho, to discuss building a skills-based agenda for an inclusive economic recovery.

What to expect from the event?

  • The release of NSC’s federal policy agenda for achieving the 8 goals in our Skills for An Inclusive Economic Recovery.
  • Analysis of how skills training weighed with voters and what the election results mean for opportunities to advance this agenda.
  • Hear from members of NSC’s national, state, business, and worker networks who will be advocating for this agenda in the coming year.
  • Learn about the opportunities that NSC will be providing for you to engage with your elected representatives in D.C. over the next six months.


Success Across the Network

News from the Field

October is manufacturing month. Learn how CareerEdge Funders Collaborative has been able to partner with a local employer and the regional technical college to provide on-the-job training, apprenticeship, and skills training to employees at Atlantic Mold. Watch the video here.

Media and Articles

  • The Gazette – Seeing the Pandemic as a Workforce ‘Opportunity’
  • WBRC – Mercedes-Benz Granted Tax Abatement To Build Logistics Facility Near Vance Plant
  • WTOK– West Alabama Works To Hold Community Outreach Events
  • WTOK – West Alabama Works! Visits Livingston
  • Martinsville Bulletin – Hospital, Institute Partner on Sonography Program
  • WVUA 23 – West Alabama Works Bringing Career Services To Region
  • Canton Repository – Strengthening Stark Career Connect Matches Workers With Jobs
  • Cleveland Plain Dealer – Ohio To Work in Cuyahoga County Shows How Radical Collaborations Can Seed Change: Ethan Karp
  • WBRC – West Alabama Works Job Mobile Unit To Visit Underserved Communities
  • Intelligent Transport – “No Car, No Job; No Job, No Car”: Tackling an Economic Paradox
  • Sarasota Magazine – CareerEdge Offers Tuition-Free Plumbing Fast-Track Training
  • Cleveland Plain Dealer – Cleveland Innovation Project’s Vision for Region’s Future Focuses on Key Sectors To Reach Economic, Inclusion Goals by 2030
  • Selma Times-Journal – West Alabama Works Hits 3 Counties in 3 Days
  • Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Fast-Track Trainings Create Economic Opportunity in Disadvantaged Communities
  • Tuscaloosa News – County Career Tech Program To Receive $389,000 Grant From West Alabama Works
  • WBRC – West Alabama Works Donates $380,000+ To Tuscaloosa Co. Schools
  • Triad Business Journal – Fast 50 — No. 13: Machine Specialties INC.
  • WBRC – Brookwood Career Tech Program Gets Largest Donation in Its History
  • Sarasota Magazine – Tidewell Receives CareerEdge Grant to Fund Hospice Certification for RNs, CNAs
  • SRQ Magazine – Tidewell Receives CareerEdge Grant to Fund Hospice Certification for RNs, CNAs
  • WVUA 23 – Tuscaloosa County Schools Receive Generous Donation From West Alabama Works
  • AL.com – Here’s How Alabama Can Help Rural Economies: Black Belt 2020
  • Alabama Political Reporter – Report: Alabama’s Black Belt Lags Behind State in Economic Prospects
  • WBRC – Black Belt Lags in Business and GDP Growth


 

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