July 23, 2021, WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Fund for Workforce Solutions announced today that it is supporting governors in their efforts to catalyze an equitable post-pandemic recovery for American workers through the National Governors Association (NGA) Workforce Innovation Network.
The National Fund is among more than 20 new philanthropic supporters, subject matter experts, practitioners, and industry leaders that have signed on as supporters of the Workforce Innovation Network to assist governors and state leaders in their workforce innovation efforts through future grants and technical assistance.
Founded in January with support from the Cognizant Foundation, the NGA Workforce Innovation Network is a nonpartisan learning and action collaborative for state leaders committed to building an inclusive and resilient workforce and leading an equitable post-pandemic recovery. In March, NGA announced that Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, and Washington joined the first cohort of grantees focused on coordinating service delivery to help job seekers have the supports and skills they need to get back to work.
“In this ‘post-pandemic’ recovery, all eyes are on workers,” said Amanda Cage, president and CEO of The National Fund. “We hope to see significant federal investment in workforce development, and now is the time to think innovatively about how we do things to ensure an equitable recovery. The National Fund’s national implementation network has a wealth of knowledge and experience that it can lend to the NGA Workforce Innovation Network.”
Building on the success of the first grantee cohort, NGA has secured additional partnerships with Intel, Microsoft, and Western Governors University to expand the network, including future grantmaking and technical assistance.
Through this new funding, as well as continued support from the Cognizant Foundation, NGA will announce a second round of grant funding from the Workforce Innovation Fund this year and deliver ongoing support to current grantees in partnership with new providers. A future request for proposals will focus on closing digital equity gaps and ensuring every adult has the digital skills needed to learn, work, and thrive in the modern economy.
NGA will convene all network advisors to amplify one another’s resources, tools, and programs; exchange best practices; and collaborate in support of governors and state leaders who are committed to transforming their workforce systems for a more equitable and prosperous future.
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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.
