National Fund for Workforce Solutions announces that Chicago, Philadelphia and Wichita have been selected as grantees for the three-year on-the-job training program to bolster manufacturing workforce.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 5th, 2018) – Today, The National Fund for Workforce Solutions announced the first three of five workforce collaboratives that will be receiving $75,000 each in grants to address small and mid-sized suppliers’ need for skilled workers in manufacturing. The grants, made possible by The Boeing Company, will build off of The National Fund’s 2012-2014 Boeing On-The-Job (OJT) Project which identified the best practices of job training and career advancement in manufacturing.
The three-year investment will assist local suppliers’ goals to train new and incumbent workers to provide their workforce with in-demand advanced manufacturing skills to remain competitive. The training programs will help manufacturing companies fill vacancies while advancing current employees to higher skilled and higher paying positions. The program will prioritize racial and gender diversity in the workforce and will develop employer leaders to commit to an internally supported career development system.
“Unemployment in manufacturing is hitting record lows nationwide,” said Fred Dedrick, CEO and President of The National Fund. “Employers are struggling to fill openings and workers want family-sustaining jobs with the opportunity to grow professionally. With Boeing’s OJT Project, the National Fund can help their regional collaboratives work to assist both employers’ needs for skilled staff and ensure that workers are given access to quality jobs. This grant attracts a skilled, diverse and dedicated workforce and in turn, companies can increase their productivity and competitiveness. Everyone benefits in the long and short term.”
A total of five cities will be participating in the program and two additional cities will be selected in 2019. Each collaborative will be designing job training strategies tailored to their labor market, employer partner and unique needs.
Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance collaborates with employers and other workforce stakeholders in the Chicago region to improve job preparedness for workers. The Alliance supports and expands workforce partnerships that improve the access and effectiveness of job training programs that can be sustained by the employers. The Alliance prioritizes quality jobs that provide good wages, successful companies and a strong economy.
Job Opportunity Investment Network (JOIN), is a public-private partnership in Philadelphia that connects philanthropy, community organizations, government and employers. JOIN ensures that Philadelphia’s low-skilled workforce has access to valuable job training programs that connect the region’s employers to dedicated employees. JOIN believes that the solution to bridging the skills gap while developing a competitive workforce for employers is workforce partnerships.
The Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas operates PACES (Preparation for Advanced Career Employment System) to individuals for manufacturing careers by designing training programs and partnerships to provide workers with job skills needed by employers, working to build a skilled and dedicated workforce pipeline. PACES’ mission is to improve access to good jobs for both unemployed and underemployed workers in south central Kansas.
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About National Fund for Workforce Solutions
The National Fund for Workforce Solutions is a national network promoting economic opportunity and prosperous communities through investment and innovation. Based in Washington D.C., the National Fund partners with philanthropy, employers, workers, public and private community organizations, and more than 30 regional collaboratives to invest in skills, improve systems, and generate good jobs. The National Fund supports civic and business leaders in promoting evidence-based practices and policies that build shared prosperity. Learn more about the National Fund and its local partners at www.NationalFund.org.
About The Boeing Company:
Through purposeful investments, employee engagement and thoughtful advocacy efforts, Boeing and its employees support innovative partnerships and programs that align with the company’s strategic objectives, create value and help build better communities worldwide. Boeing’s efforts are focused on improving access to globally competitive learning, contributing to workforce and skills development, and supporting our military and veteran communities.
Chicago-based Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. A top U.S. exporter, the company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in 150 countries.
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