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Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb, the Markle Foundation, and Microsoft Announce Skillful Indiana: Bringing New Investment, Partners and Innovation to Indiana’s Next Level Workforce Agenda With support provided by Walmart, and in partnership with Lumina Foundation, Purdue University and Purdue Extension, Skillful Indiana will bring practical tools to connect Hoosiers to good jobs in a changing economy. Skillful Indiana will help people identify high-demand jobs and the skills they need to fill them, and help employers find and keep the talent they need to grow; strengthen the skills of career advisors across the state; and collaborate with local workforce development boards to support Hoosiers and Indiana businesses. INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Eric J. Holcomb, Indiana Governor; Zoë Baird, CEO and President of the Markle Foundation; Beth Cobert, CEO of Skillful (a Markle initiative); and Mary Snapp, Head of Microsoft Philanthropies announced that Skillful will begin operations in Indiana, bringing investment, training, tools and innovative methods to augment Governor Holcomb’s Next Level workforce development plan. The launch of Skillful Indiana brings together the Markle Foundation, Microsoft Philanthropies, LinkedIn, Walmart, Lumina Foundation, Purdue University and Purdue Extension with the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet and local workforce development boards to create better pathways to good jobs for Hoosiers. Skillful Indiana will work with Indiana businesses and the state’s innovative educational community to equip Hoosiers with marketable skills that are the new currency of the digital economy. First established in Colorado, Skillful is dedicated to enabling all Americans – particularly those without a four-year college degree – to secure good jobs in a changing economy. Skillful engages employers, educators, policymakers and workforce development organizations to create a labor market in which skills are valued, and people can more easily access the information and education they need to secure good jobs. Skillful, with its strategic partner Microsoft, selected Indiana for expansion after careful consideration as it possesses critical elements and needed infrastructure for success, including strong support from the Governor and Indiana’s workforce ecosystem. “Adding Skillful to the Hoosier state is a game-changer when it comes to skilling up our workforce,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Here in Indiana, we’ve built a strong pro-growth business climate and have a fully-funded infrastructure plan, but we also need to ensure every Hoosier is prepared for this ever-changing economy while attracting more people to fill the jobs of tomorrow. Skillful Indiana will serve as a force multiplier—strengthening and building upon workforce efforts already underway to connect people with the skills they need for high-wage, high-demand jobs.” “Markle is bringing Skillful’s unique model to Indiana to help create a labor market that provides equal dignity for people who have developed skills in many different ways: on the job, from neighbors, in a related job in another sector or from more formal post-secondary education,” said Zoë Baird, CEO and President, the Markle Foundation. “By helping employers show the skills they need, and everyone to see more clearly the great ways to train at every stage of a career, we will open up opportunity to thousands more Hoosiers. Employers will see the talent in their own communities and workers will be inspired to become lifelong learners who can keep pace with the evolving needs of a digital economy.” In the next decade, Indiana will need more than 1 million skilled workers to fill open jobs and support economic growth. Working with its national and local partners, Skillful is tailoring Skillful Indiana’s programs to the unique strengths and needs of the state: employer programs for Indiana’s distinctive mix of large and small, urban and rural employers; education initiatives tailored to Indiana’s innovative higher education system, and investment in career coaches as an important support for Hoosiers navigating educational and job opportunities. Skillful will bring to Indiana innovations developed in its first state, Colorado, as well as those shared within the Skillful State Network, a coalition of 20 governors, including Governor Holcomb, who have made innovation in workforce development a state priority. The Skillful State Network was born out of the tremendous interest Skillful received from other states based on its work in Colorado. The Skillful State Network provides a forum to share Skillful’s approach, tools and assets quickly. States like Indiana have always been laboratories for innovation and today are leading the transformation to the digital economy. “We are incredibly impressed with the extraordinary work going on in Indiana. With Skillful Indiana, we see a tremendous opportunity to bring additional resources, national partners and road-tested programming to contribute to the exciting things happening here,” said Beth Cobert, Skillful CEO. “Microsoft and LinkedIn partnered with Markle to develop the Skillful model in order to ensure more Americans can benefit from the digital economy.Working with our Indiana partners, Skillful Indiana will advance a new mindset of lifelong learning and increase opportunities for jobseekers to gain necessary skills and connections to employers,” said Mary Snapp, Head of Microsoft Philanthropies. Skillful Indiana will focus on accelerating a skills-based labor market through the following: Working with employers to expand opportunities for people of diverse backgrounds and deepen their talent pool of qualified candidates by helping them to recruit and hire with a focus on skills, as well as encouraging employers to invest in skill building for their employees on the job, at colleges or online. Working with Indiana’s innovative higher education community so that all are better able to anticipate economic shifts and be responsive to them, as well as supporting the advancement of skills-based credential and data platforms. Investing in the professional development of career coaches at organizations like WorkOne, Purdue Extensions and local non-profits so that they are better equipped to connect Hoosiers to effective training opportunities and quality jobs. Applying data-driven insights and technology tools to all of its efforts so that the very same technologies that are disrupting the economy are put to good use in adapting to it. For example, online tools to create skills-based job postings and to assess the skills of job applicants. “In collaborating with Hoosier employers, current workers, students, parents and teachers, we’re eliminating a one-size-fits-all mentality and embracing new ways of attacking the workforce challenge—like bringing Skillful’s expertise and resources to better prepare a robust, skilled workforce,” said Danny Lopez, Chairman, Governor’s Workforce Cabinet. Find more information on Skillful Indiana, Skillful, and the Skillful State Network. For media inquiries, please contact Collin Roberts, Edelman for The Markle Foundation, 206.227.3439, [email protected] or Courtney Arango, Communications Director, Office of Governor Holcomb, 317.914.3787, [email protected] About The Markle Foundation The Markle Foundation works to realize the potential of technology to achieve breakthroughs in addressing some of the nation’s most pressing issues. Markle challenges itself and diverse partners to deploy their varied expertise to identify solutions and achieve systemic change. Today as advanced technology and automation change the very nature of work, Markle’s priority is advancing solutions towards a skills-based labor market that will enable Americans to transition to the opportunities of the digital economy. Markle’s workforce initiatives include Skillfuland theRework America Task Force. They follow Markle’s success in creating the policy and technology architecture that has enabled improvements in healthcare, national security, and access to the Internet. For more information, visitmarkle.org, [email protected] @ReworkAmericaon Twitter, and read our book,America's Moment. About Skillful, Skillful Colorado, Skillful Indiana and the Skillful State Network Skillful, a non-profit initiative of the Markle Foundation, is dedicated to enabling all Americans – particularly those without a four-year college degree – to secure good jobs in a changing economy. In partnership with Microsoft and others, Skillful is developing skills-based training and employment practices in collaboration with state governments, local employers, educators and workforce development organizations. Skillful and its partners are working to create a labor market in which skills are valued, and people can more easily access the information and education they need to keep pace with technology’s impact on work. Skillful currently operates in two states, Skillful Colorado and Skillful Indiana, bringing investment, training, tools and innovative methods to augment local workforce development efforts. It formed and facilitates the Skillful State Network, a collaboration among 20 state governors to accelerate the development and deployment of effective skills-based practices to transform their labor markets. Skillful is grateful for support provided by Walmart, and its partnerships with the states of Colorado and Indiana, Microsoft, Lumina Foundation, Purdue University and Purdue Extensions and many great local organizations committed to strengthening their local workforce and creating better opportunities for all. About Microsoft Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. For more information, press only: Microsoft Media Relations, WE Communications for Microsoft, +1 (425) 638-7777, [email protected]
Laura Taylor-Kale researches, writes and speaks about the impact of technological and demographic change on organizations. From 2017-2018, she was an International Affairs Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) where she was deputy director of CFR’s independent task force on the future of the U.S. workforce and co-author of the task force’s published report“The Work Ahead: Machines, Skills and U.S. Leadership in the Twenty-First Century.”Laura is also a 2018 Zhi-Xing Eisenhower Fellow and traveled to China to meet with business and policy leaders to study Chinese innovation in artificial intelligence. Laura served in the Obama Administration as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing in the International Trade Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce from 2016-2017. In this position, she managed a team of fifty international trade specialists and oversaw a broad portfolio of programs and trade policies aimed at increasing global opportunities and the international competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers. Prior to her role at the Commerce Department, Laura served as a senior advisor to the President and CEO of theOverseas Private Investment Corporation. Laura joined the Obama Administration from the World Bank where she held positions as an advisor to the U.S. executive director and special assistant to the vice president for sustainable development. From 2003-2012, Laura was a career Foreign Service officer in the U.S. Department of State where she was posted in Afghanistan, Cote d’Ivoire, India, and the Bureau of Economics and Business Affairs. She holds a BA in Economics and Anthropology from Smith College, an MPA with a concentration in demography and international economic development from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, and an MBA in finance and management from the New York University Stern School of Business. She is currently a PhD student at Stanford University’s Department of Management Science and Engineering in the Center for Work, Technology and Organizations. Her research is focused on augmentation and the impact on organizational structure of human collaboration with artificial intelligence enabled machines.
Joseph Fuller is a Professor of Management Practice in General Management and co-leads the school’s initiative, Managing the Future of Work. He currently teaches the General Management Processes and Action course in the second year of the MBA program and formerly headed The Entrepreneurial Manager course in the program’s first year. A 1981 graduate of the school, Joe was a founder and first employee of the global consulting firm, Monitor Group, now Monitor-Deloitte. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of its commercial consulting operations until 2006 and remained a Senior Advisor to the firm until its acquisition by Deloitte in 2012. During his three decades in consulting, Fuller worked with senior executives and policymakers on a wide variety of issues related to corporate strategy and national competitiveness. He has particularly deep experience in industries with a heavy reliance on technology, such as life sciences, ICT and the defense and aerospace industries. He is currently researching the evolution of the role of the CEOs and the C-suite in public companies.
Leighanne Levensaler is senior vice president of corporate strategy at Workday, where she leads the organization responsible for developing integrated business strategies. In addition, Leighanne is managing director and co-head for Workday Ventures, where she oversees Workday’s investments in emerging enterprise technologies. Leighanne brings 20 years of experience and an exceptional level of expertise in technology and business to her current role. Leighanne previously led product management for Workday’s applications including Workday Financial Management and Workday Human Capital Management. Prior to joining Workday in 2009, Leighanne was principal analyst and director of talent management research at Bersin & Associates. Before that, she led the learning consulting practice at SystemLink Enterprise Solutions, and previously held positions at SmartForce, Edutrek International/AIU, and Deloitte Consulting. Leighanne has served on the board of directors for Landit since 2015, and has been on the employer advisory board for Jobcase since 2016. In addition, Leighanne currently sits on the advisory committee for BSA’s foundation, Software.org. Leighanne holds a master’s degree in human resource development from Georgia State University and a bachelor’s degree in education from Clemson University. She was named one of the “Most Influential Women in the Bay Area” by the San Francisco Business Times in 2014 and 2015, and is a member of the 2012 Class of Henry Crown Fellows at the Aspen Institute.
Air Date: 07/11/2018 In this special episode, recorded live at FORUM 2018, Ron Painter, President/CEO of the National Association of Workforce Board (NAWB) is joined by Beth Cobert, CEO of Skillful. Discover the importance of building a skills-based labor market and the efforts that Skillful has been taking to achieve that goal Courtesy of National Association of Workforce Board
Panelists: Zoë Baird, CEO and President, Markle Foundation John Hickenlooper, Governor, Colorado Thomas J. Wilson, Chairman and CEO, The Allstate Corporation Moderator: Gary Pinkus, Senior Partner, McKinsey and Company Closing the Skills Gap – Why the Jobs Crisis is Actually a Skills Crisis (And How to Fix It) For all the anxiety around the job-destroying potential of technology, the world is not facing a jobs crisis. The real threat is an unprecedented skills crisis. In this discussion, participants will explore the magnitude of the retraining efforts required, the economic impact at stake, and how both the private sector and the government can respond to support the workforce of the future.
Spencer Overton is the President of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, which was founded in 1970 as the Black think tank. Currently, the Joint Center is focused on developing solutions to diversify congressional staff and to equip workers with skills to succeed in the evolving economy. Spencer chaired Government Reform Policy on the 2008 Obama presidential campaign, and on the Obama transition, he served as a lawyer in the General Counsel's office and as a member of the Technology, Innovation, and Government Reform (TIGER) policy team. During the Administration, Spencer served as Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Legal Policy, the “think tank” of the Department of Justice. After leaving the Department, Spencer held several roles on the 2012 Obama National Finance Committee, including teaching fundraising and chairing a fundraising program that raised $25 million. Spencer is also a tenured Professor of Law at George Washington University, where he teaches race and the law, property law, and election law. He is a co-author of 5G, Smart Cities, and Communities of Color (2017), and the author of the book Stealing Democracy: The New Politics of Voter Suppression and several academic and popular articles. Through his work on national election law commissions, Spencer helped shape the contours of the modern voter ID debate and he led an effort that resulted in Iowa restoring voting rights to 98,000 Iowans who had completed their sentences. Spencer is an honors graduate of both Hampton University and Harvard Law School, he clerked for U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Damon J. Keith, and he represented large companies for four years practicing law at the firm Debevoise & Plimpton.
Liz Shuler is the Secretary-Treasurer and chief financial officer of the AFL-CIO, the second top-level officer for the federation, the first woman elected to the position, and the youngest woman to sit on the federation's Executive Council. Liz started her career in Portland, Oregon as a proud union organizer and local union activist with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 125. Prior to her election as Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, Liz worked her way up through the ranks of the IBEW honing her mobilizing, policy, legislative and leadership skills, winning critical labor and progressive legislative fights on the west coast, and ultimately gaining executive leadership at the international headquarters in Washington, D.C. Liz's passion for broadening the union movement drives her leadership to reach to the rising American electorate - young workers, women, people of color, and immigrants - and re-introduce unions to America. In addition to overseeing the federation's operations and finances, Liz leads at the AFL-CIO on initiatives around the future of work, workforce development and training, industrial union councils, and women and young workers' economic empowerment. Liz is committed to busting myths to show the labor movement's diversity and innovative approaches to the workplace of the future, and the meaningful improvements a union voice on the job can bring to working families and our economy. Liz chairs both the AFL-CIO Executive Council Committees on Finance and Women Workers, and represents the AFL-CIO on the boards of the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, the International Trade Union Confederation, the National Women's Law Center, Global Fairness Initiative, and the Solidarity Center, among many others.
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, the Markle Foundation, and 20 States Launch the Skillful State Network; Introduce Skillful State Playbook Governors of 20 founding member states join together to share and accelerate workforce innovation. Announcement marks national expansion of Skillful, an initiative to create a skills-based labor market that better serves all Americans in a rapidly changing economy. DENVER and NEW YORK – Today, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, Zoë Baird, CEO and president of the Markle Foundation, announced that twenty governors are joining together to form the Skillful State Network, a collaboration to transform the U.S. labor market at scale to one that is skills-based, in which people can demonstrate or obtain the skills needed for good digital economy jobs. The Network marks the national expansion of Skillful, a Markle Foundation initiative incubated in Colorado, which leverages data and the very technologies that are disrupting the economy to achieve a skills-based labor market where employers are able to find the talent they need and individuals can continuously acquire new skills and keep up with the pace of change. Founding governors are committed to sharing what works and have made partnership and innovation in workforce development a state priority to enable their residents and local employers to thrive in the digital economy. “As governors, we are joining together around a shared commitment to support a variety of career paths to good-paying jobs, and expand the talent pool for employers who need skilled workers to grow,” said Governor John Hickenlooper. “We twenty governors, Republican and Democrat, are serious about transforming our labor markets in ways that will benefit our nation for decades to come. In a short time, Colorado’s partnership with Skillful has provided incredible value in supporting a skills-based, industry-driven talent marketplace.” “Millions of Americans need to get connected to the skills and the jobs of our fast-changing digital economy,” said Baird. “The Skillful State Network was born out of the tremendous interest we’ve received from other states based on our work in Colorado. Governors have asked me to bring Skillful to their state and forming the Skillful State Network is a way to share our approach, tools and assets quickly. It also allows all of us to build on the great work being done in these states. States have always been laboratories for innovation and today are leading the transformation to the digital economy.” The Skillful State Playbook, introduced today with the Network, lays out the steps needed to create a skills-based labor market. The Playbook offers tools and resources jointly developed by Skillful, the state of Colorado, and numerous employers, tech companies including Microsoft and LinkedIn, educators, and community organizations. The free and public availability of the Skillful State Playbook establishes a model for the open sharing of best practices. Skillful State Network members may tailor or improve tools in the Playbook and add their own tools and resources to the Network’s portfolio. The Skillful State Network will support transformation at a scale and pace not possible through individual state actions. The Network will elevate and advance practices and ideas that states can adopt to achieve their workforce goals, including aligning education with industry; providing robust data to jobseekers; or training employers on skills-based practices. The Network is open to all interested states. “In just our formative conversations, I am so inspired by the variety of programs as well as cutting-edge pilots each Skillful State Network member is bringing to the table,” said Beth Cobert, CEO of Skillful. “Each state is unique, yet shares a commitment to collaboration, experimentation, and progress.” Skillful State Network members will have the opportunity to: access the Skillful State Network portfolio of tools and data learn how to implement the tools and assets featured in the Skillful State Playbook share and learn from the unique insights drawn from each other’s efforts foster innovative partnership opportunities hone methods of engagement within their labor markets receive advisory support from Skillful staff gain access to Markle’s cross-sector network of national leaders and partners For more information on the Skillful State Network, go here. Those states interested in joining the network should contact Skillful CEO Beth Cobert at [email protected], (212) 713-7633. Download the Skillful State Playbook here. Find more information about Skillful here. For media inquiries, please contact Markle Foundation’s Claudia Husemann at (917) 536-5370 or Mary Allen at (212) 713-7632 or [email protected] About The Markle Foundation The Markle Foundation works to realize the potential of technology to achieve breakthroughs in addressing some of the nation’s most pressing issues. Markle challenges itself and diverse partners to deploy their varied expertise to identify solutions and achieve systemic change. Today as advanced technology and automation change the very nature of work, Markle’s priority is advancing solutions towards a skills-based labor market that will enable Americans to transition to the opportunities of the digital economy. Markle’s workforce initiatives include Skillful and the Rework America Task Force. They follow Markle’s success in creating the policy and technology architecture that has enabled improvements in healthcare, national security, and access to the Internet. For more information, visit markle.org, follow @MarkleFdn and @ReworkAmerica onTwitter, and read our book, America's Moment. About Governor John Hickenlooper and Colorado John Hickenlooper is the 42nd governor of Colorado. Since taking office in 2011, the Governor and his team have endeavored to make Colorado the most pro-business state, with the highest environmental and ethical standards. Learn more at www.colorado.gov. About Skillful Skillful, a non-profit initiative of the Markle Foundation with many partners, is working to achieve a skills-based labor market to help millions of Americans overcome barriers to obtaining better-paying jobs in today’s digital economy. Skillful helps employers achieve the workforce they need by providing data, tools, and resources that enable the adoption of skills-based hiring and training practices. Coaches and digital services enable job seekers to learn what skills are in demand and access training at any stage of their career. At the same time, Skillful aligns employers and educators so that their training programs teach the skills required to succeed in today’s economy. Download Release THE SKILLFUL STATE NETWORK FOUNDING MEMBERS Colorado—Gov. John Hickenlooper (D)“Governors are terrific tradesman. We often see good ideas in one state and steal them for our own, only for those ideas to return to the originating state improved,” said Governor John Hickenlooper. “The Skillful State Playbook is just the tool states need to guide them in tapping the benefits of Skillful programs and partnerships.” Representative Workplace Initiative: Colorado Invests in Coaches The Governor’s Coaching Corps, a partnership of Skillful and the State of Colorado, is an intensive, 8-month program that recognizes the vital role career coaches play bridging the gap between jobseekers and employers, supporting economic growth across the state, and guiding professional advancement for thousands of Coloradans. The Coaching Corps gives coaches the tools and training they need to better serve jobseekers in our rapidly changing labor market and to invest in their own personal and professional development. For additional information: Jacque Montgomery, [email protected], Direct: 303.866.4361 Arkansas—Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R)“Skillful is an innovative program, and I am pleased that Arkansas is one of the founding members of the Skillful State Network. In Arkansas, we offer training that complements the skills and interests of Arkansans at all educational levels. Skillful will open even more opportunities for Arkansans to add to their skill set and further strengthen our workforce,” said Governor Asa Hutchinson. For additional information: Chelsea O'Kelley, [email protected], Direct: 501.682.3642 Delaware—Gov. John Carney (D)“From restructuring the way our state does economic development, to strengthening career pathways, to investing in an innovation economy, workforce development has been a top priority of my administration. We look forward to sharing best practices and learning from other states about how we can improve the way we link Delawareans to good paying jobs and sustainable, fulfilling careers,” said Governor John Carney. Representative Workplace Initiative: Today, nearly 9,000 students are enrolled in our statewide Delaware Pathways initiative, which began in 2014 with just 27 students. Delaware understands the need to invest in the workforce of tomorrow, and the Pathways program is doing just that. For additional information: Jon Starkey, [email protected], Direct: 302.256.8364 Illinois—Gov. Bruce Rauner (R)“As the State Workforce Innovation Board Co-Chair and business leader, I am excited that Governor Rauner has agreed to have Illinois be one of the founding states for the Skillful State Network. This opportunity will help Illinois learn and share best practice models with other states and be an incubator for new and innovative ideas to meet the needs of our workforce and employers in the future,” says John Rico, Illinois Workforce Innovation Board Co-Chair. Representative Workplace Initiative:The Illinois Talent Pipeline Program funds employer-led workforce strategies to train workers who can contribute to companies’ growth and success. Projects funded under this program are intended to develop sustainable work-based learning programs to help Illinois companies retain and train current and new workers. Grantees must address one or more of the following Illinois Talent Pipeline activities to be considered for funding: Projects that connect talent strategies with business needs Layoff aversion projects that support businesses and workers that are at risk of company closures or layoffs Projects that expand work-based learning opportunities including apprenticeships for targeted populations For additional information: Jacquelyn Reinke, [email protected], Direct: 312.485.8227 Indiana—Gov. Eric Holcomb (R)“Our focus in Indiana is preparing our workforce for jobs available now and in the years to come,” Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “Sharing workforce practices among Skillful State Network members and encouraging multiple pathways to success in a changing economy will strengthen our talent pool, meet employer demand and put hardworking Hoosiers in high-need, high-wage careers of the future.” Representative Workplace Initiative: Indiana Supports Training Next Level Jobs is a key pillar of Governor Holcomb’s Next Level Indiana agenda. Under his leadership with support from the General Assembly, Indiana is skilling up its workforce of today and tomorrow focusing on the high-wage, high-demand industries driving Indiana’s 21st Century economy. The Next Level Jobs initiative brings employers, workforce, K-12 and higher education leaders, and Hoosiers together by offering two different training grants targeting high-demand industries including advanced manufacturing, agriculture, building and construction, health and life sciences, IT and business services, and transportation and logistics. Together, these programs provide more than $20 million over the next two years for Hoosiers and employers for training and certifications that help Indiana meet current workforce demand. For additional information: Bob Birge, [email protected], Direct: 317.232.7472 Massachusetts—Gov. Charlie Baker (R)"Massachusetts has had a lot of success in aligning our Education, Economic, and Workforce secretariats to collectively tackle issues of employment readiness in the Commonwealth" said Governor Charlie Baker. "By working with other states to share data and best practices, we will help ensure all our citizens have the resources and training they need to access high demand jobs in an increasingly changing economy." Representative Workplace Initiative: Learn to Earn Learn to Earn is an initiative designed to connect unemployed or underemployed individuals receiving public assistance to high demand career pathways that support increased income and economic stability. The program was designed by Governor Baker's Workforce Skills Cabinet, which includes the secretariats of Education, Labor and Workforce Development, and Housing and Economic Development. This cross-secretariat initiative leverages a regional industry sector partnership model, as well as cohort-based coaching, family-focused supports, and benefits counseling. For additional information: Brendan Moss, [email protected] Montana—Gov. Steve Bullock (D)“Access to a talented and trained workforce is key for businesses in our state to thrive and right now we know that this is a challenge. I look forward to working with Skillful and the Network to share strategies and develop innovative pathways for workers to gain skills and ultimately connect employers with the workforce they need,”said Governor Steve Bullock Representative Workplace Initiative: Governor Bullock has prioritized expansion of registered apprenticeships to meet workforce demands in high-growth, high-wage occupations including health care, manufacturing, IT, financial services, and construction. Apprenticeships like the injection molding training program at West Paw Design in Bozeman, Montana’s first apprenticeship in the manufacturing industry, are customized to the employer’s needs and ensure that employees can skill-up quickly to meet the demands of a growing business. Since 2013, registered apprenticeships have increased by almost 30% with training programs available in over 70 occupations. For additional information: Marissa Perry, [email protected], Direct: 406.444.4514 New Jersey—Gov. Phil Murphy (D)“A stronger and fairer state begins with an economy that works for everyone,” Governor Murphy said. “Getting the economy right and creating jobs is a critical step toward securing a strong future for New Jersey. Our state is committed to providing all of our residents with the tools they need to get jobs, support their families, and reach their potential. We are excited to join with Skillful and bring valuable tools to job seekers in New Jersey.” Representative Workplace Initiative: New Start Career Network Governor Murphy is committed to tackling New Jersey’s nation-leading long-term unemployment rate and connecting every state resident to meaningful work. The Governor and First Lady helped found the New Start Career Network at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, which since 2015 has leveraged career coaching provided by over 250 trained volunteers, robust technology tools, community partnerships, and employer engagement to assist its more than 3,300 long-term unemployed members. The Governor plans to extend this model statewide to strengthen New Jersey’s workforce development system. For additional information: Alyana Alfaro, [email protected], Direct: 609.292.9763 North Carolina—Gov. Roy Cooper (D)“I want North Carolinians to be better educated, healthier, and have more money in their pockets so that they can live more abundant, purposeful lives,” said Governor Cooper. “The linchpin to achieving that goal is to help people get good-paying jobs to support themselves and their families. Every state is facing economic challenges and adapting their workforce systems to overcome those challenges. We are thrilled to join the Skillful Network to learn from other states innovating in workforce development and to share our challenges and successes with them as well." Representative Workplace Initiative: North Carolina is developing NCWorks Certified Career Pathways in every region of the state. With 27 so far and more in development, these employer-led pathways are a collaboration between the K-12 system, community colleges and local workforce teams to help North Carolinians get good-paying jobs in fields like healthcare, advanced manufacturing and IT. For additional information: Sadie Weiner, [email protected], Direct: 919.814.2122 North Dakota—Gov. Doug Burgum (R)“For North Dakota to reach its fullest potential, we need the skilled workforce to match a job market being disrupted by rapid technological change. Joining the Skillful State Network as a founding member presents an exciting opportunity to work with key stakeholders and learn best practices that will bolster our efforts to fill North Dakota’s 13,000 job openings by harnessing the very technology transforming our economy," said Governor Doug Burgum. Representative Workplace Initiative: Recognizing that work-based learning opportunities are instrumental to the development of 21st century workforce skills, Operation Intern is designed to expand the number of internship, work experience and apprenticeship positions with North Dakota employers in selected industries: energy, advanced manufacturing, value-added agriculture, tourism and technology-based businesses, with special emphasis on supporting start-ups in North Dakota. Employers are incented to create internship programs through matching funds. For additional information: Mike Nowatzki, [email protected], Direct: 701.328.2424 Ohio—Gov. John Kasich (R)“As the global economy transforms, so must our workforce. That requires leveraging all of our capabilities to better coordinate our industries and education as one. Over the past several years, Ohio has taken important steps to better prepare our workers, but there is still much work to be done. As a member of this network, it’s my hope that member states can leverage each and every lesson learned to ensure our nation’s workforce is prepared for the jobs of the future,” said Governor John Kasich. Representative Workplace Initiative: Ohio Recognizes Job-Ready Students Ohio high school students now can earn recognition by showing they are prepared for work. The OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal is a formal designation students can earn on their high school diplomas and transcripts indicating they have the personal strengths, strong work ethic and professional experience that businesses need. To earn the OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal, motivated high school students must demonstrate certain professional skills required for success in the workplace and work with at least three experienced and trusted mentors who validate the demonstration of these skills in school, work or the community. Students who earn the OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal are prepared to contribute value to the workplace and community. For additional information: Jon Keeling, [email protected], Direct: 614-644-0906 Oklahoma—Gov. Mary Fallin (R) “Internships and apprenticeships provide Oklahomans with a clear pathway to wealth-generating careers,” said Governor Mary Fallin. “This goal is part of my Oklahoma Works initiative, which aligns education with the critical needs of the workforce. Work-based learning allows job seekers to gain training and on-the-job experience.” Representative Workplace Initiative: Oklahoma Works In November 2017, Governor Mary Fallin established a statewide work-based learning goal to increase quality internships and apprenticeships to 20,000 by 2020. As part of this work, the first youth apprenticeship in the state was established in partnership with Dell. The program allows high school seniors to work as help-desk technicians while finishing their high school careers at a local 2-year institution that provides the necessary relevant technical instruction. Oklahoma is also working to pass legislation in 2018 to establish the first registered internship program in the country. For additional information: Michael McNutt, [email protected], Direct: 405.522.8878 Rhode Island—Gov. Gina Raimondo (D)“Rhode Island’s workforce development strategy is showing clear signs of success, but there’s more work to be done. We’re excited to partner with Skillful to refine our understanding of what’s working well here at home, and what’s working well in other states,” said Governor Gina Raimondo. Representative Workplace Initiative: Building a Pathway to Real Jobs in Rhode Island Governor Raimondo’s Real Jobs Rhode Island initiative aims to give Rhode Islanders the tools they need to succeed in the modern economy, while connecting employers in growing sectors of the state’s economy to the newly-trained employees they need to expand and thrive. A significant departure from the “train and pray” paradigm of the past, Real Jobs RI has served more than 2,100 Rhode Island workers – either training and placing unemployed Rhode Islanders or upskilling incumbent workers to give them a shot at a better job. At the same time, more than 300 Rhode Island employers – from advanced manufacturing to commercial fishing to design – have participated in Real Jobs partnerships, allowing them to customize training curricula to the specific needs of their company or industry. For additional information: Mike Raia, [email protected], Direct: 401.222.8134 South Dakota—Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R)“Workforce development is not a new challenge for South Dakota, and it’s an issue that every state faces. In recent years, we have been identifying the components of an effective workforce system and developing strategies to meet employer needs,” said Governor Dennis Daugaard. “I’m excited about the opportunity to join the Skillful State Network so we can learn from each other and share ideas to promote effective strategies.” Representative Workplace Initiative: Build Dakota Scholarship Program In 2014, Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced a $50 million partnership with the state of South Dakota and South Dakota businessman and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford to establish the Build Dakota scholarship program, which offers full scholarships for students entering high-need workforce programs at in-state technical institutes. The scholarship program also provides an opportunity for communities, economic development organizations, businesses and individuals from across the state to come together to provide meaningful solutions. The $50 million provides 300 full scholarships annually and is available to in-state and out-of-state students. Those who are awarded with the scholarship commit to stay in South Dakota to work in their field of study for three years. A board appointed by the Governor determines high-need workforce areas and administers the scholarship. For additional information: Tony Venhuizen, [email protected], Direct: 605.773.5999 Tennessee—Gov. Bill Haslam (R)“In Tennessee, we believe the best workforce development plan is an education plan. We are investing in our workforce through initiatives like Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect, so all Tennesseans have the opportunity to attend college free of tuition or fees,” Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said. “Through the Skillful State Network, we will share our successes and challenges with other states as we continue to increase the number of high-skilled Tennesseans and create a workforce prepared to meet the needs of current and future employers.” Representative Workplace Initiative: Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam in 2013 launched the Drive to 55, a workforce development initiative to increase the number of Tennesseans with a postsecondary degree or certificate to 55 percent by 2025 – the year in which at least half the jobs in state will require a degree or certificate. To help meet that goal and create pathways to education, Haslam created Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect providing all Tennesseans access to community or technical college free of tuition and fees. Today, more Tennesseans are attending college than ever before, and if the state sustains its current momentum, it is on pace to meet the Drive to 55 goal two years early. For additional information: Jennifer Donnals, [email protected], Direct: 615.253.1390 Utah—Gov. Gary Herbert (R) "Developing Utah's workforce is crucial to ensuring future success in our quickly growing state. Utah is committed to develop and enhance training programs to meet industry needs," said Gov. Gary R. Herbert. "The Skillful State Network aligns with existing state initiatives to ensure job seekers receive the skills they need to contribute to a healthy economy." Representative Workplace Initiative: Since taking office in 2009 Gov. Herbert has led the state of Utah to unprecedented economic success. Utah’s economy is one of the strongest in the nation and Forbes magazine has named Utah the best state for business six out of the last seven years. Gov. Herbert’s administration is proactive in its approach to creating jobs and strengthening the economy. In his 2017 State of the State address he announced Talent Ready Utah, an initiative designed to effectively align education with pressing workforce needs to create and fill 40,000 new high-skill, high-paying jobs in Utah by2020. Talent Ready Utah is a collaborative effort to improve both Utah’s education system and workforce. By effectively increasing industry and education partnerships, Talent Ready Utah will fill critical workforce needs while ensuring the state’s continued economic success for generations to come. For additional information: Aimee Edwards, [email protected], Direct: 801.755.3085 Vermont—Gov. Phil Scott (R) “We know that the public investments we value, and the very future of Vermont's economy, rely on growing our labor force and building a workforce with the skills and expertise for today’s jobs. I’m happy to work with this bipartisan group of governors, committed to sharing ideas and working together towards solutions that help create opportunities for Vermonters and Vermont’s businesses,” said Governor Phil Scott. Representative Workplace Initiative: Vermont Builds Strategy to Strengthen Workforce Governor Phil Scott appointed a Workforce Development Team, charged with creating an interagency workforce development plan to leverage the full assets of state government to build strategies for addressing Vermont’s labor force crisis, and advancing workforce development initiatives. This plan is a cornerstone of Governor Scott’s agenda. For additional information: Rebecca Kelley, Direct: 802.828.6403 Virginia—Gov. Ralph Northam (D) “Virginia recognizes that our residents are the driving force behind our growing economy. With FastForward, a first-of-its-kind pay-for-performance training initiative, we are investing in our people, measuring outcomes, and rewarding programs that get results,” said Virginia Governor Ralph Northam. “We look forward to sharing our experience with the Skillful State Network and learning what efforts have been successful in other states.” Representative Workplace Initiative: FastForward is a short-term workforce credential program to train Virginians for top, in-demand jobs across the Commonwealth. Most programs take between six and 12 weeks and are built so students can get their education while they work. Participants who complete their studies and receive credentials are only responsible for a third of program costs. For additional information: Ofirah Yheskel, [email protected], Direct: 804.225.4262 Washington—Gov. Jay Inslee (D)“A four-year degree isn’t the only path to a fulfilling career,” Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said. “Business leaders have told us they are looking for talent in everything from information technology to health care. We must connect students to great employers and high-quality job training.” Representative Workplace Initiative: Career Connect Washington – This new initiative will create career connections in Washington State through job shadowing, internships and apprenticeships for 29,000 students in 11 communities through $6.4 million in grant funding and innovative partnerships. These opportunities include STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning experiences, job shadows at local employers, career planning, and over 4,800 new internships, pre-apprenticeships, and registered apprenticeships. For additional information: Tara Lee, [email protected], Direct: 360.902.0632 Wisconsin—Gov. Scott Walker (R)“We need to provide Wisconsinites with the tools to succeed in both today’s and tomorrow’s economy which means developing a highly skilled workforce. Through the Skillful State Network we are joining with other Governors and other states who, like us, are thinking about our states’ future in the global economy. Here in Wisconsin, we have created the Wisconsin Career Creator, a $20 million initiative aimed at improving educational and training opportunities, and we invested in Wisconsin Fast Forward, a grant program that is working to enhance the skills of thousands of Wisconsin workers to help hundreds of Wisconsin businesses. We’re also investing in dual-enrollment, expanding youth apprenticeships, funding for high technology workshops called Fab labs, investing in scholarships for employees learning new skills and earning credentials, and job search and training resources,”said Governor Scott Walker. Representative Workplace Initiative: Wisconsin Fast Forward: a grant program to cultivate private sector job creation by helping businesses train highly skilled workers to fill openings. As of July 2017, over $21 million from the grant program had been contracted out to help train up to 19,472 workers at hundreds of Wisconsin businesses. For additional information: Amy Hasenberg, [email protected], Direct: 608.266.2839
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, the Markle Foundation, and 20 States Launch the Skillful State Network; Introduce Skillful State Playbook Governors of 20 founding member states join together to share and accelerate workforce innovation. Announcement marks national expansion of Skillful, an initiative to create a skills-based labor market that better serves all Americans in a rapidly changing economy. DENVER and NEW YORK - February 15, 2018 - Today, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, Zoë Baird, CEO and president of the Markle Foundation, and 19 of the nation’s governors announced the formation of the Skillful State Network, a collaboration to transform the U.S. labor market at scale to one that is skills-based, in which people can demonstrate or obtain the skills needed for good digital economy jobs. The Network marks the national expansion of Skillful, a Markle Foundation initiative incubated in Colorado, which leverages data and the very technologies that are disrupting the economy to achieve a skills-based labor market where employers are able to find the talent they need and individuals can continuously acquire new skills and keep up with the pace of change. Founding governors are committed to sharing what works and have made partnership and innovation in workforce development a state priority to enable their residents and local employers to thrive in the digital economy. “As governors, we are joining together around a shared commitment to support a variety of career paths to good-paying jobs, and expand the talent pool for employers who need skilled workers to grow,” said Governor John Hickenlooper. “We twenty governors, Republican and Democrat, are serious about transforming our labor markets in ways that will benefit our nation for decades to come. In a short time, Colorado’s partnership with Skillful has provided incredible value in supporting a skills-based, industry-driven talent marketplace.” “Millions of Americans need to get connected to the skills and the jobs of our fast-changing digital economy,” said Baird. “The Skillful State Network was born out of the tremendous interest we’ve received from other states based on our work in Colorado. Governors have asked me to bring Skillful to their state and forming the Skillful State Network is a way to share our approach, tools and assets quickly. It also allows all of us to build on the great work being done in these states. States have always been laboratories for innovation and today are leading the transformation to the digital economy.” The Skillful State Playbook, introduced today with the Network, lays out the steps needed to create a skills-based labor market. The Playbook offers tools and resources jointly developed by Skillful, the state of Colorado, and numerous employers, tech companies including Microsoft and LinkedIn, educators, and community organizations. The free and public availability of the Skillful State Playbook establishes a model for the open sharing of best practices. Skillful State Network members may tailor or improve tools in the Playbook and add their own tools and resources to the Network’s portfolio. The Skillful State Network will support transformation at a scale and pace not possible through individual state actions. The Network will elevate and advance practices and ideas that states can adopt to achieve their workforce goals, including aligning education with industry; providing robust data to jobseekers; or training employers on skills-based practices. The Network is open to all interested states. “In just our formative conversations, I am so inspired by the variety of programs as well as cutting-edge pilots each Skillful State Network member is bringing to the table,” said Beth Cobert, CEO of Skillful. “Each state is unique, yet shares a commitment to collaboration, experimentation, and progress.” Skillful State Network members will have the opportunity to: • access the Skillful State Network portfolio of tools and data • learn how to implement the tools and assets featured in the Skillful State Playbook • share and learn from the unique insights drawn from each other’s efforts • foster innovative partnership opportunities • hone methods of engagement within their labor markets • receive advisory support from Skillful staff • gain access to Markle’s cross-sector network of national leaders and partners
Byron was inspired by a diverse set of experiences to conceive and co-found [email protected] From his large extended family to a diverse range of friends in his "hometowns" of Detroit, Michigan and Phoenix, Arizona, he knows so many people who found themselves stuck, unable to contribute their full talents, nor to be rewarded for them. As an economist, he sees this waste of talent as a classic market failure. From his extensive work advising businesses, he knows the internal processes, constraints and risk aversion that shape employer behavior. In his public service, he has seen both the catalytic possibilities and the significant limits of workforce policy solutions. He has seen heroic non-profit efforts achieve inclusion but fall short of scale. Byron has never met a Mayor or Governor of either party who doesn't want to bring good jobs to her or his community, and is struck by the massive and inclusive economic benefits of re-wiring the labor market. Prior to co-founding [email protected], Byron served for 2 years in the White House as Deputy Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, where his policy portfolio included job creation and labor markets, skills and workforce policies, innovation, investment, infrastructure, transportation and goods movement. Until 2013, Byron was a senior partner at McKinsey & Company in Washington DC and in Los Angeles, where he was elected Principal in 1999 and Director in 2005. Over 20 years at McKinsey, he worked primarily in the fields of technology & communications, information & media, services-based businesses, education, economic development, and innovation, leading McKinsey’s High Tech Services sector from 2002 to 2006, and its global Social Sector from 2007 to 2012. He was also co-author of several McKinsey Global Institute reports, including Changing the Fortunes of America’s Workforce (2009), Growth and Renewal in the United States: Retooling America’s Economic Engine (2011), and An Economy That Works: Job Creation and America’s Future (2011), and Help Wanted: the Future of Work in Advanced Economies (2012). His professional experience prior to McKinsey was as an economist at LMC International, Oxford University, and the African Development Bank. He is the author of The Economics of International Payments Unions and Clearinghouses (MacMillan Press, 1995) Until his appointment at the White House, Byron was active in a number of not-for-profit organizations, serving as board chairman of Hope Street Group, and as a member of the boards of trustees of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and Yale University. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Pacific Council on International Policy. Byron earned a B.A. summa cum laude in economics and political science from Yale University, where he was awarded a Truman Scholarship and the James Gordon Bennet Prize, and a M. Phil. and D.Phil. in economics from Oxford University, as a Marshall Scholar. You can follow Byron on Twitter @Byron_Auguste
