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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
The Digital Skills Imperative January 23, 2018 - Digital skills have emerged as an urgent priority in responding to rapid digitalization and mass automation. Markle CEO and President Zoë Baird joined a panel of esteemed speakers to discuss shifting mindsets on lifelong learning and scaling digital-skills-building efforts for the digital economy. Panelists: Zoë Baird, CEO and President, Markle Foundation Jonas Prising, Chairman and CEO, ManpowerGroup Hussain Sajwani, Chairman, Damac Properties Co LLCoModerator Amy Bernstein, Editor, Harvard Business Review Magazine How the Benefits of Technology Can Be Harnessed for Good January 24, 2018 - On a panel hosted by Accenture and Web Summit, leaders and experts on technology and the future of work examined how we can leverage AI and technology to help the next generation of workers. Panelists: Zoë Baird, CEO and President, Markle Foundation Paddy Cosgrave, CEO and Co-founder, Web Summit Paul Daugherty, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Accenture Will.I.Am, Founder, i.am+
Specialization: Access to high quality outcomes for all students Former college president and top federal policy maker Ted Mitchell became president of ACE on Sept. 1, 2017. He brings a wide array of experience and accomplishments from across the higher education sector to ACE, as well as a longstanding focus on helping more students gain access to a postsecondary education and complete their degrees. His background includes service as president of a private liberal arts college, senior administrator at a state university and trustee of a major research institution. Mitchell was president of Occidental College (CA) from 1999-2005. He served as U.S. under secretary of education from 2014 until January 2017, reporting to the secretary of education and overseeing postsecondary education policies and programs. He also has served as vice chancellor and dean of the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, and professor and chair of the Department of Education at Dartmouth College (NH). He has been a member of the Stanford University (CA) Board of Trustees. Prior to becoming under secretary of education, Mitchell was chief executive officer of the NewSchools Venture Fund from 2005-2014, which provides seed capital and counsel to leading education entrepreneurs at the K-12 level, and served as the president of the California State Board of Education. After concluding his service at the Department of Education, Mitchell served as a consultant to ACE in the areas of education attainment and innovation and leadership development. Mitchell received his bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Stanford University. He lives in Washington, DC, with his wife, Christine, and their two children.
Jonathan Hiatt served as the Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the President of the AFL-CIO until 2017. He was appointed to the position in September, 2009, by the Federation's newly-elected President, Richard L. Trumka. Prior to that appointment, Hiatt served for fourteen years as the General Counsel of the AFL-CIO. He was appointed to that position by then-President John J. Sweeney upon Sweeney’s election as President, and served as General Counsel during Sweeney’s entire tenure. Hiatt had previously served eight years as General Counsel to the Service Employees International Union, based in Washington, D.C., where he directed the International Union’s legal department. Before that, he was a partner in a union-side labor law firm in Boston, Massachusetts, Angoff, Goldman, Manning, Pyle, Wanger and Hiatt. He is a graduate of Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley Law School.
John B. King Jr. is the president and CEO of The Education Trust, a national nonprofit organization that seeks to identify and close opportunity and achievement gaps, from preschool through college. King served as the U.S. Secretary of Education from 2016 to 2017 as a member of President Barack Obama’s administration. In tapping him to lead the U.S. Department of Education, President Obama called King “an exceptionally talented educator,” citing his commitment to “preparing every child for success” and his lifelong dedication to education as a teacher, principal, and leader of schools and school systems. Before becoming education secretary and beginning in January 2015, King carried out the duties of the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education, overseeing all policies and programs related to P-12 education, English learners, special education, and innovation. In this role, King also oversaw the agency’s operations. King joined the department following his tenure as the first African American and Puerto Rican to serve as New York State Education Commissioner, a post he held from 2011 to 2015. King began his career in education as a high school social studies teacher in Puerto Rico and Boston, Mass., and as a middle school principal. King’s life story is an extraordinary testament to the transformative power of education. Both of King’s parents were career New York City public school educators, whose example serves as an enduring inspiration. Both of King’s parents passed away from illness by the time he was 12 years old. He credits New York City public school teachers — particularly educators at P.S. 276 in Canarsie and Mark Twain Junior High School in Coney Island — for saving his life by providing him with rich and engaging educational experiences and by giving him hope for the future. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in government from Harvard University, a J.D. from Yale Law School, as well as a Master of Arts in the teaching of social studies and a doctorate in education from Teachers College at Columbia University. King lives in Takoma Park, Md., with his wife (a former kindergarten and first-grade teacher) and his two daughters, who attend local public schools. You can follow King on Twitter via @JohnBKing.
Alastair Fitzpayne serves as Executive Director of the Future of Work Initiative. Prior to his work at the Aspen Institute, he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Secretary Sylvia Burwell. In addition to serving as Chief of Staff at HHS, Fitzpayne also held a number of senior roles at the Department of the Treasury during the Obama Administration, including Deputy Chief of Staff and Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs. He has also served on Capitol Hill, in both the Senate and the House, as an economic advisor to Sen. Evan Bayh and Rep. Rahm Emanuel, respectively. He has also worked at the Office of Management and Budget and Abt Associates, a public policy consulting firm. Fitzpayne holds a BA from Vassar College and an MPP from the University of California-Berkeley.
Peter L. Levin founded Amida Technology Solutions in 2013. Amida is an open source technology firm that focuses on data management with a specialization in cybersecurity. Immediately before founding Amida, he served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary and Chief Technology Officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he led their health record modernization initiative. In this role he co-created and led the inter-agency development of the Blue Button personal health record (now the most widely used PHR in the country), the creation and implementation of the open source electronic health record alliance (OSEHRA.org), and delivery of the first clinical components of the integrated electronic health record with DoD. Today, millions of people use the services he built while at the VA. Prior to joining the VA in 2009, he was an executive director of the open source network security company Astaro (acquired by Sophos), the lead investor and board member of the electronic design automation (EDA) company NeoLinear (acquired by Cadence), and co-founder of the GPS-based cybersecurity company Zanio (acquired by Boeing). He was also co-founding CEO of DAFCA, an EDA company focused on semiconductor test, a venture partner of Ventizz Capital Partners in Dusseldorf, and a general partner of Techno Venture Management in Munich and Boston. Peter was a National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator during the first Bush administration, a Clinton White House Fellow in the Office of Management and Budget, an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow in the Department Mathematical Physics at the Technical University of Darmstadt, and a winner of an NIST Advanced Technology Program award. He is the co-author of more than 50 technical articles ranging from satellite navigation and cybersecurity to computer simulations and semiconductor test. He holds patents in chip design and GPS-based authentication, and his policy essays have appeared in Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The Huffington Post, politico.com, Techonomy, The Hill, and the White House website. Peter began his career at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and was later associate dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Engineering at Boston University. His academic research focused on electromagnetic and acoustic field theory and high performance computing, and he was tenured at both institutions. Now he is a consulting professor in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Stanford University, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), and a non-resident fellow at the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation at Georgetown University. Peter received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, and was a post-doctoral student and DAAD Visiting Scientist at the Institute for High Voltage Engineering at the Technical University of Munich.
Jimmy Chen is the founder and CEO of Propel, a company that builds world-class software to make safety net services more user-friendly. They are the makers of Fresh EBT, a free smartphone app that empowers over a million families nationally who receive food stamp benefits (SNAP) to improve their financial health. Previously, Jimmy was a Product Manager at Facebook, where he led the Facebook Groups team. Jimmy has also worked at LinkedIn and Yahoo. Jimmy studied Symbolic Systems/Human-Computer Interaction at Stanford University and lives in Brooklyn, NY with his dog.
