For years, businesses in nearly every industry have struggled to find, train, and retain workers with the skills they need to compete—and now, with countless businesses threatened and tens of millions of workers displaced by the Covid-19 pandemic, industry-driven skills policy is even more essential for a swift, sustainable, and inclusive economic recovery for businesses […]
Members of the NSC team, along with representatives from across our networks, unpacked the election results, discussed the opportunities and challenges presented by the new Congress, and analyzed what new leadership in the White House means for our inclusive economic recovery plans. Watch the event
NSC Senior Fellow Amy Ellen Duke-Benfield joins AlabamaWorks! for a webinar focused on non-degree credentials.
NSC's Jessica Cardott, Senior National Network Manager, and Caroline Treschitta, Policy Analyst, joined the Ohio Workforce Coalition to share NSC's federal policy priorities for the new administration and discuss ways for you to get involved in educating public officials about the importance of skills! Watch the webinar below and click here to download the slides. […]
We are sincerely disappointed to announce that we won’t be meeting in DC in 2021 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. But our skills advocacy on the Hill will continue on. NSC has a series of virtual advocacy opportunities lined up to ensure that our network gets in front of their policymakers to tell them that […]
The Role of Policy and Advocacy - attendees will hear from Mary Clagett (Senior Director of The Workforce and Education Policy Team at Jobs for the Future), Rebecca Karp (Managing Principal and CEO of Karp Strategies), and Katie Spiker (Director of Government Affairs at the National Skills Coalition) on the role of policy and advocacy […]
In this interactive webinar, you’ll experience how 2020 became the tipping point for a more intentional approach to addressing these issues in career and technical education. Discover how educators and industry partners have implemented Access, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies for career and technical education and workforce development that result in better-engaged learners, regardless of […]
For NCWE members only Join National Skills Coalition and the National Council for Workforce Education for a rundown on the new administration and the new Congress, how their priorities will impact workforce education, and how you can bring the needs of your students into the conversation on Capitol Hill. With a new administration and unified […]
Join CAEL for a conversation with two national public policy leaders - Amy Ellen Duke-Benfield of National Skills Coalition and Emily Bouck West of Higher Learning Advocates - to discuss recent COVID legislation and how it will affect adult learners, postsecondary institutions, and the workforce. From FAFSA to broadband, from funding for colleges to child care […]
Join NSC's own Amanda Bergson-Shilcock, India Heckstall, and Brianna McCain as they present at COABE's 2021 National Virtual Conference! The Covid-19 pandemic has alerted many elected officials to the importance of digital skills. Now is a great time for adult educators to help policymakers connect the dots and understand how they can invest in adult […]
Join NSC's own Amanda Bergson-Shilcock, India Heckstall, and Brianna McCain as they present at COABE's 2021 National Virtual Conference! In recent months, adult educators have gotten increasingly comfortable with teaching foundational digital skills. But what about industry-specific digital skills? This session will provide examples of how adult learners are being called upon to use technology […]
Download Slides The Covid-19 pandemic has thrown millions of Americans out of work and challenged libraries to find creative ways to help jobseekers and adult learners navigate an uncertain and fast-changing landscape. This webinar will feature national policy experts who will provide big-picture context, data, and resources to help library staff to strategically connect with […]
At this year's Alabama Interstate Talent Development Convening, NSC's own Amy Ellen Duke-Benfield will be presenting a breakout session called "The Role of Non-Degree Credential Quality Assurance" alongside Cleve Poole of the Alabama Committee on Credentialing and Career Pathways and Vicky Ohlson of the Alabama Community College System. The convening is designed to serve as […]
National Skills Coalition and workforce development experts from the BlueGreen Alliance, the Manufacturing Institute, National League of Cities, and National Urban League analyze the administration's American Jobs Plan, how any job creation package must include skills training to be successful, and what they need to see from Congress to get America's workers and business back […]
While the effects of layoffs and furloughs caused by the COVID pandemic will certainly shape the foreseeable future, the long-term health prognosis for the American workforce will largely be determined by a metamorphic revolution in communications, data, and automation. The pandemic helped spark a mass shift to digital tools and communication that will accelerate the […]
The Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development will hold a remote hearing titled: “Growing Jobs through Infrastructure Investment.” The national infrastructure has long deteriorated but investing in it today creates millions of good paying jobs for American workers now and into the future. However, it is not enough to create […]
The 11th New England Workforce Network (NEWN) Conference is a collaborative effort with workforce professionals from all over New England. This year's theme, Fast Forward: Innovative Workforce Development in Changing Times, reflects the turbulent times and the tremendous synergistic value of planning and acting in concert with the various stakeholders in workforce areas. This year's keynote […]
View the slides from NSC Senior Fellow Rachel Vilsack's presentation at the 2021 C2ER Conference/LMI Institute Annual Forum Using Data to Drive Credential Quality and Transparency - June 9th, 1pm ET Education and training have become essential to our nation’s economic mobility and growth following an historic pandemic that disrupted the lives and livelihoods of […]
Lunch and Learn #2: Each learner feels welcome in, is supported by, and has the means to succeed in the career preparation ecosystem Date: June 22, 2021 Time: 4:00 PM ET This session is the second in Advance CTE’s Lunch & Learn series focused on exploring each of the principles from Without Limits: A Shared Vision […]
On Thursday, July 22 at 12pm EST, Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor Robert C. "Bobby" Scott hosted a remote press conference with NSC’s CEO, Andy Van Kleunen, Secretary Marty Walsh, U.S. Department of Labor, Deputy Secretary Cindy Marten, U.S. Department of Education, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Chair of […]
On July 22, at 2pm ET, NSC’s Director of Government Affairs, Katie Spiker, will join a virtual discussion on reshaping America’s digital infrastructure for the 21st century and beyond, hosted by the Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center. The virtual discussion will also feature Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Dr. Dominique Harrison of the Joint Center […]
As the country continues to reopen, many long-term unemployed workers may return to the workforce. But, individuals will be reentering a job market that looks different from a year and a half ago. Businesses large and small embraced technology and automation in new ways, accelerating trends that existed before COVID. These individuals will need training, […]
On Monday, August 23rd, National Skills Coalition held the first event in the Fireside Chat Series with Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. Secretary Walsh, along with NCS CEO Andy Van Kleunen, and industry leaders Brad Markell, Allison Dembeck, and Alex Camardelle, shared their thoughts on the critical role of investments in skills training for workers, […]
Listen here: Manufacturing Report Podcast - Biden's Build Back Better Infrastructure Plans Could Create Millions of Jobs. But Who Will Benefit?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V49GR4IQeyM How state policies can support upskilling for essential workers and ensure small businesses have the talent they need to succeed. Resources FAQ Technical Assistance Application
California is home to nearly 11 million immigrants - accounting for almost 27 percent of the state’s population. Roughly 2.5 million immigrants are undocumented, meaning less access to social safety net programs, financial assistance, and job security. Throughout the ongoing pandemic, immigrants, including English language learners (ELL), have been impacted the most - facing systemic […]
For our second Fireside Chat we were joined by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to discuss the critical role of investments in skills training for workers, employers, and an inclusive economic recovery. Following the discussion, we’ll host a panel discussion response featuring: Andy Van Kleunen, CEO of National Skills Coalition Chandler Morse, Head of North America Public Policy […]
As the United States celebrates National Digital Inclusion week (October 4-8, 2021), the STEM Education Coalition Policy Forum invites you to a briefing on October 7 at 11:00 am EST for policymakers to learn more about the daily obstacles that communities across the country face in accessing and navigating the Internet. The COVID-19 pandemic has […]
https://youtu.be/PJWxOkxlDVM Over the past 18 months, National Skills Coalition members have worked hard to educate policymakers on the need to invest in digital skills. Our Digital Equity @ Work campaign has highlighted the importance of holistic digital inclusion investments that help workers not only access the broadband and devices they need, but also to pursue […]
What Workforce and Education Advocates Need to Know about Digital Inclusion https://youtu.be/O5ZLOUuvVb0 The infrastructure legislation that Congress enacted last November made a huge new investment in digital skills via the $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act. For workforce development and adult/higher education advocates, this new funding provides many opportunities -- but taking advantage of it will require familiarity […]
The Council of State Governments (CSG) invites you to a webinar to discuss professional licensure, obstacles to mobility and transparency and solutions for efficient and inclusive credentialing practices. CSG’s Occupational Licensure Project, funded by the US Department of Labor, has sought to remove barriers for professional licensure. Obtaining a professional license can be confusing. […]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1T5tQ7uf1Q Download Slides Hosted by National Skills Coalition in partnership with American Library Association and Public Library Association The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes a historic investment in advancing digital equity, and an opportunity for libraries to leverage and expand their roles in that work. In particular, the Digital Equity Act provisions include a […]
Getting a Voice at the Table for $2.75 Billion in Federal Funds
How can you get involved with the Digital Equity Act?
NSC State Strategies Director Kate Kinder will be highlighting how National Skills Coalition has supported Oregon in policy advocacy that centers student voices.
On Thursday, April 21, 2022, from 11am to 12pm Eastern, please join AIR for a presentation and discussion focusing on a new policy report from the ETS Center for Research on Human Capital and Education called Buttressing the Middle: A Case for Reskilling and Upskilling America’s Middle-Skill Workers in the 21st Century. This report explores […]
Caroline Treschitta and Jennifer Stiddard will be speaking at Anne Arundel Community College as a part of National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE)'s event, New Workforce Professionals Academy. Caroline will speak at a panel called "Becoming a Workforce Advocate", followed by both her and Jennifer Stiddard speaking on a "Future Federal Legislation and Funding" panel.
https://youtu.be/RLYGn_KUw5g The Champions for Education webinar forum will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, April 27th. Attendance is free. Please complete registration below. Tickets to the Champions for Education VIP Mixer that follows our webinar at 5 PM on the 27th are free with event sponsorships or are available for $75. Speakers include: Kelli […]
What do we know about workers' digital skill needs & how to support them? Digital skills are in-demand for jobs across industries. Home health aides need to enter patient information via iPads; retail store workers are using price-change and inventory-control apps; construction workers have to submit work-order changes using mobile apps for blueprint technology; and truck drivers […]
NSC's Kate Kinder will be giving two presentations during this conference. At 1:00PM PST she will present in "Building Career Pathways Systems by Harnessing SNAP E & T" The conference is HYBRID with limited in person space.
Digital Equity Act: New Federal Investment & What it Means for the WIOA System Congress passed the $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act as part of infrastructure legislation last year. Find out what this new investment means for WIOA system partners and how it will be rolling out to states. What will this policy look like […]
The Skills for CA Summit will bring together partners from across the state to advance a collective workforce policy agenda that promotes equity, systems innovation, and pathways to good jobs. The event will dive into California's workforce policies, investments, initiatives, and the bold efforts the network is making to forge an inclusive economic recovery for […]
https://youtu.be/VYiI4gsXGaU Affordable, high-quality education and training is essential for an inclusive economic recovery. Too often, however, financial assistance programs are not accessible to working adults or fail to incorporate in-demand skills training. Some states have taken the lead in developing strategies that address these barriers, including through college promise programs, cross-system partnerships, and alignment of […]
https://youtu.be/rjHvJs8qv5k Last year, the federal government made a nearly trillion-dollar investment in physical infrastructure including roads, bridges and transit. This investment is projected to create millions of new jobs. How do we make sure that workers most impacted by the pandemic have access to those jobs? And how can workforce strategies ensure that infrastructure jobs […]
https://youtu.be/BPXhkTqb96g Developing industry partnerships that promote equity, quality jobs, and economic mobility is the recipe for success. Workforce partnerships can help employers explore hiring and retention challenges, understand workplace culture, diversify talent pools, and ensure there are community-based pathways to employment and careers in their company and industry sector. This summit sequel will explore innovative […]
https://youtu.be/fSQ8NiwuT90 NSC Resources Skills For an Inclusive Economic Recovery Roadmap for Racial Equity Data for an Inclusive Economic Recovery Other Resources Detroit Centering Community Voices Dallas Parent Promise Program WorkReadyU Case Study United Way Greater Nashville AMBE Midwest Urban Strategies Workforce Innovators NYC Workforce professionals Despite the urgent need for workers, many businesses […]
https://youtu.be/4_D5kgGh3HU There’s lots of conversation about digital skills, but how are workforce and education advocates actually tackling this issue on the ground? In this Summit Sequel, hear directly from state and local leaders about how they’ve advanced new policies that measure digital skills and create more equitable upskilling pathways for workers in frontline jobs. Find […]
NSC CEO Andy Van Kleunen joins Senior Advisor to the President and Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator Mitch Landrieu, and a group of local leaders for a discussion about the Biden administration’s efforts to support industry partnerships, advance racial equity, and produce quality jobs through the rollout of the bi-partisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Biden […]
NSC CEO Andy Van Kleunen joins Secretary Jennifer Granholm to hear how the U.S. Department of Energy is implementing federal investments and partnering with agencies across the government to develop our nation's clean energy workforce. August 2022 the Biden Administration passed the Inflation Reduction Act, making historic investments to protect and improve land, water, air, […]
The growing effort to define program, job, and credential quality requires investments in P–20W data systems to capture measures of quality and make that information transparent to the public. Join the Data Quality Campaign along with Credential Engine, Jobs for the Future, and National Skills Coalition for a webinar that will highlight the importance of […]
Elections create both uncertainty but also promising opportunity for federal and state leaders to advance high-quality, equitable career pathways and Career Technical Education prgorams. Join an enlightening conversation between Advance CTE Executive Director Kimberly Green, JFF President and CEO Maria Flynn, and National Skills Coalition CEO Andy Van Kleunen, as they break down what the […]
National Skills Coalition invites you to join an invitation-only network call for workforce stakeholders to discuss the landscape of the new 118th Congress and what it means for workforce and education priorities. In this call, NSC’s Government Affairs staff will review: - A wrap up of the 117th Congress, including workforce wins and losses - […]
https://youtu.be/ZsIlfB_fITg As state policymakers grapple with closing the digital divide and effectively deploying resources from the historic $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act, National Skills Coalition, in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, has released new research that could help guide the way. Based on an analysis of 43 million job postings, Closing the […]
This panel will examine what it means to reimagine the workforce for an inclusive economic recovery, including what it takes to reach this outcome and who must be prioritized in these efforts. Discussion topics include the political challenges, opportunities, and advancements in Connecticut and Massachusetts, as well as the federal level.
Summit Sequels
Summit Sequels is a series of virtual skills events where we’ll continue the conversation, held at the Skills Summit, about skills policy issues at the state and federal levels.
Listen to this 2022 series to hear about best practices in the states and models that can inform federal decision-making and to discuss ongoing opportunities in federal and state skills advocacy.
Fireside Chats
National Skills Coalition hosts a series of fireside chats between CEO Andy Van Kleunen and various policymakers as they discuss the critical role of investments in skills training for workers, employers, and an inclusive economic recovery.
