Edward J Leach, PhD, CAE’s Post

Federal investments are improving partnerships between community colleges and a public workforce board funded by the U.S. Labor Department. #FederalInvestments #CommunityCollege #WorkforceBoard #Partnerships #LaborDepartment

North Carolina’s 2024 workforce rankings dropped from 1st to 3rd, education from 1st to 10th, and the state received a B+ in education. According to the article, impacts from “growing political divisions” threaten North Carolina’s world-class career education and workforce. Our education ecosystem is too important to succumb to external pressures. TFF CEO Meaghan Dennison says: “The Forward Fund is a student retention solution. It removes the financial barriers often precluding many from taking advantage of our state and region's world-class education and career training opportunities. We can improve retention, expand enrollment and employer-endorsed programs, and connect more individuals to high-wage careers.” #talent #jobs #training #education #highereducation #skills #workforce #nextgeneration #economicmobility https://bit.ly/4ff3tpi

We're excited to see the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) launch the Commission on the American Workforce, a vital initiative aimed at strengthening the future of education and work in the United States. With a focus on bridging skill gaps, promoting economic mobility, and ensuring a resilient workforce, this commission represents a bold step toward addressing the evolving needs of employers, workers, and communities alike. 👏 Kudos to the BPC and the leaders they've coalesced to drive this effort for bipartisan solutions that put people and opportunity at the heart of progress. We look forward to seeing the innovative ideas, policy recommendations, and impactful change that will come from this important work. Read more below. 🔽

Last Thursday, the Higher Education Committee heard from from businesses, labor, and training representatives about the importance of Local Workforce Boards and the "Prosperity Programs" bill. These programs build on the success of  Prosperity 10,000 (P10K) — a proven investment in training Oregon's workforce. This legislation was passed in 2022 as part of Future Ready Oregon and enables Local Workforce Development Boards to expand services for Oregonians facing unique challenges. It supports career coaching, scholarships, work-based learning, stipends, and essential support services, while fostering local partnerships, innovative programs, and reducing employment barriers. In Multnomah and Washington Counties, more than 2,000 people have enrolled in the program, and we are seeing a 94% completion rate. 76% of participants who were unemployed at the time of enrollment are now employed. Overall, participants are earning an average wage of $21.58/hour. Now's the time to show your support. Visit https://lnkd.in/gHYweEbd to learn more and include your voice.

CEPR Faculty Director Thomas Kane is joining the Bipartisan Policy Center Commission on the American Workforce, a bold initiative that will meet throughout 2025 to develop a national, bipartisan strategy to strengthen the workforce and expand economic opportunity. The commission’s recommendations will guide Congress as it considers overdue reauthorizations of key legislation, including the Higher Education Act, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and the Child Care and Development Block Grant. Learn more below ⬇️

🔍 The Fascinating Charter School Implications of Harris’s VP Choice 🔍 As Kamala Harris deliberates on her VP selection, the implications for charter schools are significant. This decision will signal where charter schools stand within the Democratic Party and influence the broader political landscape. The choice of a running mate like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a strong charter school supporter, could redefine the party’s stance on education reform. Conversely, selecting a candidate aligned with union positions may affect Harris’s chances in critical swing states. Dive deeper into this compelling analysis: Read More #Education #CharterSchools #KamalaHarris #VPChoice #PoliticalStrategy #Election2024

"There is real value in higher education. We have great needs for getting people into the workforce and through the workforce, removing the barriers that they face," says Oregon Sen. Michael Dembrow. Watch the full interview: https://bit.ly/3ZIwEde #NCSLTownHalls

Did you know that two out of three jobs will require a credential beyond high school by 2025? FutureMakers Coalition is focused on raising the number of working-age adults in Southwest Florida with college degrees, certifications, and workforce credentials to 55%. Learn more about FutureMakers by visiting https://bit.ly/3zQpxH3. If education and economic development are your passion, contact us to learn how you can contribute: https://bit.ly/4eKFhdR.

In 2024, systemic barriers continue to limit economic opportunity and mobility for Americans, particularly for individuals and communities of color. Colleges and universities—especially open-access community colleges and four-year institutions—play a crucial role in dismantling these barriers and creating pathways to upward mobility through education, partnerships, and advocacy. On December 11 from 1:00 – 2:30pm ET, Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW) will be joined by college practitioners from the Advancing Community Equity & Upward Mobility (ACE-UP) Community of Practice to present: ✅ Key actions colleges can take to build capacity for equity-driven initiatives while collaborating with employer partners. ✅ Insights into fostering more inclusive employer practices and supporting workforce success for learners and communities. ✅ Stories and lessons shared directly by colleges participating in the ACE-UP Community of Practice. Register Now: https://loom.ly/WhpFDvI To receive a copy of the ACE-UP College and Employer Partner Action Guide when it is published on December 9, visit: https://loom.ly/eTAHBWI. Melissa Goldberg | Kysha Wright Frazier | Diamond Dickerson, DBA, SHRM-CP | Jennifer Poole, Ph.D. | Jason Render Jr., MPA | Taylor McDonald

A few weeks ago, I joined 150 professionals from across the Bay Area to help improve California's Master Plan for Career Technical Education (CTE). https://lnkd.in/eZ8VXi9T This plan hasn't been updated since the 1960s, and it's time for a change! I appreciate the governor's team for committing, investing, and hosting this important discussion. As we work to reshape workforce development, I want to share my key takeaways: Inclusion of Disabled Workers: Despite comprising ~15% of the workforce, disabled workers and organizations are often overlooked. We need to uplift organizations that support them and ensure their voices are honored. Simplifying State Benefits: While Covered CA has made progress with medical and dental, CalFresh still requires improvements. We should eliminate 6-month interviews for full-time college students (assuming FT enrollment and no FT employment), maintain an active status UNTIL application declines vs dropping an application because the applicant missed one phone call from the case worker; all in the pursuit of accessing and maintaining their benefits more easily. Revising Scholarship and Financial Aid Rules: Consider removing unmet need calculations for students below the median cost of living and eliminate taxes on scholarship excesses. Revise Age & Time limits for Services: Individualize goal setting and taper off services based on progression towards completion of set goal (stable housing, full time employment, degree completion, etc.). College Data Sharing and Alumni Networking: Encourage data sharing among colleges, especially employment-related, and invest in alumni mentoring programs. Centralized Scholarship Databases: With $100 million in unawarded scholarships each year, a centralized database could streamline applications and reduce redundancy. This database should have filtration systems as well as automatic detection of eligibility. There is TOO much time wasted on multiple individual apps and unique requirements. (One of my personal faves) Human-Centered 211 Service: A comprehensive, updated system to help individuals access all eligible services with a single application and uniform consent. A one stop shop. Industry Mobility and Advancement: Clearly define career paths to help students understand their prospective career field and provide funding incentives for companies with internal promotions, lived experience representation, etc. Teach college students specifically how the courses and projects they are learning from relate to a job description. Special Job Programs for Disabled Workers: Enhance the California Fair Employment and Housing Act with job programs to designed specific roles for disabled workers at various organizations. I welcome your thoughts and challenges! Please share your resources, and highlight organizations advancing these conversations. Let's keep moving forward. #WorkforceDevelopment #CTE #CaliforniaMasterPlan