Spotlight.
The Workforce Alliance is now National Skills Coalition
January 7, 2010
A decade after The Workforce Alliance was created, the collective efforts of our national coalition have helped put “skills” on the nation’s political radar screen. Now our challenge is to make sure that the usually forgotten majority of America’s workers and jobs are included in the new policy solutions being considered in DC and in the states.
To better lead this next phase of advocacy we have updated our identity to better reflect our organization’s unique cross-policy, cross-stakeholder approach. We are National Skills Coalition.
Join us in this new era of advocacy by signing up for our e-mail updates, becoming a Supporting Member, or making a Donation.
The Latest News.
2010 Skills Summit Cancelled. We regret to announce that in light of the recent heavy snowfall in the Washington, DC area, National Skills Coalition is canceling our 2010 Skills Summit. If you have any questions, please contact your Regional Field Director.
February 7, 2010
Obama Releases FY 2011 Budget Request. On February 1, President Obama transmitted his $3.8 trillion Fiscal Year 2011 budget request to Congress. Download National Skills Coalition's budget chart and read preliminary analysis of key proposals that impact the nation’s job training and education policies.
February 4, 2010
Community Trade Adjustment Assistance grants. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced the availability of nearly $37 billion in Community Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) grants, which were established as part of TAA reauthorization under the Recovery Act to enable communities with significant trade-related job loss to develop and implement innovative economic development strategies.
February 1, 2010
Response to the State of the Union. Washington, DC: National Skills Coalition Executive Director Andy Van Kleunen issues statement responding to President Obama’s State of the Union Address.
January 28, 2010
What's a Jobs Bill Without Training? Take Action now to ensure funding for on-the-job (OJT) training is included in the Senate's jobs bill. Learn more about OJT and why it is a promising model to address the skill needs of workers and businesses alike by reading our latest Issue Brief.
January 27, 2010
Survey: ARRA "Report from the Field." We want to hear from you how the Recovery Act has expanded worker training or the led to WIA reforms, like sector partnerships and career pathways encouraged under USDOL guidance. Please take a moment to complete our brief on-line survey.
January 25, 2010
Coalition Talks SECTORS at Senate Briefing. On January 12, the Senate Manufacturing Task Force held a briefing to discuss how the SECTORS Act can promote growth and competitiveness in manufacturing. National Skills Coalition staff and members testified.
January 25, 2010
OVAE WIA Session for Employers Organized. National Skills Coalition, in collaboration with Lifespan Community Health Services and other Coalition partners, organized a New England Workforce Investment Act Community Conversation led by Dr. Brenda Dann-Messier, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Education’s Office of Vocational and Adult Education.
January 25, 2010
Energy Sector Partnership grants announced. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration announced 34 grants, totaling nearly $190 million, under the State Energy Sector Partnership and Training grant program – the fifth and final set of “green job” workforce development grants established under the Recovery Act.
January 21, 2010
Pathways Out of Poverty grants announced. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration announced the release of nearly $150 million in grants under the Pathways Out of Poverty program, the fourth of five competitive “green jobs” grants authorized by the Recovery Act.
January 13, 2010
Energy Training Partnership grants announced. The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration announced new grants under the Energy Training Partnership grant program, one of five “green jobs” grant programs authorized under the Recovery Act.
January 12, 2010
Jobs for Main Street Act of 2009. After the President outlined his jobs proposal to the nation, Congress started work to develop legislation. Read more including National Skills Coalition’s recommendations.
December 16, 2009
Andy Van Kleunen kicks off jobs session. At the White House Jobs Summit, National Skills Coalition’s Andy Van Kleunen kicked off the afternoon breakout session moderated by Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes.
December 5, 2009
Take the challenge. Endorse SECTORS. With the Workforce Investment Act ready to move in Congress, now is the time to show your organization's support for the SECTORS Act to ensure the reauthorized law includes support for sector partnerships. Become an endorsing organization today.
December 1, 2009
Skills2Compete States Take to the Hill. Representatives from Skills2Compete campaigns in California, Connecticut, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin came to DC to brief Members of Congress and the Administration and encourage further federal efforts to ensure that all workers can get the skills they need to play a role in the economic recovery.
November 16, 2009
Skills2Compete states grab headlines. Bringing together business, labor, education and training providers, and state officials, five states launched Skills2Compete campaigns this month, with the release of Forgotten Middle reports that grabbed headlines across the country.
October 30, 2009
Weighing in on SAFRA. In a letter of support to House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Miller, National Skills Coalition recommended changes to strengthen the legislation that will support the President’s Community College Initiative.
July 21, 2009
Community college plan a game changer. President Obama announced the American Graduation Initiative (AGI), a $12B investment to expand the capacity of the nation's community colleges. Media outlets turned to National Skills Coalition for comment.
July 14, 2009
