In the States.

National Skills Coalition, under the leadership of its Regional Field Directors, works with allies in the states to build multi-stakeholder alliances that can mobilize statewide support for skills agendas, and advance specific policy reforms with state governments and legislatures.

This section features the work of some of those state coalitions and campaigns. It also provides background on model state policies developed or replicated by these state advocates.

Here are just a few examples of some of the great work that is going on around the country to advance skills agendas.

New Mexico's Lt. Governor's office held a Workforce and Education Strategy Academy in May on preparing more New Mexico workers for middle-skill jobs. Lt. Governor Diane Denish, with a number of cabinet secretaries, discussed middle-skill jobs, citing New Mexico’s Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs report and a possible goal of increasing the number of New Mexicans with a two-year degree, credential or equivalent education by 20 percent by 2020.

Campaign for a Working Connecticut, with other partners, co-sponsored the Prospering Communities, Thriving Families gubernatorial candidates forum in May. Watch as the candidates offered their positions on issues facing Connecticut’s economy and workforce, identifying opportunities for meeting those challenges through training and education reform.

Rhode Island Workforce Alliance, lead partner of the Skills2Compete-Rhode Island campaign, held Skills2Compete Day at the State House in May. Adult education and job training leaders from across the state came together to demonstrate to legislators how investments in adult education and training are critical to building the skills of Rhode Island’s workforce and a strong economy.

Washington Governor Christine Gregoire signed the Opportunity Express Act on April 21 - an $18.6 million investment in better coordination of existing job training and college programs that will retrain unemployed residents for high-demand industries that will drive the state’s economic recovery. State Representative Tim Probst (D-17th) championed the bill, with the support of fellow members of the Skills2Compete-Washington campaign and the National Skills Coalition.

Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth's (DELEG) Summit on April 27 showcased the state’s next generation of Skills Alliances. Conceived of by the Charles Stewart Mott foundation, Michigan Skills Alliances are partnerships to align training needs within a specific industry sector or region. National Skills Coalition Executive Director Andy Van Kleunen spoke at the Summit about the importance of sector partnerships as part of a comprehensive skills strategy.

The JOIN Funders Collaborative in Philadelphia worked with leaders from the workforce, business and non-profit communities to organize a Gubernatorial Forum on the “Future of Pennsylvania’s Workforce and Economy.” Every candidate and over 500 Pennsylvanians discussed how the state can prepare youth and adults for the 21st-century economy. National Skills Coalition was a co-sponsor of the event. Watch the candidates share their positions.