Boston, MA – April 24, 2015 − The National Fund for Workforce Solutions (National Fund) announced today that they have joined the nation’s top business leadership groups in launching UpSkill America, an employer-led movement dedicated to expanding economic opportunity for American workers through education and workforce development.
Since 2007, nearly 65,000 people have received career development services through training programs supported by the National Fund and its regional collaborative and business partners. There are 14 of the National Fund’s partnering businesses selected to participate in the UpSkill America White House Summit. The Summit will serve as an opportunity for employers from around the country to convene and collaborate on how to best invest in the skills of America’s workers and expand the national talent pipeline.
The National Fund’s employer partners span small, mid-size, and large businesses in manufacturing, health care and other industries. Employers represented at the UpSkill America White House Summit include: Urban Health Plan, Fives Machining Systems, Norton Healthcare Inc., TriHealth, Greater Boston Hospitality Employers, Universal Woods Inc., Austal USA, UnityPoint Health, Global Partner Solutions, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, EcoMize USA, Genesis HealthCare, MetaPhase Technologies and Jersey City Medical Center Barnabas Health.
“We applaud the work of these employers from a variety of our nation’s fastest growing and most evolving industries,” said Fred Dedrick, executive director of the National Fund to Workforce Solutions. “We are elated that they have the opportunity to attend the White House Summit and showcase their hard work and commitment to investing in their workforce. The National Fund is committed to working hands-on with employers to help American workers seize the opportunity for better paying jobs with better wages.”
As the nation’s economy continues to improve, National Fund has recognized that many employers are struggling to find skilled workers with the capabilities to fill the jobs they have available. At the same time, tens of millions of American workers in low-wage jobs could be trained to fill more skilled roles. The National Fund’s mission is to work with its employer partners to support efforts to get workers on an upward and mobile career path.
“As a Registered Nurse for 33 years and employee of Genesis HealthCare, I am excited and thankful to be recognized by the White House and to participate in the Upskill America White House Summit,” said Deborah Rowe, vice president of Genesis HealthCare. “It is important that we invest in skill development and career advancement for our front line workers, and we need to share our successes and best practices. Representing Genesis HealthCare, I am proud to say that a core belief is that our employees are the vital link to patients and residents. They are the service we provide, the product we deliver, and our most valuable resource.”
In the coming months, the National Fund in collaboration with UpSkill America, is hoping to be a catalyst for change for these workers through its three-part mission:
- Recognizing leading employers that have developed promising approaches to provide training and career development for their workers
- Encouraging the widespread adoption of business practices that foster expanded economic opportunity for hard-working Americans
- Fostering education and workforce development programs to support businesses and workers to a better job and career.
Along with the National Fund, a coalition of other members will lead this effort, including:
- Bay Area Council
- Business Champions
- Business Leaders United for Workforce Partnerships
- Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board
- HR Policy Foundation
- Small Business Majority
- The Aspen Institute Skills for America’s Future
- The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning
About the National Fund for Workforce Solutions
The National Fund for Workforce Solutions is a growing national partnership of businesses, education and training providers, policy makers, and local and national funders working to build employment opportunities for workers while also helping businesses secure critical skills. Together they invest in more than 30 communities and 75 industry partnerships to strengthen local economies by implementing demand-driven and employer-led workforce strategies that create talent supply chains, close skill gaps, and improve workforce practices and policies.
