1. National Fund for Workforce Solutions A Partnership of Communities, Employers, Workers and Philanthropy Strategies from the National Fund Partner Communities by Fred Dedrick, Executive Director National Fund for Workforce Solutions April 28, 2015 1

2. NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Mission Drive practices, polices and investments to:  Improve family-supporting career opportunities for low-wage workers and unemployed individuals  Provide employers with skilled workers  Advance local economic development 2

3. NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Strategic Principles  Catalyze Community Collaboration and Action  Leverage Resources  Organize Industry Partnerships  Transform Practices and Systems  Develop Leadership  Value Learning 3

4. NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Results: 2007-2015 35 regional funder collaboratives in 26 states 80 active industry partnerships in a dozen industry sectors More than 65,000 individuals served Engagement with 4,000 employers $250 million from 600 local funders 4

5. THE NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Regional Funder Collaboratives Operates with a clear and compelling purpose Develops and supports industry partnerships Leverages resources Executes a demand-driven strategy Serves low-skill, low-wage workers Works under strong management Advocates evidence-based decision making Generates systems change 5

6. THE NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Collaborative Leaders United Ways: Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Des Moines, Atlanta, Hartford, Greenville, Dallas Community Foundations: Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, Mississippi Delta, Central Wisconsin, Birmingham, Chicago, New Orleans, Baltimore, Greater Washington, DC WIBs: Louisville, Wichita, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh Economic Development Orgs: Mobile, Syracuse, Tuscaloosa, Newark 6

7. THE NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Collaborative Models Only funders participate in decision making Funders lead with a small advisory committee that includes employers, educators and CBOs A larger collaborative with diverse representation from funders, employers, workers, educators, CBOs, Workforce Investment Boards, city and state officials 7

8. THE NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Collaborative Funding Pooled --- contributions are centrally administered Aligned --- investments are consistent with collaborative strategy Private sources: Foundations (community, national and family) United Ways, employers, individuals Public sources: Federal grants, city general funds, property taxes, state workforce dollars, governor’s discretionary funds 8

9. THE NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Industry Partnerships Industry sector focus Engages and brings employers together Finds areas of common interest Develops responsive strategies Collects participant data Develops employer leadership 9

10. THE NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Why Industry Partnerships? Deep understanding of industry is required Employers provide industry intelligence –Industry trends –New technology –Evolving occupations –Identifies respected credentials or helps develop one Aggregated training is more cost effective 10

11. THE NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Why Industry Partnerships? Clearer message about industry needs Education and training providers respond better –More students/trainees –Curriculum changes –Flexible hours –Customized to fit local industry Provide better applicants ready for customized training Agreement on entry-level credentials 11

12. THE NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Industry Partnership Sectors Health Care Manufacturing Construction Transportation and Logistics Information Technology Financial Services Energy Hospitality Material Sciences Utilities 12

13. THE NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Industry Partnership Organizing Models Staff is hired by the collaborative IP organizing is outsourced Trade associations take the lead Existing partnerships are expanded 13

14. THE NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Various Approaches to Systems Change Led by the collaborative: funders identify impediments to employer pathways and advocate for changes Led by the Industry Partnership: employers identify barriers to meeting demand and propose changes Outsourced to state wide advocacy group: collaborative contracts with and/or organizes state-wide organization to propose new state workforce policies 14

15. THE NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Better Skills/Better Jobs Or Raise the Floor, Build the Ladder Start with Industry Partnerships Develop consensus on a regional prosperity strategy with employers at the table Identify employer champions Document employer best practices Connect to economic development Think carefully about language and communication 15

16. THE NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Leadership Requires Risk Takers Set bold goals Start small Plan well but take action Do not expect immediate results Share the credit Be honest about wrong turns Create strong relationships Keep asking the right questions 16

17. THANK YOU Fred Dedrick Executive Director National Fund for Workforce Solutions 88 Broad Street, 8th Floor Boston, MA 02110 fdedrick@jff.org WWW.NFWSOLUTIONS.ORG 17