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SkillUp Recieves National Exemplary Collaborative Award

The National Fund for Workforce Solutions (National Fund), a national partnership of communities, employers, workers, and philanthropy, has named SkillUp Washington as a recipient of its 2014 Chairman’s Award for Exemplary Collaborative.

Fred Dedrick, executive director of the National Fund, said of this recognition, “SkillUp Washington is highly deserving of this award. As one of our top- performing collaboratives, SkillUp Washington has led the way in developing innovative, job-driven workforce training programs and credentialing that enables many untapped and underutilized segments of our workforce to obtain career opportunities paying family-supporting wages that align with the region’s economic development goals.”

Through industry partnerships such as Port Jobs, SkillUp Washington is investing in Seattle’s future as a growing and vibrant port economy by connecting workers and jobseekers to opportunities in the region’s high-growth international trade, transportation, and logistics industry. SkillUp Washington is also connecting young adults ages 18-29 to promising career pathway programs through Skill Linkin partnership with the region’s community college system, community-based organizations, and the public workforce system.

Susan Crane and representatives from SkillUp Washington formally received the award at the National Fund Fourth Annual Meeting in Chicago on June 17, 2014.

SkillUp Washington is one of two funder collaboratives nationwide selected to receive this year’s Chairman’s Award for Exemplary Collaborative. The other organization is Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council (SAWDC).  SkillUp Washington is extremely grateful to receive this honor.

 

Businesses have a promising model to follow in implementing $15 wage

SkillUp’s Susan Crane and the Aspen Institute’s Maureen Conway discuss how Costco's business model already provides a recipe for achieving business success while treating workers well. Read the full op-ed in Crosscut here: http://crosscut.com/2014/06/10/business/120478/costco-high-wages-and-low-prices-co-exist-anne-hea/.

 

Guide and Tools for Navigators

 

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Thanks to the investments made by the National Fund for Workforce Solutions and SkillUp Washington Funder Collaborative members, we have had a unique opportunity to document, refine and streamline the work of Navigators in the College for Working Adults and Skill Link pilot initiatives.  The “Guide and Tools for Navigators” incorporates what we have learned and presents the main principles, tools and practices emerging from this work about the important and influential role that Navigators have on the college and career success of students.

We’d like to thank the many navigators involved in the College for Working Adults and Skill link pilot initiatives.  Their work and dedication have made a big difference in students’ lives.  This guide also reflects the comments and the experiences of the many students who have been involved in these initiatives, as well.  Thanks are also due to our other partners, including community colleges, community-based organizations, and workforce intermediaries, whose work helped inspire and influence this guide.

Click here to access the guide: pdfGuide and Tools for Navigators Final

 Please see below to access Tools:

docxEnvironmental Scan

docxStudent Early Alert Tool

docxCareer Development Tool

xlsxLife Domain Tool

xlsxStudent Tracking Form

xlsxEmployer Engagement Tool

docxNavigator Progress Report

 

Business and Information Technology Sector: Employment Trends & the SCCD Stackable Certificate Program

The business information technology (BIT) program is one of the longest and most established programs in the Seattle Community College District.  Since 2009, SkillUp Washington has invested and engaged in the BIT program as part of its College for Working Adults initiative (CWA).  Through CWA, SkillUp tested the use of system reform strategies with a potential for scale, such as compressed, stackable certificates (delivered to cohorts of students), college and career navigation, access to emergency supports, cross-college curricula alignment, and employer engagement.  Furthermore, business technology (now known as BIT) was identified as a priority sector by the City of Seattle’s Pathways to Careers, a partnership comprised of businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and labor to build pathways to middle-wage jobs.  Additionally, Seattle Jobs Initiative(SJI) provides wraparound supports, career navigation, and pathways to careers through training and education programs, including the BIT programs the Seattle Community College District.  Because of SJI’s relationship with the Seattle Community College District and involvement in training for office occupations, SkillUp commissioned SJI to undertake the following research as part of its Social Innovations Fund and College for Working Adults investments in the BIT sector. 

 

Download the report pdf Business and Information Technology Sector: Employment Trends & the SCCD Stackable Certificate Program

 
 

Latest Research

  • Economic Opportunity Center Feasibility Study

    The City of Seattle in cooperation with SkillUp Washington, Impact Capital and SouthEast Effective Development (SEED) examined the feasibility of integrating multicultural service delivery at a single location accessible along the light rail line. This project stemmed from the legislature’s interest in replicating the Opportunity Center for Employment and Education model located on the campus of North Seattle Community College. Examined here is the possibility of creating a similar Center in Southeast Seattle that could help people get an education, get a job, or grow a business, and the findings suggest that such an Economic Opportunity Center is needed in and desired by the community.

    Download the Executive Summary: EOC: Executive Summary

    Download the Full Report:EOC: Final Report

     

    To request a hardcopy of the Executive Summary or the full report, please email Ashley Plaga at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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