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.