National Fund for Workforce Solutions

SkillUp Washington is a National Fund for Workforce Solutions collaborative. As such, government, philanthropic organizations, and businesses are brought together to craft local strategies built upon the National Fund strategies.

Social Innovation Fund
In 2010, the National Fund for Workforce Solutions was selected by the Corporation for National and Community Service as an inaugural recipient of a Social Innovation Fund (SIF) grant. These funds — $7.7 million over two years — are being used to help the National Fund scale up its efforts in 10 communities and start work in six new communities. In each of these 16 communities, SIF funds require regional funding collaboratives to direct support to employers and workers in key industry sectors through the development of well-organized workforce partnerships. These partnerships will provide targeted training and career support assistance to more than 20,000 low-income individuals over three years.  SkillUp Washington was selected to receive $600,000 over two years.

SkillUp SIF Projects
Health Care
SkillUp Washington is working with two health care workforce intermediaries to connect low-wage health care workers to higher wage positions in the industry and new low-wage job seekers to entry-level positions with advancement opportunities.

College for Working Adults
SkillUp is sponsoring a second Medical Assistant (MA) cohort as part of SkillUp's College for Working Adults (CWA) initiative. Business Services Workforce Partnership

Business Services Workforce Partnership
Providers include local community colleges and community organizations with strong connections to local employers.

Transportation and Logistics
Port Jobs- the nonprofit workforce intermediary created by the Port of Seattle to work with Port-related employers, training providers, and community organizations- will leverage employment and training opportunities for airport and seaport incumbent workers and job seekers as the convener of the Transportation & Logistics Workforce Partnership. Employer partners will include the Port of Seattle, Alaska Airlines, HMS Host, and others.  Port Jobs will survey Port customers and tenants to identify their hiring needs and incumbent worker training needs over the next several years.


NFWS is led by Fred Dedrick. Watch Fred explain his vision for the organization.

 
 

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 ashleyp@skillupwa.org

    View full item ›
Go to Research Center ›