Improving access to high-quality jobs: lessons from Encuentro’s immigrant workforce model How do we improve immigrant workers’ access to quality jobs? The answer — according to workers themselves — is far more layered than workforce development programs and funders typically acknowledge. We had the opportunity to explore this question during Read more
Thanks to all members and speakers who joined us for Workforce Matters’ 2026 budget briefing and discussion on March 31. A special thanks to Economic Opportunity Funders for their always-excellent Annual Budget and Tax Briefing, which provided the foundation for our conversation, and to our speakers, Megan Evans and Melissa Read more
WORKFORCE MATTERS | 2026 PROGRAMMING UPDATE At Workforce Matters, we are privileged to convene a national network of funders who share a commitment to expanding equitable access to quality jobs and education for young people and adults. As we move through 2026, we want to share an overview of our Read more
Nina Bershadker, Executive Director, The Taft Foundation Tell us a little bit about your background and why you joined Workforce Matters. I am relatively new to workforce development and joined Workforce Matters because I’m excited to learn from this community. My professional roots are in social work – I began Read more
Interest in apprenticeship is growing across the United States—from policymakers and employers to education leaders and workforce practitioners. Yet the country’s apprenticeship system remains far smaller than those in other advanced economies. Workforce Matters members and guests explored these challenges and opportunities on our March 5 webinar, “Apprenticeship: What Funders Read more
Donna James-Harvey, Regional Director – North Texas, Holloway Family Foundation Tell us a little bit about your background and why you joined Workforce Matters. I began my career in the nonprofit sector 15 years ago, with workforce development becoming an area of special interest about 5 years ago. Up until Read more
Last October, Tameshia Bridges Mansfield, Keely Cat-Wells (Making Space), Tamiera “TC” Nash (Louisiana Opportunity Youth Alliance), and Tracy Van Slyke (Pop Culture Collaborative) joined Further Together for a powerful panel on narrative. Together, they explored how cultural stories shape how we see work, workers, and workforce systems—and how those stories Read more
On February 5-6, Workforce Matters co-directors and many of our Steering Committee members attended the National Skills Coalition’s annual Skills Summit. It was a good way to set the tone for our annual leadership retreat. We are still reflecting on a few key themes that emerged over the course of Read more
Last October at Further Together, one of the most thought-provoking conversations focused on something often invisible in workforce development, but deeply powerful: narrative. Moderated by Tameshia Bridges Mansfield, the panel featured Keely Cat-Wells (Making Space), Tamiera “TC” Nash (Louisiana Opportunity Youth Alliance), and Tracy Van Slyke (Pop Culture Collaborative). Together, Read more
Nomzana Augustin, The WES Mariam Assefa Fund Tell us a little bit about your background and why you joined Workforce Matters. I’ve spent the last decade of my career funding and advancing systems that create equitable access to opportunities, especially through jobs and skills building. My interest in workforce development Read more