workforce policy

Setting the Stage: Why Narrative Matters in Workforce Development

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

By Workforce Matters, ago

Facing Federal Funding Uncertainty: Updates and Next Steps for Workforce Matters Members 

As our members are aware, the Trump Administration’s actions this week around federal funding assistance have caused no small amount of disruption and confusion across the country. A funding freeze communicated via a memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on January 27 had the potential to impact Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

2024 Workforce Policy Wrap-Up with the Employment and Training Administration

Last month, Workforce Matters hosted an end-of-year workforce policy briefing with staff from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) to receive updates on ETA’s most recent investments about which philanthropic partners may want to inform their grantees and community partners. Highlights from the conversation are included Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Webinar Recap: Deferred Action for Labor Enforcement (DALE) with USDOL Acting Secretary Julie Su 

On Aug 12, 2024, Funders for a Just Economy, Workforce Matters, Ford Foundation, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, Chicagoland Workforce Funders Alliance, Raise the Floor Alliance, Arriba Las Vegas, Warehouse Workers for Justice, and the International Association of Bridge Structural Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers co-sponsored an educational webinar Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Recap: Community Colleges Webinar on Innovative Financing Strategies

On Thursday, September 21, 2023, Workforce Matters hosted our second virtual learning and discussion series on community colleges and workforce development. Featuring the New Jersey Pay it Forward Program, the conversation explored how innovative workforce financing – whether designed to provide last-dollar funding, or invested to stretch or amplify impact Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Reflections on Workforce Development Month September 2023 

The recognition of Workforce Development Month began in 2005. Now, almost 20 years later, organizations across the field continue to recognize the contributions of the workforce development field to our economy and society at large.  As a philanthropy-serving organization uniquely focused on workforce development through our support of workforce grantmakers, Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Recap: Affirmative Action Briefing and Discussion for Workforce Grantmakers

On August 28, 2023, Workforce Matters hosted a briefing for workforce grantmakers on the implications of the Supreme Court’s decisions in SFFA v. Harvard and SFFA v. UNC. Our conversation with Art Coleman, Managing Partner at EducationCounsel; Dr. Alex Camerdelle, Vice President at Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative; and Sally Chen, Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Statement on the Supreme Court’s Ruling on Affirmative Action

From Co-Directors Loh-Sze Leung and Clair Minson: The Supreme Court’s rulings that struck down race-based admissions at Harvard and at the University of North Carolina set back decades of progress toward greater diversity and inclusion in higher education.  Affirmative action programs and policies have long been a critical tool for Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago