Workforce Central

E07: National Apprenticeship Week Spotlight: Apprenticeships in Wisconsin Nov 18, 2024

Tune in as NAWB President and CEO, Brad Turner-Little, is joined by David Polk, Director of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards, and President of NASTAD (National Association of State and Territorial Apprenticeship Directors), during National Apprenticeship Week 2024. Polk shares his unique perspective as a third-generation plumber who came full circle, from proudly graduating Wisconsin's apprenticeship program to now overseeing it. The conversation explores Wisconsin's innovative approaches to apprenticeship, including its nationally recognized youth apprenticeship program, expansion into new sectors like healthcare and education, and strategies to support small businesses and increase program completion rates. Discover how Wisconsin partners with workforce boards and technical colleges to create successful apprenticeship pathways, and gain insights into the future of work-based learning as a solution to America's growing skilled workforce shortage.

E06: Workforce Solutions from the Border: El Paso's Workforce Innovation Playbook Oct 08, 2024

In this episode, NAWB President and CEO, Brad Turner-Little, is joined by Leila Melendez, CEO of Workforce Solutions Borderplex, in El Paso, Texas. Leila shares her organization's innovative approach to adapting national workforce mandates to meet local needs in the diverse Borderplex region. She discusses creative initiatives like NextForce, HerForce, and CareForce, which are designed to engage different workforce segments more effectively. Leila also highlights the importance of strong community partnerships in providing accessible and comprehensive services, including their successful program for transitioning military personnel.

E05: Entrepreneurial Approaches for Workforce Boards: Strategies from South Central PA Works Aug 13, 2024

In this episode, CEO of South Central PA Works, Jesse McCree, joins us for an illuminating discussion on workforce development innovation. Leading an influential board that spans eight counties in central PA, Jesse offers insights from his nearly eight-year tenure. The conversation delves into South Central PA Works' pioneering strategies, including fair chance hiring initiatives and community access points. Jesse also recounts his path into the workforce development field and outlines how his organization is harnessing data, fostering agility, and embracing technology to address future labor market challenges.

E04: Workforce Solutions for the Future: Technology, Partnerships, and Community Impact Jul 30, 2024

In this episode, NAWB President and CEO, Brad Turner-Little, is joined by President and CEO of CareerSource Central Florida, Pam Nabors. Pam shares insights on leading a large workforce board and preparing for the future of workforce development and discusses her organization's role in serving a diverse five-county region surrounding Orlando, including efforts to inspire career journeys for youth and to support emerging industries like semiconductors. Learn about CareerSource Central Florida's innovative programs, including High School Career Express, partnerships with businesses and educational institutions, and the need to embrace technology and rethink service delivery models.

E03: Workforce Innovation in Action: Spotlight on WorkSource Montgomery, Inc. Jul 10, 2024

Tune in for another episode of Workforce Central, as NAWB President and CEO, Brad Turner-Little speaks with Anthony Featherstone, the new Executive Director of WorkSource Montgomery, about workforce development initiatives in Montgomery County, Maryland. They discuss the county's diverse demographics, major industries, and workforce challenges. Anthony also shares details about the Blueprint for Maryland's Future legislation and WorkSource Montgomery's innovative MoCo CAP program, which provides innovative career counseling for 6th-12th graders in partnership with local schools. He also highlights the board's community workforce network and mobile job center aimed at expanding access to workforce services. Discover the importance of community engagement, listening to feedback, and building relationships to effectively navigate future workforce challenges.

E02: Overcoming Barriers and Defining Workforce Development: Insights from Coconino County Jun 19, 2024

In this episode of Workforce Central, Brad Turner-Little, President and CEO of NAWB, is joined by Billy Francis, Executive Director of the Coconino County Workforce Development Board in Flagstaff, Arizona. They discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of workforce development in rural Coconino County, which has a large landmass and significant Native American population. Billy shares his experience coming in as a new Executive Director and undertaking a year of discovery to assess the workforce ecosystem, leading to transformative changes such as implementing a virtual referral system and rebranding the board's message. Discover the importance of building relationships with partners like community colleges, overcoming barriers, and championing workforce development in the community.

E01: Adapting to the Future of Work: Insights from Pikes Peak Workforce Center May 15, 2024

Welcome back to an all-new edition of Workforce Central! In this episode, NAWB President and CEO, Brad Turner-Little, talks with Executive Director and CEO of Pikes Peak Workforce Center, Traci Marques. They discuss the vital role that workforce boards play in connecting businesses with job seekers and fostering economic vitality in their communities. Traci shares insights on how her organization serves the diverse needs of urban and rural areas, collaborates with economic development entities, supports small businesses, and helps military veterans transition into the civilian workforce. She also touches on exciting developments on the horizon, such as the integration of artificial intelligence to enhance the efficiency and impact of workforce boards.

E129: Meet Brad Turner-Little, CEO of NAWB Nov 30, 2023

Tune in for this special episode as Mike Fazio, Co-President of Workforce180 and Metrix Learning, interviews Brad Turner-Little, the new CEO of NAWB. Brad talks about his career journey and outlines his vision for NAWB.

E128: Mental Health in the Workplace: How Workforce Boards Can Support Wellness at Work May 22, 2023

John R. Blosnich, Assistant Professor and Director of the Center for LGBTQ+ Health Equity at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at USC, joins the program to discuss the impact of mental health in the workplace. Discover the impact of the pandemic on workers’ mental health and the life disruptions that can lead to suicidal ideation. John also reveals why workforce professionals often come in contact with individuals who may be experiencing a life crisis and how to best support job seekers who may have mental health challenges.

E127: The Employment Consequences of Robots Apr 25, 2023

Jay Dixon, an economist for Statistics Canada, joins the program to discuss the research that his organization has conducted about robots and the impact of robots on various industries. Jay reveals three major takeaways from the study and the impact of robots on middle-skill jobs. Discover the correlation between robot adoption and worker shortages in different countries.

E126: Google Career Certificates: Providing Job Training in Fast Growing Fields Mar 09, 2023

This episode features a conversation with Janice Fidalgo, Product Marketing Manager for Grow with Google, as she provides an overview of the tools and resources available to help job seekers grow their skills. Discover some of the career certificates available through Grow with Google and their partnership with NAWB. You’ll also learn about how the career certificates can help employers identify top talent.

E125: Quiet Quitting and Workplace Mental Health Jan 31, 2023

Author and consultant Oreste D'Aversa joins the program to discuss the phenomenon of "quiet quitting" and the impact that it has on the workforce. Oreste reveals the definition of quiet quitting and some of the reasons behind it. Discover the importance of communication between employees and employers, and how employers can address quiet quitting if it is occurring in their organization. You'll also hear about the importance of mental wellness in the workplace and learn a meditation exercise that can be done in any location in only a few minutes.

E124: The Economy and Youth Labor Force Participation: With Economist Dr. Paul Harrington Oct 12, 2022

Dr. Paul Harrington, Professor, and Director of the Center for Labor Markets and Policy at Drexel University, returns to the program to provide an updated look at the economy and the labor market. Paul discusses the shift of the regional labor markets, the impact of remote work and the changing dynamics of labor relationships. Discover labor participation rates among youth.

E123: Preparing Justice Involved Individuals for Successful Reentry and Living Wage Employment Aug 08, 2022

Arti Finn, Co-Founder of American Prison Data Systems (APDS), joins the program to discuss the work that her organization does to promote free and ethical education options for incarcerated learners. Discover some of the biggest challenges in the US around preparing people for employment and a successful transition out of incarceration. Arti also reveals why this should be an issue of focus for workforce boards and how to more intentionally engage this population.

E122: Maximizing Impact with the American Rescue Plan Jul 15, 2022

This episode features an interview with Walter Simmons, CEO of Employ Prince George's and Kyle Marinelli, Manager of Government Relations and Policy for NAWB, as they discuss what workforce boards need to know about the American Recovery Plan Act, or ARPA. You’ll hear details about an exciting new Workforce Program Training Guide, created in partnership between NAWB, the Prince George's County Workforce Development Board and Employ Prince George's (EPG) outlining American Rescue Plan Act policies, definitions and procedures. For more information on the ARPA Guide, contact Kyle Marinelli at MarinelliK@NAWB.org

E121: Meeting Unprecedented Challenges: Ron Painter on the Importance of Workforce Boards Jun 20, 2022

This episode was originally recorded on the WorkforceRx Podcast by Futuro Health, a podcast where Futuro Health CEO Van Ton-Quinlivan interviews future-focused leaders in education, workforce and healthcare to explore new innovations and approaches. Ron Painter joins the program to discuss the vital role that workforce boards play in advancing economic opportunity, and the importance of bringing together key stakeholders including housing, transportation and community-based organizations. Ron reveals how communities are leveraging their networks and why he is optimistic about the unprecedented challenges facing employers and workers.

E120: Preparing Diverse Learners to Pursue In-Demand Cloud Roles May 11, 2022

Kevin Kelly, Director of AWS Education Programs at Amazon Web Services, joins the program to discuss the importance of cloud computing for the future of work and the work that AWS Education Programs does to help prepare diverse learners to pursue in-demand cloud roles. Kevin reveals details about a recent global digital skills study and the growing need for technical knowledge due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

E119: The Power of Data: Empowering Workforce Systems to Achieve Equitable Economic Advance for All Mar 24, 2022

This episode features an interview with Eshwar Eswaran, Director, JFFLabs LEAD (Leading Economic Advancement through Data). Eshwar discusses the work that JFF is doing to find new and innovative ways to lead workforce and education systems to achieve equitable economic advancement for all, through data and data-driven solutions. He also reveals how timely, accurate and reliable data can help workforce boards increase their impact and responsiveness.

E118: A Look at the Labor Market: With Economist Dr. Paul Harrington Mar 10, 2022

Dr. Paul Harrington, Professor, and Director of the Center for Labor Markets and Policy at Drexel University, returns to the program to discuss the current state of the labor market. Dr. Harrington shares insights about the impact of the Great Resignation, youth participation in the labor market, as well as his thoughts about immigration and education.

E117: AI, The Great Resignation, and Supporting Transitioning Veterans Feb 09, 2022

Kamal Ahluwalia, president of Eightfold.ai, joins the program to provide an overview of his organization, share his thoughts about the Great Resignation, as well as his work with veterans and the Transition Assistance Program (TAP). Discover the promise of AI and the importance of creating a succession plan for every individual in an organization. Kamal also discusses what organizations need to think about when working with transitioning veterans.

E116: Driving Results: Making the Most of Federal Relief Funding Nov 15, 2021

Andi Phillips, Founder and Managing Partner, the Community Outcomes Fund at Maycomb Capital, joins the program to discuss her thoughts about how workforce boards and local governments can make the most of record stimulus dollars. Discover how to access flexible funding and how to use outcome-based contracts to align spending with the mandated reporting requirements from Treasury.

E115: Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi on Investing in U.S Workforce Development and Training Aug 30, 2021

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi joins the program to share his thoughts about the importance of investing in skill development for the U.S. labor force. Congressman Krishnamoorthi reveals how being a small business owner has shaped his thoughts about workforce and talent development and the challenges that the U.S. is facing when it comes to skilling and reskilling the workforce. He also reveals the role that immigration needs to play in the U.S. labor market.

E114: How Coursera is Transforming Lives Through Learning Jul 07, 2021

Coursera CEO Jeff Maggioncalda joins the program to discuss the important role that his company has played during the pandemic, and how online learning can help increase the accessibility of education and decrease inequality. Discover some of the biggest learning and education trends that have occurred over the past year and the changing nature of work. Jeff also shares his thoughts on the Coursera Skills Report, which explores skill trends worldwide, helping leaders in higher education, business and government learn which skills are essential for the future of work.

E113: Changing the Playbook: Innovative Approaches for Skilling and Reskilling the U.S. Labor Force Jun 04, 2021

Jason Tyszko, VP of the Center for Education and Workforce at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, joins the program to discuss the work of the Foundation, and the urgent need for skilling and reskilling the U.S. Labor Force. Jason reveals his thoughts about the need to reimagine what it looks like for the public sector to engage with the business community and discusses the Talent Finance initiative, which explores private sector-led solutions and innovations in finance to better invest in people.

E112: Recruiting and Hiring for Remote and Flexible Jobs May 12, 2021

Widely acclaimed workplace expert, speaker, strategist and innovator Mika Cross joins the program to discuss FlexJobs, a leader in the remote and flexible employment space for employers and job seekers. Discover what employers need to think about when onboarding remote workers, as well as how to attract a newer and wider segment of talent. Mika also reveals how the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted how employees think about work-life balance.

E111: The Unspoken Rules- with Gorick Ng Apr 27, 2021

Gorick Ng, first-gen college student, Harvard grad, management consultant and author of The Unspoken Rules, joins the program to discuss the rules that employees aren’t taught in school, including how to navigate a new role, take ownership, manage expectations, or handle workplace politics.

Discover what top performers do and don’t realize, and how these “unspoken rules” get passed down over the dinner table, or from mentee to mentor, creating an unlevel playing field, with the insiders getting ahead and the outsiders stumbling along through trial and error. Discover wisdom distilled from over 500 interviews with professionals across industries and job types about the biggest mistakes people make at work.

E110: Ensuring Access to Quality Postsecondary Education Mar 26, 2021

Martha Kanter, CEO of College Promise and former Under Secretary of Education, and Jane Oates, President of Working Nation, and former Assistant Secretary for the Employment and Training Administration, join the program to discuss the changes that they have seen regarding education and workforce. Martha and Jane share their thoughts about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning on education, and the efforts that are underway to make work-based learning readily available to students. Discover the changes that need to happen to make a college education more accessible for all students.

E109: Career Navigation Technology- Trends, Challenges and Opportunities Mar 09, 2021

Clare Bertrand, Director at JFFLabs. joins the program to discuss the importance of career navigation technology in 2021 and beyond. Clare shares her thoughts about how career development technology fits into virtual service design, and what workforce boards should think about when investigating different tech tools. Discover where investments are being made and a gap in the market when it comes to serving underrepresented communities.

E108: The 100 Questions Initiative: Ensuring a Future that Benefits Everyone Feb 22, 2021

In this episode, you’ll learn about the 100 Questions Initiative, which seeks to map the world’s 100 most pressing high impact questions that could be answered if relevant data sets were leveraged in a responsible manner. Discover why the future of work is a critical focus for the 100 Questions Initiative, and how to create a common understanding of current and future workforce challenges.

E107: COVID-19 Compliance Requirements- What Employers Need to Know Feb 10, 2021

Susan Gross Sholinsky, a labor and employment attorney at Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. and Vice Chair of the firm’s National Employment, Labor & Workforce Management Steering Committee, joins the program to discuss COVID-19 compliance requirements for employers. Discover resources to stay informed about changing laws and what employers need to think about when it comes to liability. You’ll also hear about whether employers can require a mandatory vaccine policy and the approach that the new administration may take when it comes to the regulatory landscape.

NOTE: The information presented in this episode is not intended and should not be taken as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. The content reflects the personal views and opinions of both Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. and NAWB.

E106: Foresight Thinking, Emerging Trends, and the Pandemic Jan 06, 2021

Richard Lum, CEO of Vision Foresight Strategy, LLC, returns to the program to discuss why a global pandemic is something that could be anticipated, but not necessarily predicted, and what it takes to do quality foresight and strategy work. Discover the key building blocks to foresight work, the industries that are most likely to continue to be impacting by the pandemic, and why workforce boards are well positioned for the future.

E105: Supporting Job Seeker Performance and Growth Dec 14, 2020

Michael Simpson, CEO of PAIRIN, joins the program to discuss the work that his company is doing to make everyone’s journey personally relevant and equitable. Discover how PAIRIN’s science-based technology and personalized approach to client services ensures not only the success of clients’ programs, but also the success of people in their communities who benefit most from skills-based development and career services. Michael also shares his thoughts about a recent report that PAIRIN released about the 8 foundational building blocks for individual performance and growth.

E104: Grow with Google: Helping Jobseekers Kickstart Their Careers in High-Demand Fields Dec 08, 2020

Christian Michael, Program Manager for Grow with Google, joins the program to discuss the work that Google is doing to create opportunities for nontraditional talent to kickstart their careers in high demand fields, including IT. Christian reveals why Google created their own career certificates and shares why Google is looking to partner with local workforce boards across the United States.

E103: Workforce Trends, Challenges, and Best Practices Dec 01, 2020

Mark Douglass, President of Equus Workforce Solutions, joins the program to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and labor needs. Discover some of the skills that will be increasingly important in the new workplace, and what employers are looking for when evaluating talent. Mark also shares his thoughts on why the workforce system is uniquely qualified to assist with upskilling and reskilling the labor force of today and the future.

E102: Apprenticeships in the Age of COVID-19- With Eric Seleznow, Senior Advisor at JFF Nov 11, 2020

Eric Seleznow, Senior Advisor at JFF and Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for the US Department of Labor, joins the program to discuss trends in apprenticeships, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on apprenticeship programs. Discover the various benefits of apprenticeships for employers and job seekers, and the need for strategic partnerships.

E101: Elevating America's Workforce- With Congresswoman Elise Stefanik Sep 09, 2020

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik from New York's 21st District in the House of Representatives, joins the program to discuss her advocacy for Fort Drum and the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has created at the U.S.- Canadian border. She also discusses Elevating America’s Workforce Act, legislation that establishes personal reemployment accounts (PRAs) to help displaced workers obtain the training and skills necessary for sustained employment.

E100: Driving From the Backseat- How Leaders Can Survive and Succeed Aug 28, 2020

Ronnie Bryant, Founder of Ronnie L. Bryant, LLC and former CEO of the Charlotte Regional Partnership, joins the program to share tips for how leaders can survive and succeed in tumultuous times. Discover the first questions that leaders need to ask, the characteristics of effective leaders, and the metrics by which leaders are measured.

E99: Creating a Culture of Care- Improving Equitable and Inclusive Outcomes Jun 12, 2020

Dr. Paul David Spradley, CEO of Care Based Leadership, LLC, joins the program to discuss the work that his company does collaboratively designing specific solutions around improving organizational climate and equitable and inclusive outcomes. Discover the power of mentoring, how to engage young African-American men, and how to create a culture of care.

E98: The Economy and the Emerging Workforce- Challenges and Opportunities In the Age of COVID-19 Jun 01, 2020

Dr. Paul Harrington, Professor and Director of the Center for Labor Markets and Policy at Drexel University, joins the program to discuss the impact of the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on young people and the emerging workforce. Dr. Harrington also shares his thoughts on the impact that the current disruption may have on the education system, and the decisions that students make regarding pursuing college and careers.

E97: Operation Next- Preparing Military Personnel for Careers in Advanced Manufacturing May 28, 2020

In this episode, you'll learn about Operation Next, and the work that they are doing preparing military personnel careers in advanced manufacturing. Launched as a pilot at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in early 2018, Operation Next is an innovative, manufacturing-focused training and credentialing initiative. Operation Next provides a blended learning program to soldiers within their last six months of service, but while still on active duty, resulting in the individual earning one or more nationally portable, standards-based, industry recognized credentials.

E96: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Workforce System and the Economy May 20, 2020

Dr. Jerry Paytas, Economic Development Pracademic, Vice President of Analytics at the Fourth Economy, joins the program to share his perspective on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. economy. Discover what workforce boards need to keep in mind when it comes to economic development, and what we can learn from the response from other countries.

E95: Preparing the Pipeline of Skilled Manufacturing Talent May 05, 2020

Leo Reddy, CEO of the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council, joins the program to discuss the importance of a strong national industrial base and the emerging technologies that are impacting the industry. Discover the changing perception and reality about modern manufacturing and the innovation that occurring in the manufacturing sector.

E94: Struggling and Surviving in the Gig Economy May 01, 2020

Dr. Alexandrea Ravenelle, author of Hustle and Gig: Struggling and Surviving in the Sharing Economy, joins the program to discuss the costs, benefits and social impact of freelance work and the gig economy. Discover the economic forces that have led to an increase in freelance work, and why some freelance workers do well in the gig economy while others struggle. Dr. Ravenelle also discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gig workers.

E93: The Future of Career, Technical and Adult Education Apr 27, 2020

Scott Stump, the Assistance Secretary of Career, Technical and Adult Education at the U.S. Department of Education, joins the program to reveal the work that the DOE is doing to ensure that all students have the education and skills that they need to find meaningful employment. Discover the acceleration towards digital learning and the changing nature of delivering education to students. Scott also shares his thoughts about the need to move past a "one size fits all" approach to education and how workforce boards can be part of the solution.

E92: Profile of a Gig Worker Apr 24, 2020

Musician and freelance worker Jastin Artis joins the program to discuss the challenges and opportunities of being a gig worker. Discover the skills needed to be successful in the gig economy, and lessons for workforce boards.

To hear learn more about Jastin and hear his music, visit: https://www.justapuppet.com/

E91: Workforce Lessons From Long Beach, CA Feb 27, 2020

Nick Schultz, Pacific Gateway Executive Director, joins host Ron Painter, President & CEO of NAWB, as they discuss the efforts that have been made to strengthen the workforce system in Long Beach, CA. Discover the unique opportunities that The Port of Long Beach provides to the area, the impact that automation has had on employment, and the takeaways for workforce boards.

E90: Workforce Lessons from Kansas Feb 12, 2020

Keith Lawing, President and Chief Executive Officer at Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas, Inc. joins host Ron Painter, President and CEO of NAWB, to discuss how they are preparing their workforce to meet the needs of employers. Discover the importance of industry and educational partnerships, and the mindset shift that is needed for the workforce system to evolve.

E89: Workforce Executive Boot Camp- Developing New Workforce Leaders Feb 03, 2020

Bob Lanter, Executive Director of the California Workforce Association, joins the program to discuss the Workforce Executive Boot Camp. Discover who the boot camp is for and what it entails. Bob also reveals the important partnership between workforce leaders and the education system and innovative ways to energize board members. to Learn more, visit https://forum.nawb.org/forum/bootcamp

E88: The Role of Workforce Boards in Disaster Preparedness Dec 13, 2019

Kimberly L Bodine, Executive Director for CareerSource Gulf Coast, joins the program to discuss the vital role that workforce boards play in preparing for and responding to disasters. She also discusses the upcoming event, Beacon of Resiliency: Setting the Standard for Workforce Development Boards’ Disaster Response, which will be held January 8-9, 2020 in Panama City Beach, FL. To learn more, visit https://members.nawb.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1303553

E87: The National Young Farmers Coalition- Creating a Strong Future for U.S. Agriculture Dec 05, 2019

Sanaz Arjomand, Federal Policy Director at the National Young Farmer’s Coalition, joins the program to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing young farmers. She reveals the policy priorities for the Young Farmer’s Coalition and the various industries that are impacted by the agriculture industry.

E86: Making Tech Careers Accessible For All Nov 14, 2019

Mark Plunkett, Senior Director of Business Development at CompTIA, joins the program to discuss the current state of careers in technology, the need for talent, and what employers are looking for. He also reveals what workforce boards need to think about when it comes to helping to attract individuals into tech careers, and how to make tech jobs accessible to all.

If you’re interested in a discussion with Mark and the CompTIA Custom Training team, you can contact him at mplunkett@comptia.org.

E85: Helping Careers Take Flight- Building a Regional Talent Pipeline Oct 02, 2019

This episode features an interview with Sheree Utash, President of WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, and Vice President of Workforce Development for WSU. Sheree discusses the creation of the National Center for Aviation Training, and the need for the technical education system to prepare students for high demand jobs. She also reveals the education and workforce challenges and opportunities in her region, and what workforce boards need to think about when it comes to skill development.

E84: Ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne on Trade, The Workforce, and The Economy- Part 2 Sep 19, 2019

This episode features an interview with Earl Anthony Wayne, An accomplished diplomat and executive, Ambassador Wayne has served in a wide variety of positions during his career, including as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and Argentina, Deputy Ambassador in Afghanistan, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe. In this episode, he discusses where the U.S. ranks when it comes to preparing for the workforce challenges of tomorrow, the skills that workers will need, and the need to understand the global supply chain.

To learn more, visit https://www.wilsoncenter.org/collection/the-north-american-workforce-development-initiative

E83: Ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne on Trade, The Workforce, and The Economy- Part 1 Sep 06, 2019

This episode features an interview with Earl Anthony Wayne, An accomplished diplomat and executive, Ambassador Wayne has served in a wide variety of positions during his career, including as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and Argentina, Deputy Ambassador in Afghanistan, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe. In this episode, he discusses the impact of trade agreements on the economy, the need for employers to provide training for workers, and the importance of cooperation between the United States, Mexico and Canada. Stay tuned for part 2 of NAWB President and CEO Ron Painter's interview with Ambassador Wayne!

E82: Building Learning-Based Pathways to Economic Opportunity Aug 19, 2019

Mary Alice McCarthy, Director of the Center on Education and Skills with the Education Policy program at New America, joins the program to discuss the current state of apprenticeships and work-based learning. Discover the work that New America is doing to advance youth apprenticeships on a national level. Mary Alice reveals why apprenticeships are increasing in popularity with parents and students, and the potential drawbacks of short-term credentialing programs.

E81: UpSkill America- An Employer-Led Movement To Expand Opportunity for America's Workers Jul 23, 2019

Jamie Fall, Director of UpSkill America at the Aspen Institute, joins the program to discuss the importance of employers investing in their employees, and the benefits of those investments for both employees and employers. He reveals some of the workforce and economic trends that have motivated employers to take the lead when it comes to investing in their employees, as well as the increasing range of investments being made by employers.

E80: Newport Sunshine Initiative- Revitalizing Small-Town America Jul 10, 2019

Jay Lucas, CEO and Chairman of the Lucas Group, joins the program to discuss the Newport Sunshine Initiative and the work that is being done to build a stronger economic base and enhance opportunity in Newport, He also discusses some of the particular challenges and opportunities facing small towns in the U.S. and lessons learned from his experiences so far. To learn more, visit https://www.jaylucas.us/ and to get Jay's book, visit https://www.amazon.com/American-Sunshine-Rays-Hope-Opportunity-ebook/dp/B07BZYPKC7

E79: Developing and Highlighting Skilled Talent In Your Region Jun 26, 2019

Today's episode features an interview with the winners of the 2019 Laurie Moran Partnership Award. The award is given jointly to a workforce development board and chamber of commerce that have formed a significant partnership to advance the workforce and economic development of their local region. The Partnership Award is named in honor of Laurie Moran, who served on the West Piedmont Workforce Investment Board from 2001 to 2016 and was President of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce from 2002 until her passing. She was a member of the Board of the National Association of Workforce Boards from 2004 to 2015, serving as chair from 2011 to 2013. The featured guests and winners are Ashley Cagle, Assistant Executive Director, Wake County Economic Development, Vice President, Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Kimberly Wheeler, Director Business Engagement for the Capital Area Workforce Development. Discover how the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce/Wake County Economic Development Program forged an effective partnership with Capital Area WDB, Wake Technical Community College and NC State University to recruit HCL Technologies, a dynamic information technology global enterprise headquartered in India, to demonstrate the existence of a highly capable skilled workforce, and enable HCL Technologies to grow and flourish in the Research Triangle regional market

E78: Partnering With Your Workforce Board To Meet Talent Needs Jun 18, 2019

This episode features an interview with Robyn Safron, Senior Human Resources Manager of HydraForce. HydraForce was recognized by the National Association of Workforce Boards as the recipient of the 2019 W.O. Lawton Business Leadership Award. Robyn reveals how HydraForce partnered with their local workforce board to meet their immediate and long-term talent needs, and shares advice for other companies looking to do the same.

E77: Developing and Delivering Innovative Workforce Solutions May 31, 2019

The West Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board was presented with the 2019 WIOA Trailblazer Award in a ceremony at the NAWB Forum in Washington D.C. The award, which is an initiative of the NAWB, recognizes innovation and leadership in developing and delivering workforce solutions in the community. In this episode, Jacob Maas, CEO of West Michigan Works! joins the program to discuss some of innovative practices happening in his region, the importance of developing partnerships, and shares advice and tips for success.

E76: Vocational Rehabilitation- Trends, Changes and the Impact of Technology May 14, 2019

Steve Wooderson, CEO of the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR), Rita Martin, Deputy Director of CSAVR, and Kathy West-Evans, Director of Business Relations for CSAVR, ,join the program to discuss the impact that technology has had on vocational rehabilitation, the changing demographics of who is served, as well as industry trends.

E75: Restoring Opportunity For The Working Class May 01, 2019

Tamar Jacoby, President of Opportunity America, and Anne Kim, Vice President of Domestic Policy at The Progressive Policy Institute, join the program to discuss the report Work, Skills, Community: Restoring Opportunity for the Working Class – a slate of bipartisan proposals to create jobs, train and retrain workers and revitalize blue-collar communities.

E74: Uplifting Low-Wage Workers Apr 17, 2019

Russell Krumnow, Director of Economic Mobility and Poverty Project at Convergence and Lisa Schumacher. Director of Education Strategies at McDonald's Corporation join the program to discuss how to close the education gap for low-wage workers. Discover how Convergence is creating dialogues between stakeholders with differing views, and how they are coming together to break down barriers for workers.

E73: The Once and Future Worker- With Oren Cass Apr 03, 2019

Oren Cass, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research and author of "The Once and Future Worker- A Vision of Work in America" joins the program to discuss trends for the future of work, the impact that technology will have on workers, and the cultural importance of work. Oren reveals his thoughts about how we can rethink our assumptions about work and education, and how to ensure that every American has an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to society.

To order Oren's book, visit https://www.amazon.com/Once-Future-Worker-Renewal-America/dp/1641770147/

E72: Career Opportunities and Industry Trends In The Landscaping Industry Mar 12, 2019

Jim McCutcheon, CEO of HighGrove Partners, LLC and Teddy Russell, CEO of Russell Landscape Companies, join the program to discuss the benefits of landscaping as a career and the breadth of jobs available. They also reveal misconceptions about the industry, as well as future trends.

E71: The Forgotten Americans- With Dr. Isabel Sawhill Feb 27, 2019

Dr. Isabel Sawhill, senior fellow in Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution , joins the program to discuss her book The Forgotten Americans: An Economic Agenda for a Divided Nation. Dr. Sawhill addresses the enormous divisions in American society—economic, cultural, and political—and what might be done to bridge them. She reveals the core values of the segment of the U.S. population that she calls "The Forgotten Americans", and what they are looking for from work and from their employers.

To learn more and to get a copy of the book, visit https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Americans-Economic-Agenda-Divided/dp/0300230362

E70: Upskilling The Workforce Through Adult Education Feb 06, 2019

Jonathan Blitt, CEO of Aztec Software, joins the program to discuss the need for personalized adult education and distance learning and the impact it can have on the labor market. He also reveals the most in-demand skills for employers and surprising places to find new talent.

E69: Increasing Opportunities for Low-Income Families Jan 23, 2019

This episode features an interview with Robert Doar, the Morgridge Fellow in Poverty Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). Robert discusses how connecting low-income individuals to job opportunities is a key piece of lifting people out of poverty, and how to combine job placement efforts with additional assistance in order to get the best results.

E68: An Innovative Way to Celebrate Career and Technical Education Jan 08, 2019

This epiosde features Clark Coco, dean of Washburn Institute of Technology in Topeka, Kansas as he discusses National CTE Letter of Intent Signing Day, a national event that recognizes students beginning career and technical education.

The National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) is sponsoring the sixth annual National CTE Letter of Intent Signing Day across the country on February 21st, 2019. The event mirrors the NCAA’s National Signing Day for athletes who commit to play sports in college, but instead of athletes, NC3’s Signing Day is designed to honor students who are entering a technical field and to celebrate the dignity of work.

E67: Emerging Trends and the Future of Work Nov 15, 2018

Richard Lum from Vision Foresight Strategy, returns to the program to discuss emerging trends and the future of work. He discusses how to separate out "noise" from truly important data and how to sift through various information sources. He also reveals his thoughts about how automation and A.I. may impact the future economy and workforce.

E66: Advanced Manufacturing- Trends, Challenges and Opportunities Sep 28, 2018

Greg Biggs, CEO of Vander-Bend Manufacturing, joins the program to discuss the changes in manufacturing, what skills are required for advanced manufacturing, and the efforts that his company is making to attract and retain top talent. Greg also challenges some misconceptions about the impact of automation and robotics on the manufacturing industry.

E65: Newsmaker Edition- With Pete Sepp, President of the National Taxpayers Union Sep 10, 2018

Pete Sepp, President of the National Taxpayers Union, joins the program to discuss the NTU's position about tariffs, job training and education funding in the U.S. Discover the potential impact that tariffs can have on U.S. jobs, and what industries could be effected most.

E64: How The Retail Industry Supports Job Growth and Economic Development Aug 08, 2018

Ellen Davis, President of the NRF Foundation and Senior Vice President of research and strategic initiatives at the National Retail Federation, joins the program to discuss the facts and misconceptions about the retail industry in the U.S., the impact that retail has on other industries, and what workforce boards need to know about retail.

E63: National Coalition of Certification Centers- Producing a Sustainable, Highly Skilled Workforce Aug 01, 2018

Recorded live at FORUM 2018, Roger Tadajewski, Executive Director of the National Coalition of Certification Centers, joins the program to discuss the work that the organization is doing to develop strong industry partnerships with educational institutions in order to develop, implement and sustain industry-driven and industry recognized, portable certifications that have strong validation and assessment standards in the transportation, energy and aviation sectors.

E62: Building a Skills-Based Labor Market Jul 30, 2018

In this special episode, recorded live at FORUM 2018, Ron Painter is joined by Beth Cobert, CEO of Skillful. Discover the importance of building a skills-based labor market and the efforts that Skillful has been taking to achieve that goal.

E61: Workforce Opportunities in the Propane Industry Jun 13, 2018

Eric Kuster from the National Propane Gas Association joins the program to discuss the history of propane gas and the various opportunities for growth within the industry.

Discover the training and job opportunities that are available in the propane industry. This episode was recorded live at The Forum 2018.

E60: Interview with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper May 16, 2018

Recorded live from Forum 2018, this episode features an interview with Governor of Colorado John Hickenlooper, as he shares his thoughts on workforce development in his state and the country.

E59: Creating An Exciting and Engaged Workforce Board in San Diego Apr 26, 2018

Peter Callstrom, President and CEO of the San Diego Workforce Partnership and Phil Blair, Board Chair of the San Diego Workforce Partnership, join the program to discuss the efforts they are making to expand their ability to develop comprehensive workforce solutions for San Diego. San Diego Workforce Partnership was the winner of the 2018 WIOA Trailblazer Award.

E58: From Forum 2018-Samuel Garcia, W.O. Lawton Business Leadership Award Winner Apr 23, 2018

Samuel Garcia, board member, and Mary Ross, executive director of Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas, join the program to discuss the Workforce Investment Fund, designed to help small businesses train current workers. Samuel also discusses the reasons why he joined the board as a small business owner and shares his thoughts about why local business owners should consider serving on their area workforce boards. Recorded live at Forum 2018.

E57: Profiles of the Unemployed and Strategies for Connecting Them To Employment Feb 21, 2018

Martha Ross, Fellow at the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings, joins the program to discuss findings and takeaways from a recent study called "Meet The Out of Work" which looked at profiles of jobless adults in various geographic regions across the U.S. Martha reveals what she sees as the biggest challenges and opportunities for workforce boards, and the importance of relationship-based interventions.

E56: The Staffing Industry- Trends and Takeaways Feb 07, 2018

This episode features an interview with Richard Wahlquist, President, and CEO of the American Staffing Association. Richard shares his thoughts on why staffing services are so vital to the economy and the benefits of flexible staffing for various industries. Discover current industry trends and the takeaways for workforce boards.

E55: Policies and Trends- A Look Ahead to 2018 Jan 10, 2018

Ron Painter, President and CEO of NAWB, discusses trends to look out for in 2018- including policy issues that are likely to be addressed by Congress in 2018, and the potential implications for workforce boards.

E54: Federal Budget Priorities for 2018- What You Need to Know Dec 27, 2017

Sharon Parrott, Senior Fellow and Senior Counselor at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, joins the program to discuss the budget priorities for the current administration and shares her perspective on the proposed tax bill and what it means potentially down the road for continued funding of workforce and other programs. Sharon explains why budget cuts are not inevitable and what can be done to ensure that funding is able to continue at appropriate levels.

E53: Transforming The Veteran Services Marketplace Nov 08, 2017

Chris Ford, Founder and CEO of NAVSO (National Association of Veteran Serving Organizations) discusses the challenges that veterans often face when transitioning from military service to civilian employment. Chris also shares why employers should consider veterans for positions within their organizations and how employers can think more broadly about the skill sets that veterans possess and how those skills translate to civilian employment.

E52: What's Next? Continuing the Conversation About the Future of Work Oct 25, 2017

Futurist Richard Lum returns to the program to discuss the most recent trends and thinking about the future of work, and the potential impact on the workforce system. Discover the disruptive forces that are acting upon the labor market, and the potential impact of those forces on employers and job seekers.

E51: Getting Men Back To Work Oct 11, 2017

Brent Orrell and Harry Holzer, two of the authors of the report "Getting Men Back To Work" join the program to discuss the problem of unemployment among men, particularly less educated men. They discuss the structural reasons and personal choices that have led to a decline in employment for men, and solutions from the right and left about how to get men back into meaningful and well paid jobs.

E50: The Rise of Irregular Employment Sep 20, 2017

Wingham Rowan, Director of "Beyond Jobs" and Alison Gerber, Senior Associate from the Annie E. Casey Foundation join the program to discuss the report "Beyond Gig Work: Public Markets For Irregular Employment" and the takeaways from the study. Discover the implications of the gig economy and the opportunities that irregular employment create for the workforce system as a whole.

E49: Introduction to Season Three Aug 30, 2017

Ron Painter, CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) shares his reflections on the current state of the workforce system and what to expect from season 3 of Workforce Central. Discover the themes that will be explored in upcoming episodes.

E48: Labor Market Exclusion- Lessons for Workforce Boards Jul 12, 2017

Jerry Paytas, VP of Analytics at Fourth Economy, discusses the challenge of labor market exclusion and the lessons for workforce boards. Discover why full employment has not led to rising incomes for all and what can be done to help those who have been excluded from the labor market to find meaningful work.

E47: Labor Market Challenges and Opportunities Jun 28, 2017

Paul Harrington, Director of The Center for Labor Markets and Policy at Drexel University, returns to the program to discuss the opportunities and challenges of full employment in the labor market, as well as the importance of including young people in the labor pool.

E46: The Challenge of Full Employment Jun 14, 2017

NAWB President and CEO Ron Painter discusses the challenge of full employment in the US labor market and reveals some upcoming guests who will providing advice and tips regarding what this means for workforce boards as well as possible solutions.

For more information, visit www.nawb.org

E45: Building Careers In the Restaurant and Hotel Industries May 31, 2017

Wendi Safstrom the Vice President, Programs and Administration at The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and Shelly Weir, Senior Vice President of Career Development at The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AHLEF)discuss the work that their foundations are doing respectively to provide labor talent to their industries. This episode was recording live at The Forum 2017.

E44: The Construction Industry-Workforce Challenges and Opportunities May 17, 2017

Recorded live at The Forum 2017, Mike Glavin from Associated Builders and Contractors discusses the labor challenges facing the construction industry. Discover industry trends, as well as the opportunities that exist in the construction industry and the steps that the industry is taking to develop future talent.

For more information, visit www.nawb.org

E43: The Role of Workforce in Economic Development May 03, 2017

This episode features an interview with Tom Murphy, a former mayor of Pittsburgh and ULI Canizaro/Klingbeil Families Chair for Urban Development. Tom discusses the important role that the workforce system plays in economic development, and the efforts that his administration made to rebuild Pittsburgh after the decline of the steel industry.

E42: The Forum 2017- Takeaways and Opportunities Apr 19, 2017

Doug Foresta, Director of Podcast Services at WORKFORCE180 and producer of Workforce Central, hosts this special follow up episode to The NAWB Forum 2017. You'll hear from attendees about what they value most about NAWB and some of the challenges that they are facing in their region, and how they are going about solving those challenges.

To learn more about NAWB, visit www.nawb.org

E41: Lessons From An Award Winning Industry Partnership Mar 29, 2017

This episode features an interview with Judy McDonald, Executive Director of Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County in Texas and Jon Gustafson from Lockheed Martin Corporation, as they discuss how they were able to create a successful industry partnership. Judy and Jon are the 2017 recipients of the W. O. Lawton Award Winner – Large Company. Discover the key takeaways from this partnership and the lessons for workforce boards across the U.S.

To learn more about NAWB, visit www.nawb.org

E40: Lessons From The Gold Standard Evaluation Mar 08, 2017

Kenneth Fortson, senior economist and associate director for research at Mathametica Policy Research joins the program to discuss the results from the Gold Standard Evaluation and the takeaways for workforce boards. Discover some of the most surprising findings from the study thus far, and the implications for the workforce system.

To learn more about NAWB, visit www.nawb.org

E39: Evaluation and Return on Investment in Workforce Feb 22, 2017

Dr. Christopher King joins Ron Painter to discuss evaluation and return on investment (ROI)in the workforce development system. Dr. King shares what he looks for in an evaluation report and what workforce boards need to think about when it comes to evaluation.

To learn more about the National Association of Workforce Boards, visit www.nawb.org

E38: Ron Painter on Evaluation in Workforce Feb 08, 2017

Ron Painter, CEO of NAWB, discusses the importance of evaluation in workforce, beyond compliance requirements. Ron shares his thoughts about how workforce boards and workforce systems need to be thinking about evaluation and shares how members can access additional resources about evaluation.

To learn more about NAWB, visit www.nawb.org

E37: How Workforce Boards Can Engage in Education Policy Jan 25, 2017

Mary Gardner Clagett, Director for National Workforce Policy for Jobs for the Future, joins Ron Painter as a co-host. Discover why workforce boards should care about education policy and how boards can effectively engage in shaping educational policy and programming.

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