The solution

JOIN believes industry-led partnerships offer a solution to Greater Philadelphia’s challenges by simultaneously addressing the skill needs of low-income workers and the talent needs of regional businesses. These partnerships bring together a number of employers in the same industry to identify talent gaps. Then, the partnerships connect these employers to training providers, state agencies, and community-based non-profits that help prepare low-skilled adults to fill available, mid-skilled positions. This approach builds on the mutual interest of employers and workers.

JOIN specifically invests in workforce partnerships that meet five criteria:

• 1. Are organized with a “dual customer” orientation that seeks to benefit both workers and businesses.
• 2. Bring together a group of employers in a common industry and region to identify shared talent needs.
• 3. Move beginning and underemployed workers into career pathways in fast-growing industries.
• 4. Are led by an intermediary with both employer and workforce stakeholders.
• 5. Offer comprehensive services to ensure that vulnerable adults have adequate support to gain and sustain employment in an increasingly competitive labor market. This includes on-the-job training opportunities, career coaching, customized and contextualized learning, stackable credentials, supportive services, and retention services.

In addition to these “must-haves,” JOIN gives preference to workforce partnerships that:

• Bring more public resources into advancing low-skilled workers.
• Help to spur innovation in the public workforce system.
• Have business as a lead decision-maker with clear ownership over IP processes.
• Address the need for certification and credentialing.
• Improve employer hiring and retention practices.
• Enhance recruitment and retention of minorities and women.
• Bring together diverse stakeholders beyond employers and workers, including trade associations, state agencies, education and training providers, and community-based organizations.