Job Opportunity Investment Network

JOIN was named “Outstanding Collaborative” by the National Fund for Workforce Solutions

This award recognizes JOIN’s work in supporting innovative partnerships, substantively adding to the regional conversation about human capital with work like ROI 360, and driving a thoughtful, strategic policy agenda. JOIN was one of two recipients for this award out of a field of 32 potential winners. We brought a group with us to Cincinnati, including partners from the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, the manufacturing partnership and Drexel University, one of our employer partners.

JOIN receives $40,000 Boeing Grant to Support On the Job Training

This grant will support expanded partnership between JOIN and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Workforce Development Partnership (link to partnership page), a coalition of advanced manufacturers, food manufacturers and transportation and logistics employers. We were able to apply for this grant through our connection with the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, who developed the relationship with the Boeing Foundation. This is the first time these employers have tapped in to “on the job training” in a concerted way, so we’re happy to provide the bridge to these flexible dollars!

To Fix Skill Gaps, Think Local

It’s estimated that between three to four million jobs are going unfilled in America. How is that possible, when so many individuals are out of work? Most of these jobs are “middle-skilled” positions, which don’t require a college degree, but demand more than a high school education. They include jobs in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, construction, “green” building and transportation/logistics.

Read article here.

Letter to the editor in the Patriot News (Harrisburg) from a former JOIN board member

Industry Partnerships has shown its value

I read the article (“Pa. workers rank high in upward mobility,” May 10) on the Pew Economic Mobility Project and Pennsylvania’s relative good score compared with the rest of the states.

Would you believe that part of this success rests on an initiative that is truly a Pennsylvania nonpartisan success story? The PA Department of Labor & Industry works with local workforce investment boards to bring employers together within a specific industry in a specific geographic region of the state and asks them to identify skill gaps in their industry. Then utilizing funds from private sector employers and a portion from the department’s Industry Partnership funds, the employers go about making sure their employees are trained in the skills needed.

The idea is to provide additional skills for workers so they can rise up career ladders and therefore make room for new employees. This Industry Partnership program has been duplicated in at least 15 other states nationwide.

What is unique is that recently Gov. Tom Corbett signed legislation that makes Industry Partnerships part of the annual budget, an initiative that was created by the preceding administration. Finally, leaders from both parties in the House and Senate have advanced this initiative.

Sometimes government does things that pay off for citizens, and this is one of those times.
ROBERT G. GARRATY 
President and CEO 
Garraty Workforce Investment, Swatara Twp.

Defending Philanthropy From Its Detractors

By NRO Staff

May 25, 2011 4:08 P.M.

In response to Jim Lacey’s article “Gates, Buffett, and Misguided Philanthropy,” National Review Online received this letter from Steve Gunderson of the Council on Foundations.

Read the article HERE.

Workforce Development Partnership Serves Both Employers and Employees

By Cheryl Feldman, Executive Director, District 1199C Training and Upgrading Fund, Philadelphia

The health-care industry is the largest employer in Pennsylvania, and as a result, this industry has a huge impact on the state’s economy.1 As baby boomers age and their health-care needs increase, however, the state is facing a health-care workforce shortage that is magnified by high turnover rates, an inadequate pool of qualified employees, and a lack of qualified instructors.

Read the full article HERE.

Arne Duncan supports JOIN

February 28, 2011: U.S. Secretaries of Education and Labor, Arne Duncan and Hilda Solis, visit
trainees at the JOIN supported District 1199C Training and Upgrading Fund. In the words of Secretary
Solis, “I think this is a great model that we would love to see replicated.”

New York Times

January 25, 2011: JOIN and its partners are featured in an op-ed in the New York Times for our work to “teach residents the skills they need to re-imagine the urban voids they encounter every day.” Click here to view the article.