National Skills Coalition

⏱ Do you have time today to share our new #jobopportunity? We are actively hiring for a Chief Development Officer! Details: https://lnkd.in/gqWR8_-u

"For too long, degree requirements have served as roadblocks for millions of workers who seek better jobs and better pay." This quote from the article captures a key issue in today’s workforce landscape: the shift toward skills-based hiring is opening doors for many Americans, particularly those without four-year degrees. Thank you, Earl Buford at CAEL, for explaining how the growing movement toward skills-first hiring is a positive development, offering more equitable pathways into the workforce. Major companies like Apple and IBM have begun adopting this approach, recognizing the value of candidates' skills over traditional academic credentials. However, challenges remain—while many entry-level opportunities are becoming more accessible, the lack of degree requirements for upper-level positions continues to limit career advancement for many workers. At National Skills Coalition, we advocate for policies that ensure all workers—especially those who face systemic barriers—have access to both the training they need to enter the workforce and the opportunities to advance within it. We believe that skills and degree attainment can, and should, go hand in hand to create a more inclusive and robust workforce.

👻 Defining #skillstraining doesn’t have to be frightful! Here are some spook-tacular phrases we love to use: * Skills training prepares people for jobs that require education past high school, but not a bachelor's degree. * Skills training includes career and technical education at community colleges, apprenticeships and work-based learning on job sites, job training at community organizations, and more. National Skills Coalition's Public Perspectives series: https://lnkd.in/exsa8jnx

👏 10 years of National Apprenticeship Week! 👏 WRTP | BIG STEP will host a Career Exploration Roundtable, showcasing real experiences from real apprentices in various stages in their journey. There will also be a career fair, giving attendants the opportunity to network with area employers and explore the union trades. Join us from 4 - 6 PM on Monday, November 18! Register for this exciting event: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gPCviYwn Explore national events through the U.S. Department of Labor’s website: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eQevQSF #WRTPBIGSTEP #Milwaukee #Madison #Racine #Wisconsin #Trade #Construction #Manufacturing #Work #Workforce #Career #Community #Union #Apprentice #NationalApprenticeshipWeek #NAW

Five state governments- Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, and Louisiana- are joining forces to make skills-first talent practices a reality with the launch of "Transformers in the Public Sector" – a first-of-its-kind cohort led by our STARs Public Sector Hub! Learn more in our press release: https://lnkd.in/eCVKHBWs #HireSTARs #Career #Government #PublicSector

💰 Did you know you can blend additional workforce resources to support broadband training? Florida has a plan to braid funds from the #BEADprogram and #WIOA - https://lnkd.in/ekJ_Mhi6 FloridaCommerce

Many thanks to our Student Advisors Jane Kunze, Alisha Small, and Rachel Wilkerson, who spoke alongside NSC’s Director of Worker and Student Voices, Michael Richardson, at two events earlier this month! They shared their experiences with NSC's Student Advisory Council, insights from their engagement in developing an upcoming policy brief, and what they hope to see from policymakers because of their advocacy. 💡 More on the Skills Blog: https://lnkd.in/eHm7vcET

Our Board of Directors is growing! View our newest members: https://lnkd.in/e3XF87pM

Zima Creason & Jaclyn Moreno joined leaders from across the U.S. at the #SkillSPAN Convening in Denver to discuss and collaborate on workforce development initiatives. SkillSPAN is the state action arm of the National Skills Coalition , working to build a stronger workforce nationwide! #WorkforceDevelopment #SkillsCoalition

Earlier this year, National Skills Coalition launched the Student Advisory Council under the Making College Work campaign. Leveraging our advisors' expertise, we've been able to intentionally put students at the center of policy research and advocacy. Kate Michaels shares more on what we've learned: https://lnkd.in/eHm7vcET