General Workforce Readiness

Jobs For The Future believes that all young people should have a quality high school and postsecondary education, and that all adults should have the skills needed to hold jobs that pay enough to support a family. As a non-profit research, consulting, and advocacy organization, they work to strengthen our society by creating educational and economic opportunity for those who need it most.

The National Association Of Workforce Boards represents business-led workforce boards that plan and oversee state and local workforce development and job training programs. Our members are volunteers working in their communities to create a more highly skilled workforce. Workforce boards consist of public and private sector members who are leading the way in workforce development so that America can remain competitive in the global marketplace.

The Workforce Development Program provides strategic assistance to local communities, states, and federal policymakers interested in building effective workforce and youth development systems. They assess and interpret workforce trends, develop and analyze workforce training policies, provide technical assistance to governments implementing workforce development policies and programs, and evaluate promising training practices. The Program works with a wide range of state and local government agencies that have workforce and economic development responsibilities. They also work with Workforce Investment Boards, industry associations, employers, educators, labor organizations, and community-based organizations. At the federal level, they advise officials in both the legislative and executive branches of government.

National Leadership Institute For Workforce Excellence - www.workforce-excellence.net/nli2/index.cfm

The National Leadership Institute For Workforce Development is dedicated to building the leadership capacity of its key customers – state and local Workforce Investment Boards and their executive staff. Its purpose and approach was derived from these customers through the extensive use of focus groups. The Institute will promote and provide access to the widest possible array of practical leadership tools, resources and best practices. It will employ an interactive and collaborative communications strategy using web-based technology to efficiently engage its customer, deploy its vision and continuously improve its products and services.

New York State Job Service Employer Committee (JSEC) - www.nyjsec.org/main.cfm

The purpose of a JSEC is to open lines of communication between the Labor Department and the employer community, provide a vehicle to inform employers of the services and programs of the Labor Department and let employers know how they benefit from them, suggest methods to improve Labor Department services and performance, provide expert information to employers on issues that affect the business community, engage in public/private ventures that will be of benefit to both employers and the labor force, and effect beneficial legislative changes at state and federal levels. Search for the JSEC nearest you.

SkillWorks, formerly the Boston Workforce Development Initiative, is an ambitious effort on the part of philanthropy, government, community organizations, unions, and employers to create a workforce development system that helps low-skill, low-income residents move to family-sustaining jobs, and helps employers find and retain skilled employees.

Scroll down to the “Workforce Readiness” links for a long list of resources on workforce readiness, and Workforce readiness initiatives.

United States Chamber Of Commerce – Center For Workforce Preparation - www.uschamber.com/cwp/default

The Center For Workforce Preparation is a non-profit affiliate of the United States Chamber of Commerce focused on workforce development and quality education issues. Its mission is to develop workforce strategies for businesses, chambers of commerce, and communities to hire, train, retain and advance skilled workers in the 21st century.

The Workforce Alliance is a national coalition of local leaders advocating for federal policies that invest in the skills of America’s workers – including those who are low-income, unemployed, or seeking advancement – so they can better support their families and help American businesses better compete within today’s economy.

The New York State Department of Labor promotes job creation and economic growth by striving to create and maintain a world-class workforce system. We help people find jobs, and are committed to providing both employers and workers with tools for success by administering a variety of workforce development services.

This site offers a variety of information including a database of professional development resources, real life example products from the field, and nationwide web links.

WorkforceUSA.net is a collaboration among workforce development organizations and professionals. The site was initially developed in response to their collective frustration with trying to find useful tools and materials for a wide variety of workforce development projects. It is dedicated to helping policy-makers, and community, business and labor leaders develop, implement and evaluate workforce development strategies.