Last week, the Walmart Foundation announced 10 Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) will receive over 3.5 million in funding from The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. The funding is part of a $10.9 million grant the Walmart Foundation made to The Partnership in March 2016, and is the largest investment of the Walmart Foundation’s Opportunity initiative. This initiative will increase the economic mobility of workers in the retail sector, working with nonprofits, educational institutions and government agencies to make it easier for frontline workers to move faster into middle skills roles. Check the list of WDBs below and see if you recognize one in your community.
|
Workforce Development Board |
Grant Amount |
Estimated Number of People Who Will Benefit |
|
Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation, Millersville, Md. |
$200,000 |
200 participants |
|
Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Inc., Monticello, Minn. |
$300,000 |
200 participants |
|
Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department, Los Angeles, Calif. |
$400,000 |
325 participants |
|
Denver Workforce Development Board, Denver, Colo. |
$422,652 |
325 participants |
|
Metro North Regional Employment Board, Cambridge, Mass. |
$400,000 |
200 participants |
|
Center of Workforce Innovations (Northwest Indiana Workforce Board), |
$387,421 |
200 participants |
|
Philadelphia Works, Philadelphia, Pa. |
$399,430 |
325 participants |
|
San Diego Workforce Partnership, San Diego, Calif. |
$400,000 |
325 participants |
|
The WorkPlace, Bridgeport, Conn. (Southwestern Connecticut Regional Workforce Development Board) |
$400,000 |
200 participants |
|
Workforce Snohomish, Everett, Wash. |
$314,180 |
200 participants |
If you see a local WDB on this list, I invite you to reach out to that WDB and start a conversation on how your agency may be able to help the board achieve its goals under this funding. The 10 WDBs receiving funding are now tasked with providing a variety of services to job seekers, including:
-
Job readiness training customized to the retail sector, including helping jobseekers acquire the "soft skills" that are critical for workplace success such as teamwork, leadership, communication and conflict resolution.
-
Job placement assistance, resume writing assistance and interviewing skills workshops.
-
Specialized skills training.
-
Post placement services to promote job retention.
Next, share your stories with us! Whether through this funding stream, or another, we want to hear how you're building partnerships with your local WDB, and other career pathways-aligned partners. Please take a few minutes and share your successes and lessons learned.
Best,
Mike Cruse
Career Pathways Moderator
michaelcruse74@gmail.com