Joint Center and National Skills Coalition Penned Op-ed in Washington Informer

Joint Center Senior Policy Analyst Justin Nalley and National Skills Coalition (NSC) Senior Fellow Nakeisha Ricks-Pettyjohn penned a joint op-ed titled, “How Industry Sector Partnerships Can Bridge the Racial Workforce Gap,” in the Washington Informer.

The op-ed advocates for Industry Sector Partnership Programs, a workforce development strategy that requires collaboration among employers, training providers, and workers, to be used as a vehicle to advance Black workers’ economic mobility and enhanced job quality.

From the piece: “It will take all of us to move equity-centered sector partnerships forward. Policymakers should be informed and educated to invest in high-quality programs through dedicated funding for ISPs, understand the need to enhance supportive services and employer benefits, and create explicit partnerships with Black-led and worker-led organizations. Business leaders should commit to recruiting, hiring, and retaining diverse talent and be committed partners through convening, designing, and implementing sector activities. Community advocates can elevate worker and student voices in the community and be partners in program design.”

Click here to read the full op-ed.