Launch of Skills for Rhode Island’s Future marks the first replication of demand-driven workforce model developed in Chicago
CHICAGO—October 19, 2016—Skills for Chicagoland’s Future (SCF), in partnership with the State of Rhode Island, today officially launched the first replication of its regional model for returning unemployed and underemployed job seekers to work. Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo joined Congressman David Cicilline, Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, state workforce development officials, and business leaders today in Providence to celebrate the launch of Skills for Rhode Island’s Future (SRIF).
“I am thrilled to see the official launch of Skills for Rhode Island’s Future,” said Marie Trzupek Lynch, founding president and CEO of Skills for Chicagoland’s Future. “National expansion of the Skills model has been a key goal since our launch, and Rhode Island is perfectly positioned to replicate the impact we’ve seen in Chicago. As a public-private partnership, our model depends on strong buy-in from local governments and the business community.”
Rhode Island employers have already committed to hire job seekers through SRIF, several of whom have successfully partnered with SCF to source qualified unemployed and underemployed talent for their Chicagoland operations, including Bank of America, Gap, HMS Host, and Ulta Beauty. Other major SRIF employer partners include General Dynamics Electric Boat and CVS Health. SRIF aims to place 250 unemployed or underemployed job seekers into jobs by June 2017, and has already secured 150 hiring commitments.
“We are proud to put Rhode Island at the forefront of innovating new solutions that return the unemployed and underemployed to work, and ensure that businesses have access to the talent they need to thrive,” said Gina M. Raimondo, Governor of Rhode Island. I commend our partners at Skills for Chicagoland’s Future and our local business community for the role they played in getting us to today’s launch.”
Skills for Chicagoland’s Future’s National Expansion Consulting Division provided support over the past year to develop the new organization, working in collaboration with the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.
The Rhode Island Congressional Delegation helped obtain a $5.25-million Sector Partnership-National Emergency Grant — of which $1.25 million is funding Skills for RI’s Future. The U.S. Department of Labor announced this award in June 2015.
“It is important that Rhode Island businesses play a role in energizing our state’s economy and investing in local talent,” said William F. Hatfield, Rhode Island President of Bank of America and SRIF’s Chairman of the Board. “Skills for Rhode Island’s Future is the perfect workforce intermediary to help Rhode Island employers achieve these goals.”
“I am truly honored and excited to lead Skills for Rhode Island’s Future,” said SRIF Executive Director Nina Pande. “Throughout my career, I have worked with many hardworking families that have struggled to find work, or work two or three low-wage jobs just to make ends meet. Witnessing these struggles inspired me to take this position, where I can connect employers with hardworking, motivated, and qualified unemployed and underemployed Rhode Islanders.”
Skills for Chicagoland’s Future is a nonprofit, public-private partnership that meets the hiring needs of employers by connecting them with qualified, unemployed and underemployed job seekers Since its launch in 2012, Skills for Chicagoland’s Future has placed more than 3,100 unemployed or underemployed job seekers into positions with more than 50 employers. As a result of SCF’s success in returning the unemployed an underemployed to work in Chicagoland, the organization has received interest from other metropolitan regions across the country in adopting the Skills model. Fundraising is currently underway to launch a national organization, Skills for America’s Future, headquartered in Chicago, to facilitate further national expansion.
About Skills for Chicagoland’s Future
Skills for Chicagoland’s Future (Skills) is a nonprofit, public-private partnership committed to returning unemployed and underemployed job seekers to work by creating demand-driven solutions for employers committed to hiring this population. Skills meets the hiring needs of employers by connecting them with qualified job seekers and providing innovative, customized hiring solutions. Skills is governed by a board of directors comprised of 23 chief executive, finance and human resources officers from the Chicago area. The organization is funded by the City of Chicago and The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, as well as a wide range of foundations and corporations. For more information, visit http://www.skillsforchicagolandsfuture.com.
