The State of American Jobs

How the shifting economic landscape is reshaping work and society and affecting the way people think about the skills and training they need to get ahead

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 6, 2016) – A changing economic landscape is driving significant shifts in the American workplace. Employment opportunities increasingly lie in jobs requiring higher-
level social or analytical skills, while physical or manual skills are fading in importance, according to a new Pew Research Center survey conducted in association with the Markle Foundation.

Not coincidentally, an analysis of government jobs data finds that employment is rising faster in jobs calling for greater preparation. The number of workers in occupations requiring average to above-average education, training and experience increased 68% from 1980 to 2015. This was more than double the 31% increase in employment in jobs requiring below-average education, training and experience.

For their part, the vast majority of U.S. workers say that new skills and training may hold the key to their future job success. New survey data find that 54% of adults in the labor force say it will be essential for them to get training and develop new skills throughout their work life in order to keep up with changes in the workplace, and another 33% say it will be important to do so. Workers are acting on this belief, with 45% saying they’ve taken a class or received training in the past year to learn, maintain or improve their work skills.

Americans believe the responsibility for preparing and succeeding in today’s workforce starts with individuals themselves. Roughly seven-in-ten (72%) say that individuals have “a lot” of responsibility to make sure workers have the right skills and education to be successful, while
60% believe public K-12 schools should bear a lot of responsibility for this. Smaller shares say colleges and universities (52%), employers (49%), state governments (40%) and the federal government (35%) should have a lot of responsibility.

A majority of Americans (65%) say that good jobs are difficult to find where they live, but views of the situation have improved since the height of the Great Recession. However, on the whole, American workers are generally satisfied with their own jobs: 49% of American workers say they are very satisfied with their current job, while three-in-ten are somewhat satisfied. And most Americans overall feel their own jobs are secure; 60% of employed Americans say it is not at all likely that they will lose their job or be laid off in the next 12 months.

The earnings of workers overall have stagnated since 1980, lagging behind gains in labor productivity. Moreover, smaller shares of workers received health or retirement benefits from their employers in 2015 than did in 1980. More recently, alternative employment arrangements, such as contract work, on-call work and temporary help agencies, appear to be on the rise.
As they look at the future, large numbers of Americans believe the demands on workers will intensify and job security will diminish in the coming 20 to 30 years. Roughly seven-in-ten Americans (71%) say that workers will have to improve their skills more often in the future in order to keep up with job-related developments. About half (51%) think there will be less job security in 20 to 30 years, and a plurality (44%) believes employee benefits will not be as good in the future. When it comes to worker loyalty, 43% say employees will show less loyalty to their employers in the future, while an identical share believe the current levels of loyalty will prevail.

The new report, based on an analysis of Department of Labor and Current Population Survey data and a national survey conducted May 25-June 29, 2016, among 5,006 adults (including
3,096 employed adults), examines trends in the labor market and how they are playing out in the lives of American workers.

Among the findings:

  • Americans see outsourcing jobs and imports of foreign goods as the greatest harms to U.S. workers, but they believe exporting more U.S. products abroad helps U.S. workers. As they assess the factors that may be hurting U.S. workers, 80% say outsourcing hurts American workers, and 77% say the same about more foreign-made products being sold in the U.S. Many also cite the increased use of contract and temporary workers (57%) and the decline of union membership (49%) as harmful factors. The impact of immigrants and automation draw more evenly divided verdicts. On the other end of the spectrum, majorities think exports of U.S.-made products (68%) and work-enhancing technology such as the internet and email (70%) help U.S. workers.
  • Americans are less worried about immigrants’ impact on jobs than they were a decade ago. Today, 45% of adults say that the growing number of immigrants working in the U.S. hurts workers, and 42% say having more immigrants helps workers. This is a noteworthy change from 2006, when there was a nearly two-to-one view that the growing number of immigrants hurts U.S. workers (55% vs. 28% who said immigrants help workers). Democrats, blacks and those with less than a high school diploma are all notably more likely now than in 2006 to think the growing number of immigrants helps workers.
  • The shifting demand for skills in the modern workplace may be working to the benefit of women. Women, who represent 47% of the overall workforce, make up the majority of workers in jobs where social or analytical skills are relatively more important. Wages are rising much faster in those jobs, which has likely contributed to the shrinking of the gender pay gap from 1980 to 2015.
  • People have been staying at their jobs longer in recent years. In 2014, about half of workers (51%) had worked for their current employer five years or more, compared with 46% of workers in 1996.
  • Educational attainment is a clear and consistent marker when it comes to feelings about job security and future prospects. While 39% of those without a high school education say it is very or fairly likely they may be laid off in the next 12 months, only 7% of those with a bachelor’s degree or more say the same. Those with lower levels of education also are more likely to feel their current skills are insufficient for career advancement and to think there are not good jobs locally.
  • Americans have somewhat mixed attitudes about the effectiveness of traditional higher education institutions. While many college graduates describe their own experience as having a positive impact on their personal and professional development, just 16% of all Americans think that a four-year degree prepares students “very well” for a well-paying job in today’s economy. An additional 51% say this type of degree prepares students “somewhat well” for the workplace.

You can read the report online at https://www.markle.org/stateofamericanjobs or http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2016/10/06/the-state-of-american-jobs.

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Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does not take policy positions. The Center is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, its primary funder. Subscribe to the Center’s daily and weekly email newsletters or follow its Fact Tank blog.

The Markle Foundation works to realize the potential of information technology as a breakthrough tool for some of the nation’s most challenging problems. It leads a broad collaboration to Rework America to create good jobs and prepare people for today’s rapidly changing digital economy. Markle's Skillful initiative is returning economic opportunities to Americans without a college diploma. For more information, visit markle.org, skillful.com and follow @MarkleFdn on Twitter.

Media Contacts:
Pew Research Center: Molly Rohal, 202-419-4372, [email protected]
Markle Foundation: Lisa MacSpadden, 212-713-7686, [email protected]

Colorado Governor Signs Career and Technical Training Bill

(TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) –- Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed on May 27, 2016 HB 1289 into law establishing incentives for high schools to offer career and technical education opportunities to students in high-demand fields. Schools will be rewarded for each student who earns an industry-recognized credential. If funds allow, schools will also be rewarded if a student successfully completes an internship, residency, construction pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship program or earns a qualifying score on an Advanced Placement Computer Science exam. HB 1289 was sponsored by House Majority Leader Crisanta Duran, Representative Daneya Esgar, Senator Leroy Garcia and Senator Larry Crowder.
 
“Colorado has thousands of good, high-paying jobs that require applicants who are well educated and trained. By rewarding schools for students who earn an industry-recognized credential, and possibly for completing internships and apprenticeships as well, Colorado is creating opportunities for its students while laying the groundwork for a more competitive workforce in the future,” said Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd) CEO Patricia Levesque.

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Learn more about HB 1289:

  • The bill establishes a $1 million annual appropriation that begins in fiscal year 2017-2018.
  • The pilot will operate for 2 years and will be evaluated upon the conclusion for continuance.
  • The participating school district or charter school will receive $1,000 per student in the program.
  • Funding provided to schools is tiered and tied to performance. The first funding tier will be students who earn industry certifications in high-demand fields. The second funding tier, if there is remaining funding, will be for students who complete a qualified internship, residency, or construction pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship program tied to high-demand fields. The third and final tier, if there is funding remaining, will be for students who earn a qualifying score on AP computer science.
  • The Department of Education will be required to submit an annual report on program participation and performance.
  • The Workforce Development Council, in collaboration with education and workforce agencies, will determine qualifying industry certifications, internships, residency programs, and construction apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs based on job market demand.

The Foundation for Excellence in Education is transforming education for the 21st century economy by working with lawmakers, policymakers, educators and parents to advance education reform across America. Learn more at ExcelinEd.org.

 

Latino Leadership Institute Announces 2016 Fellows

It is an honor and privilege to announce the 20 extraordinary leaders who have been selected for the Latino Leadership Institute Fellowship. The Summer 2016 Cohort, who average 14 years of professional experience, represents an accomplished group of professionals across the private, public, non-profit, and education sectors in Colorado.

LLI FELLOW & ALUMNI PROFILE

 

 

Jeb Bush to Serve as Chairman of the Foundation for Excellence in Education

(TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) -- The Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd) announced on May 24, 2016 the election of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush as Chairman and President of its Board of Directors. Governor Bush replaces Dr. Condoleezza Rice, who has served as Chair since January 2015 and remains a member of the Board of Directors. 

“One of the greatest challenges and opportunities we have in America today is to create a 21st century education system that ensures all students have the skills, teachers and educational options they need to succeed in life,” said Governor Bush. “Too many children right now are failed by a deeply flawed bureaucratic system, but I’m optimistic about the future because I’ve seen the great results produced by states across the country. It is an honor to rejoin ExcelinEd as we continue to support states in bringing choice, innovation and accountability to the classroom. I am thankful to Dr. Rice and this exceptional board for their leadership over the past year.” 

Since 2008, ExcelinEd has worked in 48 states across the country to champion state-driven, proven transformational education reform policies that lead to rising student achievement. Because of these reforms and hard work by state leaders and educators, students have achieved remarkable academic success. Last year, as a result of active engagement by ExcelinEd and ExcelinEd in Action, 43 education laws were adopted in 15 states to improve or enact new reform policies.  

Governor Bush also has been elected to the Board of Directors of Excellence in Educationin Action (ExcelinEd in Action). The sister 501(c)(4) organization to the Foundation for Excellence in Education, ExcelinEd in Action helps advance legislation at the state level to improve the quality of education for every child. Governor Bush launched ExcelinEd in Action in 2014 and will serve as the organization’s Chairman and President.

For more on the ExcelinEd Board of Directors, visit www.ExcelinEd.org/board-corner/board-of-directors/. For more on ExcelinEd in Action, visit www.ExcelinEdInAction.org.

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BIOGRAPHY: Governor Jeb Bush

Jeb Bush was elected the 43rd governor of the state of Florida on November 3, 1998, and was re-elected by a wide margin in 2002. His second term as governor ended in January 2007.

Jeb earned a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and moved to Florida in 1981. With partner Armando Codina, he started a small real estate development company, which grew to become the largest, full-service commercial real estate company in South Florida.

Jeb served as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce under Bob Martinez, Florida’s 40th governor. As Secretary of Commerce, he promoted Florida's business climate worldwide. Following an unsuccessful bid for governor in 1994, Jeb founded the nonprofit Foundation for Florida’s Future, which joined forces with the Urban League of Greater Miami to establish one of the state’s first charter schools. He also co-authored Profiles in Character, a book profiling 14 of Florida’s civic heroes–people making a difference without claiming a single news headline.

After his election in 1998, Governor Bush focused on reforming education. Florida students have made the greatest gains in achievement, and Florida is one of a handful of states that have narrowed the achievement gap. In addition, he cut taxes every year during his tenure as governor, and Florida led the nation in job growth seven out of eight years. Governor Bush put Florida on the forefront of consumer healthcare advances by signing Medicaid reform legislation “Empowered Care” in June 2006.

Before launching a run for the Republican presidential nomination in June of 2015, Governor Bush led his own successful consulting business, Jeb Bush and Associates, whose clients ranged from small technology start-ups to well-known Fortune 500 companies. He also served as the chairman of the Foundation for Excellence in Education; co-chairman of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy; and chair of the National Constitution Center. 

He is the co-author of Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution (2013) and author of Reply All (2015).

Governor Bush is the son of former President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush. He lives in Miami with his wife, Columba. They have three children and four grandchildren.
 

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The Foundation for Excellence in Education is transforming education for the 21st century economy by working with lawmakers, policymakers, educators and parents to advance education reform across America. Learn more at ExcelinEd.org.

Posner Center Announces Second Annual International Collaboration Fund Winners

Contact:
Doug Vilsack, Executive Director
Posner Center for International Development
719-647-7365
posnercenter.org

February 24, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Posner Center Announces Second Annual International Collaboration Fund Winners

The Posner Center for International Development's International Collaboration Fund supports innovative projects designed to foster partnerships between Colorado-based international development organizations working to combat global poverty. Projects selected for funding from the Posner Center's network of 57 Tenants and 100+ Members demonstrate creative approaches, risk-taking, and the opportunity for increased impact.

The Posner Center is pleased to announce the awardees of the second annual International Collaboration Fund. These grants are generously supported by CoBank, Harvey Family Foundation, Joanne Posner-Mayer, the Shuyler Family, and Western Union. For information on how to support the International Collaboration Fund, including targeted funding for projects in agriculture, water, energy, infrastructure, health, education, children, and many more areas, contact: Doug Vilsack, Executive Director at 719-647-7365.

The 2016 Collaboration Fund winners and projects:

Children’s Future International, Sustainable Schools International, Empowering Youth in Cambodia, Trailblazer Foundation, and Asian Foundation - $3,450
Colorado is home to a strong community of organizations working in Cambodia. The ICF-funded Colorado-Cambodia Consortium will foster collaboration between these organizations by promoting sharing of resources and best practices, reducing duplication of effort, and identifying future avenues for partnership.

Children’s Future International and Write Our World - $5,250
Children’s Future International (CF) and Write Our World (WOW) will collaborate to implement WOW’s ebook authoring project at CF’s Learning Center in Battambang, Cambodia during the 2016 summer session. WOW is working alongside the CF teachers to lead the initial ebook creation project and is also training them to implement future ebook projects independently. The students at the Learning Center will generate creative bilingual materials that will be shared in the WOW ebook library and will be made available to individuals worldwide.

Denver Urban Gardens, Friends of ENCA Farm, and Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance - $10,000
Denver Urban Gardens (DUG), Friends of ENCA Farm (FoE) and the Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance (RMSA) will conduct seed-saving educational, training, and capacity-building programs in the Philippines and Denver throughout 2016. This partnership will support the creation of appropriate seed-saving curricula, a one-day seed school in Denver serving
Burmese farmers and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) participants, a farmer-to-farmer exchange between Denver and the Philippines, and a seed school in the Philippines.

Edge of Seven, AfricAid and eight additional Posner Center Tenants - $8,500
Led by Edge of Seven and AfricAid, this cohort of Posner Center Tenants will pilot a shared fundraising effort, dubbed the 'fundraising event support test,' or 'FEST.' This grant will fund dedicated support for soliciting in-kind donations, sponsorships, and event marketing on behalf of the group of 10 organizations. The aim is to develop processes that create efficiencies and therefore improved returns for the test group and help identify the utility of such a service.

iDE and Engineers Without Borders - $20,000
iDE and Engineers Without Borders (EWB) will accelerate the design, testing, and construction of a post-harvest cooling and storage system for use by smallholder farmers in Mozambique who have little or no access to grid power. In rural communities worldwide, there is often large post-harvest crop spoilage that results in income loss for farmers and reduced access to nutritional produce for families. The planned design addresses the three critical steps in the supply chain, thereby maintaining an unbroken cold chain: onsite field storage, crop transportation, and cooling at a large collection center.

Into Your Hands-Africa, AfricAid, Africa Development Promise, Edge of Seven, and Global Livingston Institute - $20,000
Building upon a 2015 ICF scoping grant, this group of five organizations will implement the Women's Entrepreneurial Training Program (WETP) and create additional tools as a resource for organizations delivering business trainings. They will use a human-centered design approach to revise and customize the existing curriculum for delivery in two locations
in Uganda. In addition, they will develop a replicable implementation framework which will serve as a tool to support organizations in successfully delivering business trainings across a variety of contexts and geographies.

Technology Partnership, Hope Online Learning Academy, and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance - $5,000
Technology Partnership is collaborating with two local organizations, Hope Online Learning Academy and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, to create a cross-cultural exchange between Denver and Meru, Kenya using dance and the arts as a catalyst. Utilizing the IEEE Global Classroom at the Posner Center, the group will conduct four dance exchanges, supplemented with facilitated pen-pal relationships. Through this project, participants from diverse communities locally and internationally will have the opportunity to change their views about technology and their own abilities, and begin to see broader opportunities for themselves in a global world.

World Child Cancer USA and Project C.U.R.E. - $5,000
World Child Cancer USA and Project C.U.R.E. are partnering to deliver a 53-foot shipping container of medical supplies and equipment to the Hospital de la Niñez Oaxqueña (HNO) in Oaxaca, Mexico. The goal of this project is to strengthen the medical infrastructure at HNO, to outfit the new pediatric oncology ward to care for more childhood cancer patients, and to improve outcomes for all children treated at the HNO. The partners will work directly with hospital staff to deliver capacity building training and implement effective systems for monitoring and evaluating long-term health outcomes.

Library Journal Names Arapahoe Libraries' Davies as 2016 Librarian of the Year

January 6, 2016

CONTACT: MICHELLE CINGRANI OR GINGER MATTSON
303-792-8944

 

LIBRARY JOURNAL NAMES NICOLLE INGUI DAVIES AS THE 2016 LIBRARIAN OF THE YEAR

Nicolle Ingui Davies, executive director of Arapahoe Libraries, has been named the 2016 Library Journal Librarian of the Year. This annual award recognizes one talented individual for transforming their library and community, and leading the profession toward innovation, and it is the first time that a librarian in Colorado has earned this honor. Davies is notable for building a committed and energized staff and implementing a forward-thinking strategic plan to move the library from “nice to essential” – while helping to reimagine how the library as a brand is considered in her community and beyond.

Soon after Davies became executive director in 2012, she worked with the board and her staff on developing a new strategic plan. Together, they established four pillars in the system’s rebranding strategy: deliver very important patron experiences, surprise and delight, make every experience matter and strive for simplicity. This patron-focused model creates a memorable experience when users come through the doors or interact with the Arapahoe Libraries out in the community. 

“I think all of us are aware of the kind of antiquated perception of libraries that we have to battle. Over the past five to seven years this has become ever more challenging. As e-content became so pervasive, we had to carve out our niche, our relevance,” Davies says in Library Journal’s January issue. “It was also about reworking the way that we tell our story to turn the perception of libraries people have on its head.”  

In her previous role as Arapahoe Libraries’ deputy director, Davies began the evolution of the libraries into community centers with a focus on easy access to resources and technology. Arapahoe Libraries is the local leader in providing access to cutting-edge technology, featuring products in their early development. Arapahoe Libraries takes on the costs and risks of early adoption, providing such new technologies as 3-D printers, Go Pro cameras, Oculus Rift Virtual Reality headsets, and many more. 

Arapahoe Libraries takes on an educator role with its Tech Road Shows, taking these technologies throughout the Denver area to local businesses, professional and social associations, museums, and business groups. 

“Nicolle brings both a strength of leadership and a refreshing spirit that is exciting for libraries and transformative for her community,” said Rebecca T. Miller, editorial director of Library Journal. “She represents the kind of library leader our communities need and deserve, and we couldn’t be more pleased to name her the 2016 Librarian of the Year.” 

The award is celebrated in a cover story in the January issue of the magazine and at a special reception during ALA Midwinter in Boston, MA. Read the full story at http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2016/01/awards/nicolle-ingui-davies-ljs-2016-librarian-of-the-year/

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About Library Journal

Founded in 1876, Library Journal is one of the oldest and most respected publications covering the library field. Over 75,000 library directors, administrators, and staff in public, academic, and special libraries read LJ. Library Journal reviews over 8000 books, audiobooks, videos, databases, and web sites annually, and provides coverage of technology, management, policy, and other professional concerns. For more information, visit www.libraryjournal.com. Library Journal is a publication of Media Source Inc., which also owns School Library Journal, The Horn Book publications, and Junior Library Guild.

About Arapahoe Libraries

Arapahoe Libraries serve 250,000 patrons and include eight community libraries, a jail library and a Library on Wheels in Arapahoe County, Colorado. For more information, visit arapahoelibraries.org.

Erik Mitisek Appointed Co-Chair of Quarterly Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Quarterly Forum
Ryan Heckman, 303.330.6929, [email protected]
Kelly Brown, 303.204.1542, [email protected]

Erik Mitisek Appointed Co-Chair of Quarterly Forum

DENVER — Feb. 12, 2016 — Local business leader Erik Mitisek has been appointed co-chairman of Quarterly Forum, a nonprofit organization that works to connect, educate and inspire leaders in Colorado. Effective March 1, Mitisek will share oversight of the leadership organization with fellow co-chairman Ryan Heckman. 

In his co-chairman role, Mitisek will provide strategic direction and work with the Quarterly Forum board of directors, partners and members to continue building the organization into an impactful leadership organization for the state of Colorado – developing the next generation of state leaders across the business, nonprofit and government sectors. This new partnership between Heckman and Mitisek comes at a momentous era for Quarterly Forum with increasing membership, new leadership and civic engagement programs tailored to the development of the state’s best emerging leaders. 

“Erik truly embodies the spirit of leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation that is propelling Colorado forward,” said Heckman. “He is a model of what Quarterly Forum is becoming... a civic platform to develop the next generation of Colorado leaders who will truly make a difference in our state together.” 

Mitisek is a long-time advocate for business and innovation in Colorado. He is the CEO of the Colorado Technology Association and helped lead the 2015 opening of the Commons on Champa, a collaborative effort between the Downtown Denver Partnership, Colorado Technology Association and the City and County of Denver. The Commons on Champa is a public campus for entrepreneurship and a gathering place for business builders and innovators. Heckman, in the name of Quarterly Forum, underwrote the creation of the “QF Innovation Lounge” at the Commons on Champa, and that gift connects Quarterly Forum members directly to the entrepreneurial community. 

Mitisek is also founder and co-chair of Denver Startup Week, co-chair of Startup Colorado, chairman of Built In Colorado, an alumnus of Leadership Denver, and a board member of the Governor of Colorado’s Colorado Innovation Network. In addition, Mitisek is an appointee to the Information Technology Economic Development Advisory Committee for Colorado.

Mitisek said, “The importance of giving back to the community has always been central to my beliefs. I am also deeply passionate about applying entrepreneurial principles to those efforts, which is what Quarterly Forum is largely about. When you can bring together the public, private and nonprofit sectors under an entrepreneurial umbrella, amazing change can happen.”

With a 17-year history of convening thought leaders and leadership development, Quarterly Forum recently expanded its mission to include The Leaders Initiative, which promotes and activates citizenship and service to the state of Colorado through a fellowship program, and the Colorado Governors Citizenship Award, which under Executive Order by Governor Hickenlooper debuted in December 2015 and recognizes Colorado residents and organizations from diverse sectors that have worked to strengthen Colorado communities and develop new opportunities for Coloradans throughout the state. 

The QF Innovation Lounge at the Commons on Champa will host the Governors Fellowship Program beginning in mid-2016. Meegan Moszynski, who previously served as the ideas director of the Biennial of the Americas, was recently named executive director of The Leaders Initiative and will oversee its various programs. The Leaders Initiative is sponsored by the Colorado Business Roundtable and is supported by Governors Hickenlooper, Owens and Ritter who are inspired to increase engagement between business leaders and public service.

In addition to fostering leadership among the public, private and nonprofit sectors, Quarterly Forum also supports our state’s future leaders through scholarship programs including a program with the state that sends 30-plus first generation college students to college tuition-free each year, the Mike Fries Emerging Artist Scholarship and the Scott Reiman Emerging Leader Scholarship. The Quarterly Forum scholarship program gifted approximately $200,000 in 2015 and complements the organization’s mission of seeding future leadership in the state of Colorado.

About Quarterly Forum

Quarterly Forum is a Colorado-based leadership organization that connects, educates and inspires the state’s emerging leaders. The organization has a 17-year history of providing a place for developing executives to dream more, learn more, do more and become more by fostering strong ties among the business, government and nonprofit sectors in Colorado. Quarterly Forum is a non-partisan and by-invitation membership-based community that represents diverse industries including health care, energy, agriculture, private equity, nonprofit, professional service providers, restaurants, consumer products and services, hospitality, real estate, building products, media, technology and telecom.

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Leeds School of Business Takes Leadership Role in UN Education Initiative

Contact:
Dr. Mark Meaney, Executive Director for the Center for Education on Social Responsibility, 303.492.3937
[email protected]
Ms. Zeel Patel, Director of Marketing & Communications, 303.492.6397
[email protected]

The Leeds School of Business takes leadership role in the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education Initiative.

Dr. Mark Meaney accepts leadership position with newly formed North American chapter involving over 150 business schools.

BOULDER, Colorado – Feb 3, 2016 – The Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado, Boulder, announced that Dr. Mark Meaney, Executive Director of the Center for Education on Social Responsibility (CESR), was elected as Chair of the newly established North America Chapter of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (UN PRME) initiative. Dr. Meaney was also appointed to the UN PRME International Advisory Board.

Launched at the 2007 United Nations Global Compact Leader’s Summit in Geneva, the UN PRME initiative focuses on inspiring and championing responsible business management education, research and thought leadership globally. UN PRME Chapter North America is comprised of 18 Canadian and 138 US business school signatories, and is part of a collective of over 600 business schools world-wide.

Key areas the North America Chapter will focus on include developing resources to foster student experiential learning in business ethics, and establishing and sharing best practices to align with UN sustainable development goals. Dr. Meaney remarked, “This is a significant opportunity for a vast network of educational leaders to collaborate and make a difference in critical areas of student learning such as business ethics, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability. We have an opportunity to develop widely accepted best practices and contribute on a global scale.” Dr. Meaney will be presenting at UN PRME’s 2nd North American meeting hosted in Atlanta, GA, February 4 to 6 to further establish the Chapter’s focus and engagement across participating schools.

Dr. Meaney has over 20 years of experience and an international reputation in business ethics. He is currently the Executive Director at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business, Center for Education on Social Responsibility, which was founded through the support of the Leeds family. Under Dr. Meaney’s leadership, the Center focuses on developing socially conscious, values-driven business leaders to manage the ethical challenges of a global economy. Learn more at http://www.colorado.edu/business/CESR

Major Businesses Offer Employees Free Program to Earn GED Credential

Contact: CT Turner | Public Affairs
[email protected] | 202/471.2228
October 29, 2015

WASHINGTON, DC— GED Testing Service has partnered with some of the nation’s largest employers and most recognizable brands— including Walmart, KFC, Taco Bell and Southeastern Grocers— to create GEDWorksTM, a comprehensive program free for employees who want to earn their GED credential.

The GEDWorks program includes everything an employee needs to successfully prepare for and pass the GED test. Students are provided access to a GED advisor, online GED study material, connections to local adult education programs, practice tests, and more. GED advisors are a key element of GEDWorks and help guide, engage, and motivate students. GEDWorks also helps keep graduates moving forward after completing the tests by connecting them with college and career pathways tools on GED.com. 

GEDWorks is one indicator that national employers understand the value of the new GED program, which is focused on better preparing learners to compete in today’s job market and to successfully enter post-secondary education programs essential to most 21st century jobs. This effort also marks the first time national employers have banded together to support a program aimed solely at decreasing the number of adults without a high school diploma, an important step in improving the country’s economic competitiveness.

“Employers have invested in this national program with GED Testing Service to boost the education levels of their employees because they recognize the benefits of the enhanced GED program and the importance of education in the lives of their employees. The program offers a cost-effective way for employers to help adult learners achieve their goals and invest in their futures. Students earning a GED credential enhance their career prospects and earning potential,” said Randy Trask, President of GED Testing Service. 

The support that employers show their participating employees is another key element of the GEDWorks program. “Taco Bell believes in helping our Team Members get more out of life— starting with an education,” said Frank Tucker, Global Chief People Officer at Taco Bell. “GEDWorks is great because it gives our employees everything they need to prepare for and pass the GED test on their own flexible terms. Not only are we developing our Team Members and creating an engaged workforce, but we’re also inspiring these valued Team Members to champion their potential, education and future.”

“Walmart believes that education is key to an associate's personal and professional
development,” said Michelle Knight, Vice President of Talent Development for Walmart U.S. “The opportunity to earn a market-valued credential helps our people gain skills to advance their career. Achieving success with the GEDWorks program is a gateway to opportunity.”

The program is completely free for learners. It is fully funded by employers or, in the case of KFC, by the associated charity, Kentucky Fried Chicken Foundation. The only investment needed by students is time and energy to prepare for the test. “Restaurant operators love that the GEDWorks and other Foundation programs help them recruit and retain high quality employees who are interested in working hard to improve themselves. The KFC Foundation is proud to be able to support them, and continue Colonel Sanders’ legacy of helping people be their best selves through education,” said Krista Snider, Managing Director of the KFC Foundation.

"Now that I have my GED, it takes away that little bit of shame and embarrassment [of not having graduated from high school],” said Courtney, an employee of Winn-Dixie/Southeastern Grocers in Alabama and one of the first graduates of the GEDWorks program. “My GED advisor was very encouraging and friendly throughout the process— she addressed all of the concerns I had along the way. I think others should go for it as well!”

For more information visit the GEDWorks Media Kit web page, which includes: GEDWorks Press Release in English and Spanish, GEDWorks Infographic, Soundcloud Audio Clip, First GEDWorks Graduate Video, GEDWorks Student Profiles/Stories, Link to the GEDWorks Website.

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About GED Testing Service
The GED test has opened doors to better jobs and college programs for more than 20 million graduates since 1942. The GED test is accepted by virtually all of U.S. colleges and employers. As the creator of the one official GED test, GED Testing Service has a responsibility to ensure that the program continues to be a reliable and valuable pathway to a better life for the millions of adults without a high school diploma. GED Testing Service is a joint venture between the American Council on Education and Pearson.

About the GED Program
The goal of the GED program that launched in January, 2014 is to better prepare adult learners for today’s jobs and for entry into career and college training programs. The new GED test has two performance levels – one that is used to certify high school equivalency, and another optional level that indicates readiness for college-level coursework.

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