EDC Convenes Leaders to Launch New Future-Ready Workforce Network
Early in April, EDC led a two-day event to launch our Powering Regional Education and Workforce Development for New Economies (Power Network) initiative supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Through the Power Network, EDC experts Andrés Henríquez, Jacqueline DeLisi, and Josephine Louie are connecting and supporting leaders from four regions as they carry out vital work to build strong innovation workforces.
All Power Network members presented their work, goals, and insights. The event also featured presentations by two national leaders in the field of career and technical education (CTE), Dan Hinderliter (Associate Director of State Policy, Advance CTE) and Rachel Rosen (Director of the Center for Effective Career and Technical Education, MDRC).
In working sessions, EDC workforce development/CTE expert Jessica Juliuson led the group in mapping out pressing challenges shared by all hubs as a first step to exploring solutions and, ultimately, disseminating best practices. Moving forward, EDC will convene the Power Network as a virtual community of practice to advance their work to strengthen K–16 education and job training to ensure future-ready workforces for their regions.
Network member Thomas Wilson said, “This convening laid an excellent foundation for our community of practice that moving forward will be identifying and pursuing collective action to strengthen workforce development at local, regional, and national scales. I’m looking forward to next steps!”
A quick look at each of the hubs and participating teams follows:
Mississippi Energy Resilience & Innovation Hub focuses on energy systems resilience, including power grid reliability, infrastructure resilience to extreme weather, and emerging energy workforce needs. Team: John Davis (Program Manager, Industrial Training and Assessment Center, Mississippi State University); Grace Lowe (Program Director, National Association of State Energy Officials); Narcisa Pricope (Professor and Associate Vice President for Research, Mississippi State University); Kari Thomas (Workforce Development Manager, AccelerateMS).
NSF Futures Engine in the Southwest is developing critical technologies, creating “innovation ecosystems” and supporting economic regional innovation in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. Team: Jeremy Babendure (Executive Director, SciTech Institute); Thomas Wilson (Workforce Development & Post-Secondary Education Coordinator, Sci-Tech Institute).
Montana Headwaters Tech Hub aims to help the state build smart photonics sensing technologies that matter for key sectors—including precision agriculture and energy infrastructure—spur entrepreneurship, and expand access to high-quality jobs statewide. Team: Antony Berthelote (Vice President of Enrollment Management & Student Affairs, Salish Kootenai College); Jenny Harms (Executive Director, Accelerate Montana); Caroline McLean (Program Manager, Headwaters Tech Hub); Tim VanReken (Executive Director, Headwaters Tech Hub)
Greater Boston Climate and Coastal Resilience Workforce Alliance is working to create a pipeline of highly skilled workers ready to fill good-paying jobs protecting communities from high tides and strong storms. Team: India Mackinson (Grants Manager, City of Boston); Lynn Sanders (Assistant Policy Director for Worker Empowerment, City of Boston); Jodi Sugerman-Brozan (Deputy Chief for Worker Empowerment, City of Boston).
We invite you to learn more about EDC’s STEM Education & Workforce Development and Resilient Futures work.
