“Governors are terrific tradesman. We often see good ideas in one state and steal them for our own, only for those ideas to return to the originating state improved,” said Governor John Hickenlooper. “The Skillful State Playbook is just the tool states need to guide them in tapping the benefits of Skillful programs and partnerships.”

Representative Workplace Initiative: Colorado Invests in Coaches

The Governor’s Coaching Corps, a partnership of Skillful and the State of Colorado, is an intensive, 8-month program that recognizes the vital role career coaches play bridging the gap between jobseekers and employers, supporting economic growth across the state, and guiding professional advancement for thousands of Coloradans. The Coaching Corps gives coaches the tools and training they need to better serve jobseekers in our rapidly changing labor market and to invest in their own personal and professional development.

"From restructuring the way our state does economic development, to strengthening career pathways, to investing in an innovation economy, workforce development has been a top priority of my administration. We look forward to sharing best practices and learning from other states about how we can improve the way we link Delawareans to good paying jobs and sustainable, fulfilling careers," said Governor John Carney.

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Today, nearly 9,000 students are enrolled in our statewide Delaware Pathways initiative, which began in 2014 with just 27 students. Delaware understands the need to invest in the workforce of tomorrow, and the Pathways program is doing just that.

"As the State Workforce Innovation Board Co-Chair and business leader, I am excited that Governor Rauner has agreed to have Illinois be one of the founding states for the Skillful State Network. This opportunity will help Illinois learn and share best practice models with other states and be an incubator for new and innovative ideas to meet the needs of our workforce and employers in the future," says John Rico, Illinois Workforce Innovation Board Co-Chair.

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The Illinois Talent Pipeline Program funds employer-led workforce strategies to train workers who can contribute to companies' growth and success. Projects funded under this program are intended to develop sustainable work-based learning programs to help Illinois companies retain and train current and new workers. Grantees must address one or more of the following Illinois Talent Pipeline activities to be considered for funding:

• Projects that connect talent strategies with business needs
• Layoff aversion projects that support businesses and workers that are at risk of company closures or layoffs
• Projects that expand work-based learning opportunities including apprenticeships for targeted populations

"Our focus in Indiana is preparing our workforce for jobs available now and in the years to come," Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. "Sharing workforce practices among Skillful State Network members and encouraging multiple pathways to success in a changing economy will strengthen our talent pool, meet employer demand and put hardworking Hoosiers in high-need, high-wage careers of the future."

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Indiana Supports Training

Next Level Jobs is a key pillar of Governor Holcomb's Next Level Indiana agenda. Under his leadership with support from the General Assembly, Indiana is skilling up its workforce of today and tomorrow focusing on the high-wage, high-demand industries driving Indiana's 21st Century economy. The Next Level Jobs initiative brings employers, workforce, K-12 and higher education leaders, and Hoosiers together by offering two different training grants targeting high-demand industries including advanced manufacturing, agriculture, building and construction, health and life sciences, IT and business services, and transportation and logistics. Together, these programs provide more than $20 million over the next two years for Hoosiers and employers for training and certifications that help Indiana meet current workforce demand.

"Access to a talented and trained workforce is key for businesses in our state to thrive and right now we know that this is a challenge. I look forward to working with Skillful and the Network to share strategies and develop innovative pathways for workers to gain skills and ultimately connect employers with the workforce they need," said Governor Steve Bullock.

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Governor Bullock has prioritized expansion of registered apprenticeships to meet workforce demands in high-growth, high-wage occupations including health care, manufacturing, IT, financial services, and construction. Apprenticeships like the injection molding training program at West Paw Design in Bozeman, Montana's first apprenticeship in the manufacturing industry, are customized to the employer's needs and ensure that employees can skill-up quickly to meet the demands of a growing business. Since 2013, registered apprenticeships have increased by almost 30% with training programs available in over 70 occupations.

"A stronger and fairer state begins with an economy that works for everyone," Governor Murphy said. "Getting the economy right and creating jobs is a critical step toward securing a strong future for New Jersey. Our state is committed to providing all of our residents with the tools they need to get jobs, support their families, and reach their potential. We are excited to join with Skillful and bring valuable tools to job seekers in New Jersey."

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New Start Career Network

Governor Murphy is committed to tackling New Jersey's nation-leading long-term unemployment rate and connecting every state resident to meaningful work. The Governor and First Lady helped found the New Start Career Network at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, which since 2015 has leveraged career coaching provided by over 250 trained volunteers, robust technology tools, community partnerships, and employer engagement to assist its more than 3,300 long-term unemployed members. The Governor plans to extend this model statewide to strengthen New Jersey's workforce development system.

"I want North Carolinians to be better educated, healthier, and have more money in their pockets so that they can live more abundant, purposeful lives," said Governor Cooper. "The linchpin to achieving that goal is to help people get good-paying jobs to support themselves and their families. Every state is facing economic challenges and adapting their workforce systems to overcome those challenges. We are thrilled to join the Skillful Network to learn from other states innovating in workforce development and to share our challenges and successes with them as well."

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North Carolina is developing NCWorks Certified Career Pathways in every region of the state. With 27 so far and more in development, these employer-led pathways are a collaboration between the K-12 system, community colleges and local workforce teams to help North Carolinians get good-paying jobs in fields like healthcare, advanced manufacturing and IT.

"For North Dakota to reach its fullest potential, we need the skilled workforce to match a job market being disrupted by rapid technological change. Joining the Skillful State Network as a founding member presents an exciting opportunity to work with key stakeholders and learn best practices that will bolster our efforts to fill North Dakota's 13,000 job openings by harnessing the very technology transforming our economy," said Governor Doug Burgum

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Recognizing that work-based learning opportunities are instrumental to the development of 21st century workforce skills, Operation Intern is designed to expand the number of internship, work experience and apprenticeship positions with North Dakota employers in selected industries: energy, advanced manufacturing, value-added agriculture, tourism and technology-based businesses, with special emphasis on supporting start-ups in North Dakota. Employers are incented to create internship programs through matching funds.

"As the global economy transforms, so must our workforce. That requires leveraging all of our capabilities to better coordinate our industries and education as one. Over the past several years, Ohio has taken important steps to better prepare our workers, but there is still much work to be done. As a member of this network, it's my hope that member states can leverage each and every lesson learned to ensure our nation's workforce is prepared for the jobs of the future," said Governor John Kasich.

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Ohio Recognizes Job-Ready Students

Ohio high school students now can earn recognition by showing they are prepared for work. The OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal is a formal designation students can earn on their high school diplomas and transcripts indicating they have the personal strengths, strong work ethic and professional experience that businesses need. To earn the OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal, motivated high school students must demonstrate certain professional skills required for success in the workplace and work with at least three experienced and trusted mentors who validate the demonstration of these skills in school, work or the community. Students who earn the OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal are prepared to contribute value to the workplace and community.

"Internships and apprenticeships provide Oklahomans with a clear pathway to wealth-generating careers," said Governor Mary Fallin. "This goal is part of my Oklahoma Works initiative, which aligns education with the critical needs of the workforce. Work-based learning allows job seekers to gain training and on-the-job experience."

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Oklahoma Works

In November 2017, Governor Mary Fallin established a statewide work-based learning goal to increase quality internships and apprenticeships to 20,000 by 2020. As part of this work, the first youth apprenticeship in the state was established in partnership with Dell. The program allows high school seniors to work as help-desk technicians while finishing their high school careers at a local 2-year institution that provides the necessary relevant technical instruction. Oklahoma is also working to pass legislation in 2018 to establish the first registered internship program in the country.

"Rhode Island's workforce development strategy is showing clear signs of success, but there's more work to be done. We're excited to partner with Skillful to refine our understanding of what's working well here at home, and what's working well in other states," said Governor Gina Raimondo.

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Building a Pathway to Real Jobs in Rhode Island

Governor Raimondo's Real Jobs Rhode Island initiative aims to give Rhode Islanders the tools they need to succeed in the modern economy, while connecting employers in growing sectors of the state's economy to the newly-trained employees they need to expand and thrive. A significant departure from the "train and pray" paradigm of the past, Real Jobs RI has served more than 2,100 Rhode Island workers - either training and placing unemployed Rhode Islanders or upskilling incumbent workers to give them a shot at a better job. At the same time, more than 300 Rhode Island employers - from advanced manufacturing to commercial fishing to design - have participated in Real Jobs partnerships, allowing them to customize training curricula to the specific needs of their company or industry.

"Workforce development is not a new challenge for South Dakota, and it's an issue that every state faces. In recent years, we have been identifying the components of an effective workforce system and developing strategies to meet employer needs," said Governor Dennis Daugaard. "I'm excited about the opportunity to join the Skillful State Network so we can learn from each other and share ideas to promote effective strategies."

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Build Dakota Scholarship Program

In 2014, Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced a $50 million partnership with the state of South Dakota and South Dakota businessman and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford to establish the Build Dakota scholarship program, which offers full scholarships for students entering high-need workforce programs at in-state technical institutes. The scholarship program also provides an opportunity for communities, economic development organizations, businesses and individuals from across the state to come together to provide meaningful solutions.

The $50 million provides 300 full scholarships annually and is available to in-state and out-of-state students. Those who are awarded with the scholarship commit to stay in South Dakota to work in their field of study for three years. A board appointed by the Governor determines high-need workforce areas and administers the scholarship.

"In Tennessee, we believe the best workforce development plan is an education plan. We are investing in our workforce through initiatives like Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect, so all Tennesseans have the opportunity to attend college free of tuition or fees," Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said. "Through the Skillful State Network, we will share our successes and challenges with other states as we continue to increase the number of high-skilled Tennesseans and create a workforce prepared to meet the needs of current and future employers."

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Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam in 2013 launched the Drive to 55, a workforce development initiative to increase the number of Tennesseans with a postsecondary degree or certificate to 55 percent by 2025 - the year in which at least half the jobs in state will require a degree or certificate. To help meet that goal and create pathways to education, Haslam created Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect providing all Tennesseans access to community or technical college free of tuition and fees. Today, more Tennesseans are attending college than ever before, and if the state sustains its current momentum, it is on pace to meet the Drive to 55 goal two years early.

"Developing Utah's workforce is crucial to ensuring future success in our quickly growing state. Utah is committed to develop and enhance training programs to meet industry needs," said Gov. Gary R. Herbert. "The Skillful State Network aligns with existing state initiatives to ensure job seekers receive the skills they need to contribute to a healthy economy.

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Since taking office in 2009 Gov. Herbert has led the state of Utah to unprecedented economic success. Utah's economy is one of the strongest in the nation and Forbes magazine has named Utah the best state for business six out of the last seven years. Gov. Herbert's administration is proactive in its approach to creating jobs and strengthening the economy. In his 2017 State of the State address he announced Talent Ready Utah, an initiative designed to effectively align education with pressing workforce needs to create and fill 40,000 new high-skill, high-paying jobs in Utah by 2020.

Talent Ready Utah is a collaborative effort to improve both Utah's education system and workforce. By effectively increasing industry and education partnerships, Talent Ready Utah will fill critical workforce needs while ensuring the state's continued economic success for generations to come.

"We know that the public investments we value, and the very future of Vermont's economy, rely on growing our labor force and building a workforce with the skills and expertise for today's jobs. I'm happy to work with this bipartisan group of governors, committed to sharing ideas and working together towards solutions that help create opportunities for Vermonters and Vermont's businesses," said Governor Phil Scott.

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Vermont Builds Strategy to Strengthen Workforce

Governor Phil Scott appointed a Workforce Development Team, charged with creating an interagency workforce development plan to leverage the full assets of state government to build strategies for addressing Vermont's labor force crisis, and advancing workforce development initiatives. This plan is a cornerstone of Governor Scott's agenda.

"Virginia recognizes that our residents are the driving force behind our growing economy. With FastForward, a first-of-its-kind pay-for-performance training initiative, we are investing in our people, measuring outcomes, and rewarding programs that get results," said Virginia Governor Ralph Northam. "We look forward to sharing our experience with the Skillful State Network and learning what efforts have been successful in other states."

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FastForward is a short-term workforce credential program to train Virginians for top, in-demand jobs across the Commonwealth. Most programs take between six and 12 weeks and are built so students can get their education while they work. Participants who complete their studies and receive credentials are only responsible for a third of program costs.

"A four-year degree isn't the only path to a fulfilling career," Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said. "Business leaders have told us they are looking for talent in everything from information technology to health care. We must connect students to great employers and high-quality job training."

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Career Connect Washington - This new initiative will create career connections in Washington State through job shadowing, internships and apprenticeships for 29,000 students in 11 communities through $6.4 million in grant funding and innovative partnerships. These opportunities include STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning experiences, job shadows at local employers, career planning, and over 4,800 new internships, pre-apprenticeships, and registered apprenticeships.

"We need to provide Wisconsinites with the tools to succeed in both today's and tomorrow's economy which means developing a highly skilled workforce. Through the Skillful State Network we are joining with other Governors and other states who, like us, are thinking about our states' future in the global economy. Here in Wisconsin, we have created the Wisconsin Career Creator, a $20 million initiative aimed at improving educational and training opportunities, and we invested in Wisconsin Fast Forward, a grant program that is working to enhance the skills of thousands of Wisconsin workers to help hundreds of Wisconsin businesses. We're also investing in dual-enrollment, expanding youth apprenticeships, funding for high technology workshops called Fab labs, investing in scholarships for employees learning new skills and earning credentials, and job search and training resources," said Governor Scott Walker.

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Wisconsin Fast Forward: a grant program to cultivate private sector job creation by helping businesses train highly skilled workers to fill openings. As of July 2017, over $21 million from the grant program had been contracted out to help train up to 19,472 workers at hundreds of Wisconsin businesses.