Skills Agenda Table Update

Our Skills Agenda meetings have begun earnestly as we look forward to rounding out the year and the new legislative year’s priorities. We are engaging in conversations focused on broader workforce development priorities for the table.  

This fall, Skills Agenda discussions focused on the system-wide improvements and challenges, including upcoming funding cliffs, operational challenges, and strategies for continued investment. "Community-based organizations (CBOs) face a critical funding crisis. The impending 'ARPA funding cliff' – the expiration of federal relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act – threatens to drastically reduce their capacity to provide essential services. This comes as CBOs already struggle with the complexities of government funding. Ironically, initiatives designed to increase access for smaller CBOs often backfire due to complex administrative burdens and delays. These burdens divert resources from service delivery, hindering the organizations they intend to support.  Addressing the ARPA funding cliff and streamlining the funding and awarding process is crucial to ensuring the survival and effectiveness of CBOs of all sizes."

We will continue to lead the Skills Agenda Table, working on these challenges and refining our priorities as coalition members bring up new workforce issues. This includes tailoring the agenda to address racial and gender disparities, removing barriers to employment, and promoting economic security for all residents. If you are interested in being part of continued ecosystem conversations or would like to know more, please reach out to Annika Cole at annika@cjc.net.