Dr. Pam Howze on Workforce Development

Today's blog post is submitted by Joyce Maroney, Executive Director of the Workforce Institute at Kronos. Joyce interviews Dr. Pam Howze of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions.

I recently interviewed Pam Howze, program director for work-based learning for the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, to talk about their programs for workforce development.  Her organization works with leaders in business, education, philanthropy, and workforce development nationally and in their more than 30 partner communities to invest in and scale innovative models that connect individuals to in-demand skills, generate good jobs, and help American business find and develop the talent critical for their success.

Although our economy is booming and unemployment is at record lows, there are still lots of people in the US who are unemployed or underemployed.  During our conversation, we talked about how her organization helps to connect them to good jobs. I asked Pam the following questions. You can hear her answers by pressing the play button at the bottom of this post.

QUESTIONS:

1. Pam, can you please explain what the National Fund for Workforce Solutions does – and what is your role within the organization?
2. Can you please explain the various pathways through which the NFWS assists jobseekers, employers and communities?
3. Can you share some of your success stories?
4. There are a lot of government, local social service, and educational programs scattered across the landscape of workforce development.  What does NFWS do differently or better?  What does it take to scale these types of efforts?
5. How can jobseekers or employers connect with NFWS?