Workforce Benchmarking Network

We help organizations advance equity, drive program improvement, and articulate their impact through the use of their program data through the Workforce Benchmarking Network (WBN) and the WBN National Survey. The Network helps ensure that quality data and information about programs and practices are available to community-based organizations, public and private funders, and other intermediaries providing workforce development services around the country. The WBN National Survey, a cornerstone of the WBN, provides confidential information on workforce program services and results, disaggregated by race/ethnicity and gender, with interactive comparison reports that provide needed field-wide performance benchmarking. Through our tools and  Workforce Benchmarking Network Cohorts, we also build the field’s capacity to use that evidence to develop more effective services, programs and policies.  

Implementation-Focused Strategic Research & Advising

Too often “best practice” research and strategic advising misses the mark; it is not grounded in the local context, does not incorporate the perspective of the organizations and staff doing the work, and is not participant-centered. We focus on research and advising that is both aspirational and achievable, with a path forward that is inclusive and equitable.

We partner with funders, workforce intermediaries and community organizations to research and identify strategies to advance organizational, local, regional, and statewide systems change. Central to this work includes devising systems, practices, and policy that meaningfully centers learner & worker expertise and experience in the recommendations, as well as those of seasoned workforce practitioners. The result are processes and outcomes that are worker-centered, employer-responsive, and supported and championed by organizational & system staff.

Communities of Practice and Learning Cohorts

We build the capacity of workforce organizations and professionals so they can deliver equitable employment and economic outcomes for jobseekers through learning communities and fellowship opportunities. We bring workforce organizations and workforce practitioners together and connect them with peers, public and private funders, and other resources for learning and collaboration. Our learning cohorts are focused on continuous improvement, with tools and technical assistance for using data and feedback to improve program results. The outcome is that practitioners and organizations are adaptive and valued players in the workforce system. We also design peer exchange events, expert workshops, learning academies, and communities of practice on other workforce topics, like employer partnership, impact assessment, centering learner voice, and alumni engagement. 

Coaching & Technical Assistance for Workforce Organizations

We provide capacity building, 1:1 coaching, and technical assistance to organizations looking to expand their services and deepen impact. Our work strengthens the capacity of workforce organizations and their staff to improve outcomes for job seekers through peer-learning sessions, introduction of evidence-based best practices, coaching calls, webinars and resource exchanges.

Strategy Development & Advising

We partner with funders, workforce intermediaries and community organizations to research and identify strategies to advance local, regional, and statewide systems change. Central to this work includes devising systems, practices, and policy that meaningfully centers learner and worker expertise and experience in the recommendations.

We firmly believe that the key to achieving a workforce system that allows for everyone to achieve economic mobility is by having a deep bench of dedicated, skilled, and passionate workforce professionals. Our team has a history of supporting the development of workforce professionals, through our peer exchanges and a variety of professional development initiatives. Our signature program, the Workforce Leadership Academy (conducted in partnership with the Aspen Institute), brings together emerging workforce leaders to deepen networks, strengthen systems leadership skills, and apply systems change frameworks to increase understanding of effective strategies and programs. The result is a workforce leadership base that understands and can successfully navigate the complexities and opportunities within and across systems.

Actionable Tools & Resources

We create tools and resources that help workforce practitioners do their job efficiently and effectively. These tools and resources share continuous improvement expertise, as well as other relevant resources and implementation lessons, to assist organizations with planning, operationalizing, and monitoring effective practices.