Join CIAW for “Workforce Wednesdays” each Wednesday in August!
Workforce development programs are an important part of the nation’s economic recovery and job creation effort, yet our nation’s investments in the skills of its people are at risk. Non-defense discretionary programs—including education and workforce programs—face at least $55 billion in funding cuts as of January 2013 due to the Budget Control Act, and efforts to protect funding for defense programs could double the size of these cuts. Key policymakers have even proposed eliminating dozens of federal workforce programs. It is critically important that we help policymakers understand why investments in workforce development programs are important and how these investments impact their local communities.
Participate in Workforce Wednesdays by taking action—it can be as simple as calling your Senators or Representative or, even better, arranging a site visit with program participants (jobseekers or employers)—but just take action on one or more Wednesdays during the month of August. Stand united with CIAW in support of adequate funding for adult education and workforce training programs!
Members of Congress will be in their home districts during the month of August. Contact your Senators and Representative today to arrange an in-district meeting, a site visit, or engage in a direct conversation with in-district staff to let them know where you stand on funding for workforce education and training and related programs. Or let your local community know why these investments matter by submitting an op-ed or letter to the Editor to your local paper. What you do isn’t as important as that you do something, so take action as part of Workforce Wednesdays in August!
Visit SOS! Save Our Skills to learn more ways to get involved. Or for additional information contact Angela Hanks.
a diverse coalition of national organizations helping people raise their skills, to compete in today’s rapidly restructuring economy.
One thought in addition to the proposed participation in workforce Wednesdays. Solicit media support, go viral, get support by leading nationwide bloggers. You’d want volume/nationwide focus on this important topic rather than individual efforts, albeit at the aggregate level, such are of course important and valuable.
Just 2 cents.