Strategies and Models for Engaging
Business
Maria Flynn,
Startup Quest,
& Tech SF
Employer Engagement
The Holy Grail of workforce development…
“a thing that is being earnestly pursued or sought
after.”
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What Kinds of Engagement?
• Employer involvement in education and training programs resulting
in:
 Employers as instructors and teachers
 Work-based learning opportunities
 Use of employers’ equipment for student training
 Increased hiring of graduates
• Improving employer systems and practices to provide better
advancement and career opportunities for incumbent employees
• Increasing employer contributions for external education and
training programs
• Encouraging action by employers that promotes:
 Alignment/consensus on competencies, credentials
 Sharing and adoption of employer best practices
 Advocacy for education, training and workforce development
policy
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What Makes it So Difficult?
•
•
•
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Limitations on funding, staff and time.
Need to make a compelling case for investment.
Overcoming prior negative experiences.
Others??
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Business Advocacy Self Employment Consortium (BASEC)
Kim Tesch-Vaught – Executive Director of CSNCFL, Focused Management Solutions
Angela Pate – CIO of CSNCFL, Focused Management Solutions
Diane Burke – Finance Manager CSNCFL, Focused Management Solutions
Vicki Piazza – Program Manager CSNCFL, Focused Management Solutions
David Williams – Special Projects Manager CSNCFL, Focused Management Solutions
Christina Jaynes – Program Coordinator CSNCFL, Focused Management Solutions
Neha Nanda, PhD – Evaluator, IMPAQ International
Focused Management Solutions is the contracted Administrative Entity for CareerSource
North Central Florida in Alachua and Bradford Counties
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Entrepreneurship to
Engage Business
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TechSF
Workforce Innovation Partnership
Krista Canellakis – Innovation Officer, San Francisco
Mayor's Office of Civic Innovation
Emylene Aspilla – Director of Strategic Initiative, San
Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development
Lupine Seran – Workforce Innovation Project Manager,
San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce
Development
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TechSF
Workforce Innovation Partnership
Sector:
• ICT: Information & Communications Technology
Key Strategies for Workforce Innovation CoLab:
• Structure: Collaborative laboratory for
experimentation in workforce development.
• Goals: Design, develop, and deploy innovative
workforce tools and services.
• Members: Employers, technology providers,
researchers, designers, and government agencies.
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