Over 90% of jobs require digital skills, but one-third of workers can’t access the foundational digital skills necessary to enter and thrive in today’s jobs. This digital skill divide disproportionately impacts workers of color, low-income individuals, and rural residents. Fortunately, new once-in-a-generation federal investments – along with efforts across the private sector – present an opportunity to close the digital skills divide.  

As part of National Digital Inclusion Week, National Skills Coalition and Business Leaders United hosted a Fireside Chat with Comcast’s Dalila Wilson-Scott. She joined NSC CEO Andy Van Kleunen and a panel of thought leaders for a dynamic conversation about how private sector leaders – from small local firms to Fortune 500s – are collaborating with community partners to close the digital skill divide and drive a more equitable, inclusive economy. 

Moderator: Andy Van Kleunen, CEO, National Skills Coalition 

Featured Guest: Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP and Chief Diversity Officer, Comcast Corporation and President, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation 

Response Panel:

• Peter Beard, Senior Vice President for Workforce Development, Greater Houston Partnership.
• Ankur Gopal, CEO, Interapt
• Angela Siefer, Executive Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance

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NSC CEO Andy Van Kleunen joins Secretary Jennifer Granholm to hear how the U.S. Department of Energy is implementing federal investments and partnering with agencies across the government to develop our nation’s clean energy workforce.

Last month the Biden Administration passed the Inflation Reduction Act, making historic investments to protect and improve land, water, air, and health in underserved communities. Along with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS and Science Act, these investments hold the potential to create and transform millions of jobs. The Department of Energy’s focus now is to channel these federal dollars into our local communities, particularly those that are disadvantaged, marginalized, and underserved. These same communities have limited access to high-quality, inclusive skills training to fill clean energy jobs.

Hear from Secretary Granholm about the steps her agency is taking not only for cleaner, smarter, and more affordable energy services, but to also support high-quality, inclusive skills training that will leverage the talent of America’s workers to power a clean energy future.

Moderator: Andy Van Kleunen, CEO, National Skills Coalition

Featured Guest: U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm, U.S. Department of Energy

Respondents:

• Dr. Lisa Bly-Jones, CEO, Chicago Jobs Council
• John Brauer, Workforce and Economic Development Program Director, California Labor Federation
• Laure-Jeanne Davignon, VP of Workforce, Interstate Renewable Energy Council

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NSC CEO Andy Van Kleunen joins Senior Advisor to the President and Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator Mitch Landrieu, and a group of local leaders for a discussion about the Biden administration’s efforts to support industry partnerships, advance racial equity, and produce quality jobs through the rollout of the bi-partisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Biden Administration recently announced the allocation of $40 billion of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) toward workforce development efforts. The White House also issued the Talent Pipeline Challenge to secure commitments from local officials, employers, unions, and industry partnerships to use these recovery investments to train a diverse infrastructure workforce. Hear the latest from the person leading President Biden’s infrastructure rollout and from local leaders who have made Talent Pipeline Challenge commitments and are leveraging ARPA resources to support local industry partnerships, equitable workforce development, and quality jobs.

Moderator: Andy Van Kleunen, CEO, National Skills Coalition 

Featured Guest: Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, White House Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator 

Respondents: 

• Donny Jones, COO, Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and Executive Director, West Alabama Works 
• Kelly Kupcak, Executive Director, Oregon Tradeswomen 
• Liza Smitherman, Business Leaders United Member, Chief People Officer, Jostin Construction  

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Moderator: Andy Van Kleunen, CEO, National Skills Coalition

Featured Guest: John Furner, President and CEO, Walmart U.S.

Respondents:

• Bridgette Gray, Chief Customer Officer, Opportunity@Work 
• Ryan Campbell, Business Leaders United Member and Co-Owner, Director of Strategy and Operations, Chris’ Caribbean Bistro
• Valerie Richardson, Business Leaders United Member and Director, Workforce Development, Prisma Health

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On May 24th, 2022, NSC CEO Andy Van Kleunen was joined by City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Juan Salgado and a panel of thought leaders for a dynamic conversation about how Future Ready is preparing Chicago residents to rebuild the region’s infrastructure, connecting employers to local talent, narrowing the digital divide, and driving a more equitable, inclusive economic recovery.

In 2021, the City Colleges of Chicago leveraged federal recovery investments to launch Future Ready, offering high-demand, short-term credentials at no cost to Chicagoans who want to advance in their job, start a new career, or harness rapidly changing workplace technologies.

Moderator: Andy Van Kleunen, CEO, National Skills Coalition

Featured Guest: Juan Salgado, Chancellor, City Colleges of Chicago

Respondents:

• Farhad Asghar, Program Officer, Pathways to Postsecondary Success, Carnegie Corporation of New York
• Julie Peller, Executive Director, Higher Learning Advocates
• Matt Summy, Vice President, Strategic Planning for Impact & Inclusion, Comcast

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Moderator: Andy Van Kleunen | Chief Executive Officer, National Skills Coalition

Respondents:
Dr. Alex Camardelle | Director of Workforce Policy, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
Derrick Figures | Labor and Economic Justice Director, Sierra Club
Jee Hang Lee | President and CEO, Association of Community College Trustees
Jennie Sparandara | Head of Programs, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

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Moderator: Andy Van Kleunen | CEO of National Skills Coalition

Respondents:
Chandler Morse | Head of North America Public Policy at Workday
Carolyn Lee | Executive Director of The Manufacturing Institute at the National Association of Manufacturers
Dr. Sekou Siby | Executive Director of Restaurant Opportunities Center United

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Moderator: Andy Van Kleunen | CEO of National Skills Coalition

Respondents:
Dr. Alex Camardelle | Director of Workforce Policy, Joint Center
Allison Dembeck | Vice President of Education and Labor Advocacy, Government Affairs, U.S. Chamber
Brad Markell | Executive Director, AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council

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