EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY
UnifyWork | November 15, 2022
UnifyWork announced today the launch of its workforce intelligence platform, the first of its kind in the market. Its patented skills-based technology powers local talent networks by coupling the market demand for skills development with equitable hiring to remove the barriers associated with the traditional labor market. A Harvard-Accenture study in 2021 found that there are more than 27 million hidden workers who could work or find better work, but are not considered by the current methods of talent acquisition and development in the U.S. These hidden workers already have, or could acquire the skills needed to succeed. However, there is a siloed system of skills-based education and training in the U.S. that is misaligned, and UnifyWork is fixing it.
UnifyWork's platform replaces the time-consuming resume and application process with a brief assessment that identifies job seeker skills and interests. The platform's skills-based matching algorithm then presents select in-demand jobs – including detailed job descriptions and pay ranges – that align with the candidate's unique abilities and preferences. By leveraging UnifyWork to fill job openings, employers gain access to an untapped talent pool of prequalified candidates that will not find them on traditional job boards. The platform also masks candidate identities until a match between the employer and job seeker is made - minimizing bias in the hiring process. Beyond connecting employers and candidates for the careers of today, UnifyWork is helping ensure the long-term viability of full employment in the region. With UnifyWork, educators, workforce and economic development organizations can get real-time insights on job supply and demand, and assess opportunities to upskill or re-skill talent to meet current and emergent needs, addressing the historic labor shortage head on.
"Across the state, Ohio is creating jobs faster than employers can find people to fill them, and we welcome solutions like UnifyWork that have the ability to match Ohioans with meaningful careers, while supporting local business owners and entrepreneurs, It is critical for companies and institutions from both the public and private sector to collaborate on promoting transparent and impactful hiring practices, and this platform will work to generate a more robust and accessible labor market for all of Cleveland."
Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted.
UnifyWork is the fourth breakthrough technology company founded in Cleveland by local tech entrepreneur, Stephen McHale. With his deep experience in big data, machine learning, and leveraging supply chain workflow models, he and his team are determined to transform hiring for good. I love Cleveland and wanted to create a technology that would benefit everyone," said McHale. "That might seem overly ambitious, but I want to support individual and collective thriving in our area. Nothing touches everyone quite the way that work does, whether you are a job seeker, an employer, educator or a professional in workforce or economic development - you care about people being in the right work for their lives. In celebration of its launch, UnifyWork is welcoming its most active users, employers and partners to attend their exclusive launch event on December 7th at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Attendees will hear from community leaders, and walk away with two tickets to an upcoming Cavaliers game, with a chance to win courtside seats.
About UnifyWork
UnifyWork is the first workforce intelligence platform powering regional talent networks through its patented skills-based technology. The platform enables more equitable hiring practices, and provides real-time data on job market supply and demand to help regions unleash their full economic potential. Headquartered in Cleveland, OH, UnifyWork is a spin-out of Unify Labs, a 509(a)3 non-profit founded in 2017, with the mission of powering inclusive prosperity.
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TALENT DEVELOPMENT
Florida International University | October 12, 2022
Florida International University (FIU) has joined an initiative designed to help students access the skills and credentials necessary to succeed in high-demand technology careers. Through a partnership with the tech talent platform SkillStorm, FIU students can now participate in courses that lead to credentials from the country's leading tech companies, including AWS, Salesforce, CompTIA and Pega.
"As one of Florida's largest institutions, we have a responsibility to prepare our students to navigate a rapidly evolving and increasingly digital labor market,Partnerships like this one, which will draw on SkillStorm's unique training model and deep relationships with major tech employers, are helping us realize that mission and fulfill our role as an engine of economic mobility throughout the state."
Bridgette Cram, Interim Vice President, Innovative Education & Student Success at Florida International University.
Though Hispanics make up nearly one-fifth of the U.S. workforce, they are just 7 percent of the tech workforce, according to recent research from the Aspen Institute and the Kapor Center. As the country's largest Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) with more than 32,000 students who identify as Hispanic or Latino, FIU is uniquely positioned to help close this persistent gap by expanding access to the credentials that are most in-demand among technology employers today. FIU's partnership with SkillStorm includes the Accelerator Program . SkillStorm's Accelerator Program provides online, asynchronous and traditional training courses to help students gain certification in AWS, Salesforce, CompTIA and Pega. Our work is rooted in the belief that closing skill gaps and creating pathways to economic mobility are, in many ways, two sides of the same coin,said Joe Mitchell, COO at SkillStorm. Together with FIU, we're enabling more students to learn the skills that lead to success in today's world of work, and expanding access to economic opportunity for those who stand to gain the most from the promise of higher education. The certifications provided through these partnership tracks are designed for students and professionals at any stage of their educational or career journey. Many of FIU's certification courses will offer students the flexibility to attend when convenient, while providing access to one-on-one training from industry-certified instructors.
About FIU
Florida International University is a top public university that drives real talent and innovation in Miami and globally. Very high research (R1) activity and high social mobility come together at FIU to uplift and accelerate learner success in a global city by focusing in the areas of environment, health, innovation, and justice. Today, FIU has two campuses and multiple centers. FIU serves a diverse student body of more than 58,000 and 290,000 Panther alumni. U.S. News and World Report places dozens of FIU programs among the best in the nation, including international business at No. 2. Washington Monthly Magazine ranks FIU among the top 20 public universities contributing to the public good.
About SkillStorm
SkillStorm is bringing together Fortune 500 employers, universities, and government agencies to build tomorrow's highly skilled tech workforce. Through partnerships with platforms like Pega, Salesforce, AWS and ServiceNow, we help working learners and aspiring tech experts build in-demand skills and earn industry-recognized certifications to compete in an increasingly dynamic economy. Our work is rooted in the belief that closing skill gaps and boosting economic mobility are two sides of the same coin, and that new approaches to training can help to both expand the pool of skilled tech talent and create new pathways to opportunity.
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EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY
Connected Nation | September 27, 2022
Connected Nation (CN) today announced the launch of a Digital Literacy and Learning program in collaboration with AT&T. The program, which is part of AT&T's national digital literacy initiative to help narrow the Digital Divide, will offer in-person and virtual digital literacy training workshops in underserved areas across the country where training is needed most for the digital empowerment of residents. CN will partner with local community organizations in each area to host training workshops from September 2022 through March 2023. In addition, CN will lead virtual and in-person workshops for military families at its Digital Works office in Fort Campbell, Kentucky"Digital literacy has long been part of Connected Nation's mission ensuring that every person is able to use technology meaningfully is absolutely essential in today's digital economy, said Heather Gate, Executive Vice President of Digital Inclusion. This program provides us the opportunity to meet people where they are in their digital skills level, confidence with embracing technology, and interest in enhancing their skills as new technology adopters. There is no better way to do this than by collaborating with trusted partners to bring much-needed training to local communities across the country. We are excited to get started. To launch this program, CN staff is reaching out to communities that previously participated in the nonprofit's technology planning process and identified digital literacy as a need. "Offering a tangible skill like digital literacy training to communities that Connected Nation works with allows us to model closing the Digital Divide in a real way," said Pamela Waggoner, Broadband Solutions Manager.
The amount of federal and state funding earmarked for broadband initiatives continues to grow. More communities than ever have access to these funds, and can use them to bring programs like this one to their residents.
"In recent months, there has been a considerable emphasis and focus on the large investments being made by federal and state governments to support the buildout of very high-speed networks across our communities.We also need to prepare these communities with the tools and training necessary to take advantage of these capabilities to help improve their lives. This initiative will be a significant factor in addressing that need."
Dan Manning, CN Broadband Solutions Manager
About Connected Nation
Connected Nation celebrated 20 years of service in 2021. The national nonprofit's mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation.
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