At a recent conference organized by McCormack’s Center for Social Policy (CSP), keynoter Ronald G. Marlow urged workforce development professionals not to bury themselves so deeply in their tasks that they lose perspective. “Sometimes we get so busy doing our job that we forget to do the work associated with doing the job — connecting with stakeholders, informing and bringing along allies, and engaging those who may be antagonistic to mitigate their concerns,” said Marlow, who is vice president for workforce development at National Urban League.
McCormack student Ronald G. Marlow delivers CWC conference keynote, May 11, 2017.
Marlow, who is also a former board member of the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) and a current UMass Boston Public Policy PhD candidate, delivered a powerful message of equality, urging a focus on disadvantaged populations.
The 14th annual “Sharing Skills – Building Connections” conference, held this past May in Sturbridge, was organized by the Commonwealth Workforce Coalition (CWC), which is administered by CSP and CEDAC. The Commonwealth Workforce Coalition is a statewide initiative that seeks to strengthen the capacity of Massachusetts’ education, training, and workforce system to produce better employment and earnings outcomes for unemployed and underemployed residents. In 2016, CEDAC entered into a partnership with the Center for Social Policy (CSP) to administer the Commonwealth Workforce Coalition.
Each year, workforce development professionals convene to share their experiences and expertise to help develop strategies to support economic prosperity for all Massachusetts residents. Dean David W. Cash congratulated Susan Crandall, Director of CSP, and her staff for their efforts to make the conference a success. “This year’s Commonwealth Workforce Coalition conference provided a forum for diverse stakeholders to share innovative approaches to foster workforce development initiatives at the local and state level. Our Center for Social Policy conducts research and facilitates cross-sector capacity building that engages McCormack faculty, staff, students, and community collaborators to holistically address critical issues like economic mobility.”
Read more about the conference in CEDAC’s latest newsletter.