Midwest Urban Strategies’ footprint expands nationwide on Workforce Development Council

Midwest Urban Strategies is proud to announce that four members of its board were named to the U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council.

EmployIndy CEO Angela Carr Klitzsch; Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio CEO Lisa Patt-McDaniel; Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership CEO Karin M. Norrington-Reaves; and St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) President and CEO Dr. Alice Prince will be Trustees for the national Workforce Development Council.

“This is a great honor and speaks highly of Midwest Urban Strategies and we congratulate all four of our board members for being elected to the U.S. Conference of Mayors board,” said Tracey Carey, MUS Executive Director. “Midwest Urban Strategies’ footprint is expanding beyond the Midwest and we are pleased some of our leaders who are considered the top workforce professionals throughout the country will be lending their expertise, guidance, and counsel to workforce development nationwide.”

The four MUS members will choose between three WDC committees to serve as trustees:

• Advocacy/Policy Committee: National, Federal and congressional leaders understand workforce issues and take action to implement the USCM WDC’s policy recommendations.  State and local stakeholders understand workforce issues and take action to support the USCM WDC’s priorities.
• Membership Committee: WDC has a geographically and legislatively diverse membership base that is actively engaged in implementing its strategic plan.
• Best Practices and Communications Committee: WDC members have consistent access to workforce development and organizational best practices and are able to develop, implement, and scale effective workforce solutions.

For more than 40 years, the U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council has worked closely with Mayors and their representatives to influence Congress, policy, and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in directing employment and training funds throughout the country. The WDC works to ensure that workforce development activities are a key focus of cities. The WDC also supports and informs the work of the USCM Committee on Jobs, Education and Workforce.

A trained workforce is crucial to economic development. Rapid advancements in technology, artificial intelligence and automation mean changes in skills are necessary to perform jobs. Through collaboration and partnerships, WDC members are bringing together local government, businesses, chambers of commerce, education and other local entities to provide a pipeline to jobs for local job seekers and a platform for local job seekers to increase job skills. The WDC works to ensure that workforce development and innovation activities are key elements to the economic vitality of cities. For mayors and others interested in connecting to your local workforce boards to examine their innovative and dynamic activities, the WDC provides an effective platform.

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