In order to develop new sources of skilled talent, private sector employers are forging partnerships with innovative nonprofit organizations to create enterprising pathway programs that are highly effective at closing the gap between business needs and potential employee skills. Corporate Voices is closely aligned with the New Options Project, a multi-year initiative supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation that seeks to connect more than four million young adults with no high school diploma to meaningful career opportunities that match their talents and skills.

To showcase the work Corporate Voices is doing to support New Options, it is proud to announce the expansion of the Enterprising Pathways section on its website.  The expanded section features resources such as series of micro-business case studies that highlight best practice companies that are supporting enterprising pathways, information about ongoing policy work and information on how businesses can become involved.     

To view the new Enterprising Pathways section, click here.   

Applications Now Available for 2012 Best Companies for Hourly Workers

Corporate Voices, in partnership with Working Mother Media is proud to announce that the 2012 Best Companies for Hourly Workers application is now open. You may apply if your company has a minimum of 500 employees in the United States and at least half (50 percent) of your company's total U.S. employees are nonexempt.

A spot on the Working Mother Best Companies for Hourly Workers list acknowledges and validates your support for your hourly workers, from benefits and flexibility to paid time off and pay. This highly-respected designation demonstrates to current and future employees, customers and competitors that your company appreciates the positive effect of programs that impact work-life balance, health and wellness, education and career advancement programs on employee recruitment, retention, productivity and ROI.

All winning companies will be featured in the April/May 2012 issue of Working Mother magazine, on workingmother.com and celebrated at a gala event in May 2012.

Completed applications are due by October 14, 2011.

Standing up for Investments in America's Workers and Industries: National Workforce Week of Action Was a Success 

America's workforce is our country's most valuable resource, but right now there are more than 14 million people who can't find a job. At the same time, a large percentage of job openings remain unfilled due to a shortage in workers who have the skills these positions require. Federal employment and job training programs give Americans the education and training services they need to get back to work and help businesses find the workers they need. While we appreciate the importance of shared sacrifice in the face of our national debt, Corporate Voices believes that now is not the time to reduce our investments in these vital programs.

As part of National Workforce Week of Action, August 15-19, Corporate Voices joined members of the business community, labor, education and training programs and the public sector across the nation to stand up for investments in America's workers and industries. In meetings with members of Congress, in the press, and through social media, the workforce community urged policymakers to support adequate funding for workforce education and training programs. 

To read about the highlights from National Workforce Week of Action, click here. 

Commit to Improving Business and Society and Network with Key Stakeholders

As a sponsor of this year's  COMMIT! FORUM we would like to invite you to join us September 26-27, 2011 at the Javits Center in NYC. This unique event brings together the largest group of leaders focused on corporate responsibility, and improving business and society. The packed agenda focuses on inspiring, educating and engaging companies and individuals to change the world.

Included in the impressive agenda is a panel debating the value of corporate responsibility. Four leaders in investment management and academic analysis will debate whether shareholder value is eroded or enhanced when companies integrate sustainability strategies and pursue corporate responsibility initiatives. In this Oxford-style debate, two teams will seek to sway the audience with their compelling positions, arguments and rebuttals. To read more about this panel, click here.     

Your attendance is important. This event allows attendees a special opportunity to have their voice heard and become part of the solution!  Workshops and interactive track sessions call on attendees to shape the discussion and learn more about how we can all make a difference from experts in the field.

Visit www.commitforum.com to learn more about this engaging opportunity. Also, as our guest you can receive a 50 percent discount on registration.

Register today and enter the following discount code: CORPVOICE

Earlier this month, Corporate Voices' corporate partner company Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced a $3 million initiative designed to help Washington D.C. residents get the skills and training they need to gain employment. The program will offer literacy, customer service and retail training to 2,000 District residents.

Stephen M. Wing with   Gen. Colin Powell

As part of the initiative, the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region will administer an open grant competition that will re-grant $1.3 million from the Walmart Foundation to local Community Based Organizations. Corporate Voices' is honored to announce that Stephen M. Wing, will serve on the special grant review committee as part of this process. For more information, click here. 

All participants in the programs will have access to job recruitment, career counseling and job placement services for customer service opportunities at companies across D.C., including future Walmart stores.

Corporate Voices  at Upcoming Meetings & Conferences 

September 8, 2011: Nonprofit Learning Point 15th Annual Fall Conference, Richmond, VA 

September 25-26, 2011: COMMIT! Forum 2011, New York, NY

October 2-5, 2011: STEM Tech, Indianapolis, IN

October 11-12, 2011: NCLR Workforce Development Forum, Chicago, IL 

October 22-25, 2011: Growing the Workforce for a New American Economy, St. Louis, MO

November 3-5, 2011: Opportunity Nation 2012 Annual Summit, New York, NY

November 9-11, 2011: CAEL 2011 International Conference, Chicago, IL

What We're Reading

Princeton Economist Tapped to Head Council of Economic Advisers, The Washington Post, August 29, 2011.

Farther, Faster: Six Promising Programs Show How Career Pathway Bridges Help Basic Skills Students Earn Credentials That Matter, CLASP, Center for Postsecondary and Economic Success, August 2011.  

Transit Access and Zero-Vehicle Households, The Brookings Institution, August 2011.  

Creating a List of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Excelencia in Education, August 2011.