Workforce Strategy Center

Workforce Strategy Center (WSC) is a nonprofit organization that works with federal, state and local workforce development and economic development agencies and community colleges to align policies and practices to help workers advance in a changing economy.

The organization focuses on working with other entities with the ultimate goal of finding ways to transition workers displaced from their previous jobs into new careers.

One example of such an approach is Career Pathways, a framework for career advancement that has emerged over the past decade that emphasizes the need for post-secondary education and training. Workforce Strategy Center (WSC) has worked throughout the United States on Career Pathways.

Founded by Julian L. Alssid in 1998, WSC has three main areas of concentration. WSC works with education, workforce development and economic development practitioners on the state and local levels to develop strategies to help students and workers meet the needs of local economies . WSC assists state and national policymakers to develop education and employment policies that better align public resources to develop more effective workforce development programs . As an applied think tank, WSC conducts research and issues reports to advance the field of workforce development policy and practice . Workforce Strategy Center's work has been cited in national newspapers , prominent trade publications , and on National Public Radio .

Publications

WSC has published articles and reports on workforce development issues . In addition, WSC has published the following op-eds:

• Alssid, J. L., Goldberg, M. (2012, March 20). Community colleges not simply viewed as employee mills. The Boston Globe. Available at http://articles.boston.com/2012-03-20/letters/31220527_1_community-colleges-employers-students
• Alssid, J. L. (2011, January 12). When Plenty is Not Nearly Enough. The Huffington Post. Available at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julian-l-alssid/when-plenty-is-not-nearly_b_807897.html
• Alssid, J. L. (2010, July 21). The Road to Tomorrow's Jobs is Not Yesterday's Training. The Huffington Post. Available at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julian-l-alssid/the-road-to-tomorrows-job_b_654745.html
• Alssid, J. L. (2010, June 3). The Promise of "Green" and a Dash of "Reality". The Huffington Post. Available at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julian-l-alssid/the-promise-of-green-and_b_595750.html
• Alssid, J. L. (2010, March 18). Finding a Cure for the Health Care Workforce Shortage. The Huffington Post. Available at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julian-l-alssid/finding-a-cure-for-the-he_b_503774.html
• Alssid, J. L. (2010, January 12). Will a 'Skills Recession' Prolong Unemployment Woes? The Huffington Post. Available at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julian-l-alssid/will-a-skills-recession-p_b_420550.html
• Alssid, J. L. (2009, May 12). Community colleges and the economic recovery. The Plain Dealer. Available at http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/05/community_colleges_and_the_eco.html
• Alssid, J., & Leviss, J. (2009, March 3). Workforce Development Essential to Obama's Health Care IT Initiative. The Huffington Post. Available at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julian-l-alssid-and-jonathan-a-leviss/workforce-development-ess_b_171556.html?view=screen
• Alssid, J., & Jenkins, D. (2009, January 13). Create Jobs Now, but Build Skills for the Future. The Huffington Post. Available at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julian-l-alssid-and-davis-jenkins/create-jobs-now-but-build_b_157583.html
• Alssid, J. (2008, October 8). Candidates Must Develop Plan For American Workers Based On Knowledge Economy. The Huffington Post. Available at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julian-l-alssid/candidates-must-develop-p_b_133040.html
• Alssid, J., & Lawing, K. (2008, September 12). Build On Success Of Work Force System. Witchita Eagle. Available at http://www.kansas.com/205/story/526631.html
• Alssid, J., & St. Angelo, S. (2008, June 5). Solution for employment woes. Lexington Herald-Leader. Available at http://www.kentucky.com/589/story/424783.html
• Alssid, J., & D’Amico, C. (2008, April 8). Creating pathways to careers for low-wage workers. Indianapolis Star, p. A9.
• Alssid, J. (2008, March 18). State needs strategy to develop knowledge economy. The Newport Daily News, p. A9.
• Leach, M., & Alssid, J. (2008, February 3). Arkansas now has a pathway to a global workforce. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, p. 2J.
• Alssid, J. (2007, September 19). As Job Market Advances, So Can American Workers. The Christian Science Monitor. Available at http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0919/p09s02-coop.html?page=1

External links

• Workforce Strategy Center official website

References

• Carmichael, M. (2011, November 19). Community colleges dispute call for overhaul. The Boston Globe. Available at http://bostonglobe.com/metro/2011/11/19/community-colleges-dispute-call-for-overhaul/HnbSqKe2vVZyUbIeUIFB1N/story.html
• Becker, D. (2011, November 18). Report: Mass. Community Colleges ‘Need Improvement. 90.9 WBUR, Boston's NPR New Station. Available at http://www.wbur.org/2011/11/18/community-colleges
• McCormick, B. (2011, September 29). Work-force development key for Central Louisiana business alliance. The Town Talk. Available at http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20110929/NEWS01/109290311/Work-force-development-key-Central-Louisiana-business-alliance?odyssey=nav|head
• Choma, R. (2011, September 8). Promise of green jobs falls short for many. Investigative Reporting Workshop. Available at http://americawhatwentwrong.org/story/promise-green-jobs-falls-short/
• Davidson, P. (2011, July 14). Science, tech jobs see better pay, government study finds. USA Today. Available at http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2011-07-14-science-and-tech-jobs-pay-better_n.htm
• Jacobs, J. (2011, January 18). In a tough economy, new focus on job-oriented certificates. The Hechinger Report. Available at http://hechingerreport.org/content/in-a-tough-economy-new-focus-on-job-oriented-certificates_4968/
• Potts, M. (2010, November 8). Green Job Search. The American Prospect. Available at http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=green_job_search
• Gonzalez, J. (2010, November 4). Bridge Programs for Underprepared Adults Could Improve College Completion. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Available at http://chronicle.com/article/Bridge-Programs-for/125260/?sid=at
• Shaughnessy, M. F. (2010, June 12). An Interview with Julian Alssid: Where the Jobs Are……or Are Going to Be! EducationNews.org. Available at http://www.educationnews.org/michael-f-shaughnessy/92774.html
• Davidson, P. (2010, June 4). Laid-off workers retrain but end up in same spot: Jobless. USA Today. Available at http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2010-06-04-retrain04_CV_N.htm
• Bradley, P. (2010, May 3). Cover Story: Small State, Big Challenges. Community College Week. Available at http://www.ccweek.com/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=1821&zoneid=7
• Jordan, J. D. (2010, April 15). CCRI urged to redirect efforts. The Providence Journal. Available at http://www.projo.com/education/content/ccri_workforce_04-15-10_5GI4FMI_v33.389e37f.html
• Hamilton, W. (2010, April 14). Panel: CCRI needs focus, resources. Providence Business News. Available at http://www.pbn.com/stories/49178.html
• Grossman, L. (2010). New York City Career Pathways: Skills Strategies for Low-paid Immigrants. In F. Froy, S. Giguère & A. Hofer (Eds.), Designing Local Skill Strategies (pp. 239 - 274). Paris: OECD Publishing.
• Balderrama, A. (2010, February 10). Available Jobs, Not Enough Skilled Workers. MSN. Available at http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-2192-Job-Search-Available-Jobs-Not-Enough-Skilled-Workers/?sc_extcmp=JS_2192_advice&SiteId=cbmsn42192
• Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. (2010, January). Closing the Gaps to Build the Future: Improving Workforce Development in the National Capital Region. Washington D.C.: Author.
• Krigman, E. (2010, January 27). Help Wanted For High-Skills Jobs. National Journal Online. Available at http://www.nationaljournal.com/njonline/no_20100127_1861.php
• Kelso, B. H. (2009, November 25). Is A Recovery Without Jobs Really A Recovery?. Michigan Business News Blog. Available at http://businessmichigan.blogspot.com/2009/11/is-recovery-without-jobs-really.html
• Jordan, J. D. (2009, November 14). CCRI is spread too thin to train 21st-century work force, report finds. The Providence Journal. Available at http://www.projo.com/news/content/ccri_future_11-14-09_3DGE9K3_v62.39880d3.html
• 2009, November 12). Do You Need To 'Year Up' Your CSR Initiative? Training Magazine. Available at http://www.managesmarter.com/msg/content_display/management/e3i84436228620cd5497ef2489fea09e790
• Bozell, M. R. (Interviewee). (2009, November 9). Transformation for a New Career, Skill Sets [Radio Segment]. In J. Cooper (Host), Topical Currents. Miami: WLRN.
• Brown, E. A. (2009, November 6). Report highlights effective CTE programs for at-risk youth. Education Daily, 42(194).
• Shaughnessy, M. F. (2009, November 2). An Interview with Julian L. Alssid: Help in the Work Force. EducationNews.org. Available at http://www.ednews.org/articles/an-interview-with-julian-l-alssid-help-in-the-work-force.html
• Mirones, A. (2009, October 22). Teaching Skills To Employ Health Care Workers [News segment]. 9News. Cincinnati: WCPO.
• Hammond, B. (2009, October 20). Portland's Career Connections guides young people to good jobs. The Oregonian. Available at http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/10/portlands_career_connections_g.html
• Kolenc, V. (2009, October 17). Uncertain futures: 5-year work-force plan spelled out. El Paso Times. Available at http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_13581011?IADID=Search-www.elpasotimes.com-www.elpasotimes.com
• Cohen, S. I. (2009, October 9). The real 'green' jobs springing up. MarketWatch. Available at http://www.marketwatch.com/story/quantifying-green-jobs-shows-few-taking-root-2009-10-09
• Greenhouse, S. (2009, August 19). More White-Collar Workers Turn to Community Colleges. The New York Times. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/education/20COMMUN.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
• Fischer, K., & Parry, M. (2009, July 24). How Obama's $12-Billion Could Change 2-Year Colleges. The Chronicle of Higher Education. 55(42), A1.
• Parry, M., & Fischer, K. (2009, July 15). Obama's Ambitious Plan for Community Colleges Raises Hopes and Questions. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Available at http://chronicle.com/daily/2009/07/22070n.htm
• Field, K. (2009, May 22). A Year of College for All: What the President's Plan Would Mean for the Country. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 55(37), A16.
• Fischer, K. (2009, May 8). As the Auto Industry Shrinks, a Community College Retools. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 55(35), A1.
• Rossheim, J. (2009, April 17). Stimulus Allocates Billions for Job-Training Opportunities. Monster. Available at http://career-advice.monster.com/career-development/Education-Training/economic-stimulus-job-training/article.aspx
• Hamilton, W. (2009, April 4). Matching graduates to industry needs. Providence Business New. Available at http://pbn.com/detail/41420.html
• Alssid, J. L. (Interviewee). (2009, April 1). Recession FAQ: Workforce Strategy Center on Creating the Best Jobs for New York [Television series segment]. In R. Isaacson (Executive Producer), Brian Lehrer Live. New York: WNYC.
• Pulley, J. (2009, March 26). Positioned to help reignite the economy. Community College Times. Available at http://www.communitycollegetimes.com/article.cfm?ArticleId=1557&utm_source=ALL+US+CLIENTS&utm_campaign=b3e5c713fb-April_Newsletter&utm_medium=email
• Hoover, E. (2009, March 27). Collaborations Could Help Ease the Nursing Bottleneck. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 55(29), B9.
• Gedan, B. N. (2009, March 27). Carcieri urges a bigger push for biotechnology training. The Providence Journal. Available at http://www.projo.com/news/content/BZ_CARCIERI_BIOTECH_03-27-09_6ODQQDA_v62.30ad15c.html
• Brubaker, H. (2009, February 13). Why the stimulus needed to keep education. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Available at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/39543882.html
• Moore, B. (2009, January 19). Hire Callings: 14 Things Every Job Seeker Should Do. New York Post. Available at http://www.nypost.com/seven/01192009/jobs/hire_callings_150887.htm
• Smith, A. (2009, January 4). Job seekers told not to give up hope in ’09. The Providence Journal. Available at http://www.projo.com/business/content/JO_2009OUTLOOK_01-04-09_P3CQ15G_v24.1b00328.html
• Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. (2008, December 18). Texas Works: Training and Education for all Texans. Austin: Author.
• Wartzman, R. (2008, November 21). Auto Bailout: What Drucker Would Have Said. Business Week. Available at http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/nov2008/ca20081121_135700.htm
• Schoeff Jr., M. (2008, October 17). Obama, McCain Fail to Address Middle-Class Anxiety. Workforce Management. Available at http://workforce.com/wpmu/washington/2008/10/17/obama-mccain-fail-to-address-middle-class-anxiety/
• Smith, A. (2008, August 3). Continuing education gets hotter as the job market cools down. The Providence Journal. Available at http://www.projo.com/projojobs/content/JO_CONTINUINGED_08-03-08_26B1347_v19.199c745.html
• Smart, M. P. (2008, July/August). Hard Sell. Forward. Available at http://forward.msci.org/articles/0708hard-sell.cfm
• Gardner, M. (2008, June 9). Americans put themselves on the path to green careers. The Christian Science Monitor. Available at http://features.csmonitor.com/environment/2008/06/09/americans-put-themselves-on-the-path-to-green-careers/
• Sander, L. (2008, June 6). For Work-Force Training, a Plan to Give College Credit Where It's Due. The Chronicle of Higher Education. 54(39) A21.
• Chen, M. (2008, April 22). As the Economy Worsens: Helping People Find Jobs. The Gotham Gazette. Available at http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/communitydevelopment/20080422/20/2504
• Peter, T. A. (2008, February 25). Robots Set to Overhaul Service Industry, Jobs. The Christian Science Monitor. Available at http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0225/p01s01-usgn.html
• Hess, R. (2008, February 4). Longitudinal Study Shows Many Dropouts Not Even Trying at 20. Employment and Training Reporter, 39, 300-301
• Klein, H. (2008, January 24). A ‘Welcome’ development at KCC – Popular Hospitality & Tourism curriculum exceeds expectations. Courier Life Publications. Available at http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2008/01/24/import/20080124-archive202.txt
• Smith, A. (2008, January 6). Educated work force is needed, says job expert. The Providence Journal, p. H1.
• Dembicki, M. (2007, June 7). A simple message is critical in economic impact studies. Community College Times. Available at http://www.communitycollegetimes.com/article.cfm?TopicId=5&ArticleId=334
• Bragg, D. et al. (2007). A Cross-Case Analysis of Career Pathway Programs that Link Low-Skilled Adults to Family Sustaining Wage Careers. Minneapolis, MN: National Research Center for Career and Technical Education, University of Minnesota.
• Morales, C. (2006, August 7). N.Y. Project Yields To-Do Trilogy to Career Track. Employment & Training Reporter, 37(46), 718.
• Hughes, K. L., & Karp, M. M. (2006). Strengthening Transitions by Encouraging Career Pathways: A Look at State Policies and Practices. Washington DC: American Association of Community Colleges.
• Meadows, M. (2005, October 5). Pathway to Success in Life Sciences. The St. Louis American. Available at http://www.stlamerican.com/articles/2005/10/06/news/local_news/localnews03.txt
• Heisler, E. (2005, January 14). Leaders Here Want to take a Page From California in Biotech. St. Louis Post Dispatch, p. C1.
• Alssid, J., Gruber, D., Jenkins, D., Mazzeo, C., Roberts, B, & Stanback-Stroud, R. (2005). Engaging Institutions in Workforce Development: Career Pathways for Disadvantaged Adults. Workforce Development and Higher Education: A Strategic Role for Institutional Research: New Directions for Institutional Research, 128, 83-97.
• Women Employed Institute, the Chicago Jobs Council, and the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Great Cities Institute. (2005). Bridges to Careers for Low-Skilled Adults: A Program Development Guide. Chicago: Women Employed Institute.
• McGarry, B. (2004, November 30). ACC to Help Boost Area's High-Tech Employee Pool. The Post Star, p. B1.
• Angelo, J. M. (2004, April 1). The $250 million pie: Bush's federal funding program may be a pie with many slices, but for schools not prepared to vie for the funds, it may be a pie in the face. University Business.
• Evelyn, J. (2004, March 19). Community Colleges Expect Loss in Job-Training Funds Despite Bush's Promises. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 50(28), A23.
• MacAllum, K., Yoder, K., & Poliakoff, A. R. (2004). The 21st-Century Community College: A Strategic Guide to Maximizing Labor Market Responsiveness. Volumes 1, 2, and 3. Washington D.C.: Academy for Educational Development.
• Harmon, R., & MacAllum, K. (2003). Documented Characteristics of Labor Market-Responsive Community Colleges and a Review of Supporting Literature. Washington D.C.: US Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education.
• Kazis, R., & Liebowitz, M. (2003). Changing Courses: Instructional Innovations That Help Low-Income Students Succeed in Community College. New York: MDRC.