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November 18, 2022 – Future of Work

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation: Connecting skilled workers and employers

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There is talent and opportunity everywhere, but too often businesses and people lack the tools necessary to understand where unique skills and aptitudes can be leveraged. Their systems are too focused on credentials and not enough on actual skills that people possess. 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is working to solve this problem by connecting people with skills and passion to jobs for which they are qualified. Over the past several years, the USCCF has transformed employer engagement in business education partnerships; addressed the communication gap to ensure employers are clearer about the skills they need; and leveraged the latest technology to better support all stakeholders in the talent marketplace.

With support from the Charles Koch Foundation (CKF), the USCCF has now launched a new workforce initiative, JobSIDE, or Job Skills for In-Demand Employment, that will make it easier for employers to find qualified workers based on a candidate’s skills rather than their credentials. JobSIDE will source data on skills and jobs directly from employers and will enable education and training programs to align to employer needs. 

In doing so, JobSIDE will improve skills-based hiring and make it easier for workers of all skill levels to advance in their careers.

“The Charles Koch Foundation is committed to helping all people reach their potential, which is why we are excited to invest in JobSIDE,” said CKF Executive Director Ryan Stowers. “We believe that employer validated skills will not only help employers better identify new talent, but also unlock new education and career pathways.” 

JobSIDE tools and applications will build on the USCCF’s Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) initiative, which has brought employer-led talent supply chains to more than 40 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada. CKF also was an early supporter of TPM.

Read USCCF’s press release. Learn more about JobSIDE.