New England Workforce Network Conference
It's time to fast forward!
Join us for the New England Workforce Network Virtual Conference "Fast Forward: Innovative Workforce Development in Changing Times" on May 7, 2021.
The New England Workforce Network (NEWN) Conference is a collaborative effort with workforce professionals from all over New England. This year's theme is Fast Forward: Innovative Workforce Development in Changing Times, reflecting the turbulent times and the tremendous synergistic value of planning and acting in concert with the various stakeholders in workforce areas. NEWN was conceived in 2001 in response tothe desire among workforce development providers to share best practices and network in a larger context that goes beyond state boundaries. Since 2002, NEWN has held anumber of conferences that focused on a range of topics that resonate among professionals who are involved in workforce development within community colleges, workforce development boards, economic development agencies and other settings. We hope that you will be able to join us virtually for our exciting 11th NEWN Conference on May 7, 2021.
keynote speaker: andy van kleunen
Andy Van Kleunen is the Chief Executive Officer of National Skills Coalition, which he founded in 2000 in collaboration with leaders from the workforce development and philanthropic communities. Andy has since led the Coalition to become a nationally recognized voice on behalf of a variety of stakeholders-including business leaders, labor leaders, community colleges, community-based organizations, and leaders from the public workforce system-who have come together to advocate for an America that grows its economy by investing in its people. Andy is a recognized expert on workforce and education policy issues and is regularly invited to advise Congress, the federal government and state agencies.
Prior to founding the Coalition, Andy was Director of Workforce Policy for the national Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute, where he worked with employers, unions and client advocates to improve job quality and training for low-wage workers within the nation's long-term care sector. Andy also spent over 14 years in community organizing and development efforts within several of New York City's low-income and working-class neighborhoods.
He holds a master's degree in urban sociology from the Graduate Faculty at the New School for Social Research, and a bachelor's degree in political science and honors studies from Villanova University. He is based in Philadelphia and Washington, DC.
