By Dana Jennings, Senior Vice President, Communications, Marketing & Events
The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) has awarded Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas (WFSDallas) the prestigious Excellence in Chamber of Commerce Partnership Award for its partnership and collaboration with the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC).
Awards from NAWB honor remarkable contributions to workforce development across the country. In selecting the DRC and WFSDallas partnership, the awarding committee lauded the “true collaborative effort and long-term commitments” demonstrated by both organizations, deeming the partnership an “exemplary” model.
“Workforce readiness and inclusive opportunities for workforce participation are essential to achieving the Dallas Regional Chamber’s mission of making our region the best place in America to live, work, and do business,” said Angela Farley, DRC COO and CFO. “For more than 30 years, Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas has been an indelible partner as we’ve connected the needs of the business community with the development of our region’s workers and future workers to support the prosperity of our companies and communities while ensuring all people can lead a fulfilling life and career.”
Through various workforce development initiatives, WFSDallas helps connect employers with quality people and people with quality jobs. For the decades-long partnership, the DRC has represented the voice of its member companies and the business community in decisions about WFSDallas’ investments in workforce development to help ensure the Dallas Region’s talent pool is trained and equipped to fill jobs that regional companies need.
“This award underscores the pivotal role of collaboration in effecting meaningful change within our community,” said Carter Holston, Chair of the Board for Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas. “We take immense pride in our partnership with the Dallas Regional Chamber, working together to advance workforce development initiatives and bolster economic prosperity in the Greater Dallas area.”
The DRC and WFSDallas partnership presents a particular advantage to the Dallas Region because it allows organizations driving workforce development and the business community to align on the data that drives decision-making, which makes it easier to identify and address shared challenges and maximizes the number of open jobs matched with qualified people.
To provide additional value to stakeholders of both organizations, WFSDallas has payrolled positions that co-locate at the DRC, meaning a WFSDallas employee is working day-to-day with DRC teams. At present, the DRC has a WFSDallas data developer in-house. In the past, this strategy has responded to the business community’s needs, at times featuring employees focused on health care and child care, among others.
“Workforce boards and partners nationwide work together to catalyze economic vitality; these award recipients are inspiring proof points, demonstrating just how much good the workforce system can achieve,” said Brad Turner-Little, NAWB President and CEO. “We at NAWB are inspired by their work and are so excited to honor their commitment. These recipients are serving their communities in both innovative and impactful ways—providing a model for our workforce system. NAWB is privileged to elevate their work.”
The DRC and WFSDallas will officially be presented with the NAWB’s Excellence in Chamber of Commerce Partnership Award at NAWB’s national conference in Washington, D.C., in late March, tailored for leaders in workforce development, business, and education.
To learn more about how the DRC drives workforce development for the good of the region and its people, explore our Education, Talent & Workforce strategic priority.