Businesses combine forces to encourage U.S. employers to invest in industry-recognized credentials and college degrees for their employees

Apr 9, 2015

Statement from Aaron Olson, Chief Talent Officer of Aon plc on announcement of Business Champions Supporting Credential Completion

Aon recognizes its responsibility to nurture the next generation of workplace professionals as well as push for more adults to get the skills needed for current jobs. We believe that investing in people is a requirement today, not an option. We are dedicated to growng careers that keep our people challenged and advancing. This focus is demonstrated in our industry-leading apprenticeship program, which develops talented young professionals for careers in risk management. For more information go to: www.businesschampions.com.

Washington, DC - April 9, 2015 - Executives from more than two dozen of the nation's top companies announced today the launch of a national effort to address the shortage of skilled workers. The first of its kind, Business Champions Supporting Credential Completion is a collaboration among top U.S. companies leading an employer movement to help more working adults obtain industry-recognized credentials and college degrees to fulfill job demands.

"We see education and credentialing as a valuable component of career development at PepsiCo," stated Erik Sossa, Vice President, Global Benefits and Wellness at Pepsico. "Talent sustainability and development is a key component of our Performance with Purpose mission."

Forty percent of available jobs stay unfilled because of the shrinking pool of skilled adult workers with the right training and credentials like licenses, degrees and industry-recognized certificates for jobs ranging from medical coding to welding, according to a recent survey by the human resources firm ManpowerGroup. Over the next decade, more than half of American jobs will require workers to have a college degree or other postsecondary credential. College or vocational training is closely linked with higher incomes, increased consumer purchasing power and improved economic health.

"There is nothing more important than the education and development of our nation's workforce," explained Michael A. Wright, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Covanta. "At Covanta, developing frontline workers to achieve their fullest potential is a true priority and an essential component of re-establishing America as the land of opportunity for those with the desire to succeed."

Business Champions members are leaders at top businesses across the United States, representing a wide variety of sectors from agriculture to health care to retail.

Business Champions Members

  • Advocate Healthcare
  • Aon plc
  • Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
  • Health Care Service Corporation
  • Bright Horizons Family Solutions
  • Brunswick Corporation
  • Cigna Corporation
  • Covanta
  • Eli's Cheesecake Company
  • Goodwill Industries International
  • Hilton Worldwide
  • Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce/UNITE-LA
  • McDonald's Corporation
  • Northwestern Medicine
  • National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
  • PepsiCo
  • The Jernstedt Company

The work of the Business Champions is facilitated by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and The Aspen Institute Skills for America's Future, organizations which share the goal of providing more workers in the U.S. with access to the education and training they need to succeed. It is also supported by funding from Lumina Foundation. (For more information visitwww.businesschampions.org)

Business Champions members are taking on the task of encouraging more business leaders nationwide to upskill the American workforce by investing in ongoing education, training and career advancement support for their employees.

"More than ever before, businesses need to invest in ongoing education, training and career advancement support for employees," said Rob Lauber, Chief Learning Officer at McDonald's Corporation. "That's why McDonald's recently announced Archways to Opportunity, a strategy that includes resources and support, like tuition assistance and advising services, to help eligible employees working in McDonald's restaurants overcome the many barriers to pursuing educational goals."

At a meeting today in Washington, DC, Business Champions members reported on their progress in the following areas aimed at building a next generation workforce:

  • Return on Investment Report to Measure the Impact of Worker Credentials on Business (Final report expected Spring 2016)
  • Designation to Recognize Excellence in Business Investment in Workforce Development and Credentialing
  • Advocacy for State and National Policy Changes that Foster Workforce Development and Credential Completion

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Business Champions Supporting Credential Completion is a coalition of U.S. business leaders committed to helping more American companies stay competitive through investment in the development and education of their employees. This unique collaboration is facilitated by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and The Aspen Institute Skills for America's Future, organizations dedicated to helping more employees in the U.S. gain access to the education and training they need to advance on career paths to better paying jobs. For more information visitwww.businesschampions.org.

Media contact:
Bridget DeSimone, 301-280-5735, bdesimone@burness.com
Beth Doyle, CAEL, 312-499-2350 or 773-612-6561, bdoyle@cael.org
Brin Segal, 310-907-6444, brin.segal@kemperlesnik.com

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