“The primary focus at Skills in terms of the jobs-first model is to look at workforce development and actually engage first and foremost with the employer,” says Daniel Cervantes, senior VP, Skills for America’s Future.

WorkingNation sat down with Cervantes at JFF Horizons in New Orleans.

As the organization scales nationally, Cervantes says, “We can serve as the connective tissue between employers, community organizations, talent providers, and job seekers.”

“There are a lot of different stakeholders who, ultimately, are driving towards the same thing. Right? Deep investments with historically untapped talent. Our focus – by starting with the employer is to be much more holistic and go deep. Get buy-in from the top to the bottom and be able to create solutions to work backwards in that workforce development equation.”

Cervantes continues, “As an employer, there’s an opportunity to really change lives and give folks an opportunity to have quality jobs, sustainable wages.”

Learn more about Skills for America’s Future.