Building Job-Ready Talent through Community Colleges

A group of diverse students sits along a railing in a modern indoor space, engaged in conversation and using laptops, with large windows in the background letting in natural light.

The Richmond region ranks 49th out of 50 major metropolitan areas for economic mobility. For many families here, working hard is often not enough. Real mobility depends on systems that work together – education aligned with workforce needs, designed for real lives, and accessible to people at every stage.

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Next-Gen Sector Partnerships

Logo with blue circular design; text reads Next Generation Sector Partnerships and An initiative of Formation with Formation’s logo, all on a light gray background.

Next Gen Sector Partnerships bring businesses from the same industry together with workforce, education, economic development, and community partners to address shared competitiveness and talent needs. The model is industry-driven, community-supported, and designed to sustain long-term regional alignment around workforce and economic growth strategies. Source: Next Gen

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The Working Class Needs Quality Jobs

Illustration of cars driving on a highway toward a city skyline at sunset, with a road sign reading Richmond on the right side. The scene is rendered in shades of orange, yellow, and brown.

This Brookings Metro report proposes a measurable, wage-based definition of “quality jobs” to help regional leaders better align economic development and workforce strategies. It offers data tools and frameworks that allow regions to identify where quality jobs exist, who has access to them, and how systems can coordinate to expand opportunity. Source: Brookings

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Invisible Civic Infrastructure

A metal pedestrian bridge with a wooden walkway leads towards modern office buildings. Trees and clouds are visible under a blue sky. Trash cans and a green sign flank the bridge entrance.

This Brookings Metro report defines five civic capabilities that regions need to intentionally link economic growth strategies with inclusion efforts. Drawing on case studies from across the country, it offers a framework for business leadership organizations, chambers, and regional intermediaries working to advance racially inclusive prosperity. Source: Brookings

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