Dear Friends and Partners of SkillWorks,
 
After nearly nine years at SkillWorks, I am writing with the bittersweet news that I will be stepping down as executive director at the end of July 2014.  My family and I will be relocating as my husband accepts an assistant professorship position this fall.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you--we have accomplished so much together:

• Creating and sustaining the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, and preserving state funding for key workforce development programs
• Providing training, education and advancement opportunities to more than 5,000 low-income individuals
• Building strong relationships with dozens of employers in health care, automotive services, hospitality, financial services, construction trades, building maintenance and others in order to create opportunities and career pathways for entry-level individuals
• Improving connections and sharing among workforce development providers
• Building strong partnerships among workforce development funders

I am fortunate to have been a part of such an exciting time in workforce development in the Commonwealth and to have worked with such talented colleagues with a passion for helping others find rewarding, sustaining careers.  Thank you for your partnership and collegiality, for your thoughtful advice and good humor, and for your willingness to help this native Californian become part of the fabric of Boston.  I am indebted to you.

I leave feeling proud of the strong foundation we have built and confident that SkillWorks will continue on to accomplish even greater things. Over the next few months, I will be working closely with the funders group to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership.  We have already posted a position description, which can be found at http://www.tbf.org/about/careers-at-tbf, and we welcome your referrals!

Please feel free to reach out to me should you have any questions or concerns in the meantime.  Until late July, I can be found at loh-sze.leung@tbf.org or 617-338-4377.

With a grateful heart,

Loh-Sze

A Message from SkillWorks' Co-Chairs

Dear Friends and Partners of SkillWorks:

We are writing to communicate that long-time Executive Director of SkillWorks, Loh-Sze Leung, will be stepping down from her position at the end of July 2014 2014.  She will be relocating with her family as her husband accepts an academic position outside of the Boston area.  We are sad to see Loh-Sze leave SkillWorks, and we thank her for her many years of service and her leadership, commitment, and drive to increase opportunity for residents of the Commonwealth to access better jobs and opportunities.

During Loh-Sze's tenure, SkillWorks has served more than 5,000 individuals, partnered with more than 100 businesses, invested nearly $25 million in training, capacity building and advocacy, and helped leverage over $60 million in increased state funding for workforce training.  SkillWorks has also become a national model, bringing in federal and national foundation dollars to expand opportunity for Boston residents.

SkillWorks' thirteen funders are committed to continuing the success of the initiative, which is on solid financial and programmatic footing. We are now entering our third phase of work, with a clear strategic plan and newly refined governance procedures and policies.  Over the coming months, we will work with Loh-Sze to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership.  

The position description for Executive Director - SkillWorks has already been posted on the Boston Foundation's website.  While the search will be run through the Boston Foundation, current SkillWorks funders will be actively engaged in the hiring process.  Please feel free to reach out to us with referrals or refer interested applicants to http://www.tbf.org/about/careers-at-tbf.  We would like to fill this position by late July, if possible.

Finally, please look for an invitation to an event later this summer to celebrate Loh-Sze and thank her for her many contributions.

Thank you for your partnership in SkillWorks.  

All the best,

Trinh Nguyen and Geeta Pradhan
Co-Chairs, SkillWorks Funders Group

Executive Director - SkillWorks
Position Summary

SkillWorks: Partners for a Productive Workforce is a nationally recognized workforce development intermediary and funder collaborative that addresses the twin goals of helping low income individuals attain family supporting jobs and helping businesses find skilled workers.

Reporting to the SkillWorks Funders Group, the Executive Director is responsible for the initiative's overall success.  The Executive Director is charged with building on SkillWorks' track record, realizing the initiative's vision, maintaining continued financial stability and achieving excellent outcomes for participants and businesses as well as workforce systems and policy changes aligned with initiative goals.

SkillWorks is housed at and receives significant support from the Boston Foundation, which serves as the initiative's fiscal sponsor. 

Find the full position description and apply at http://www.tbf.org/about/careers-at-tbf

   420 Boylston Street, 4th Floor
   Boston, MA 02116
  
   www.skill-works.org | @skillworks_MA 

STAY CONNECTED