Stuart Bass Progress Worx Collaborations

The AFL-CIO Working for America Institute (WAI) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) national workforce intermediary organization that assists unions, employers, workforce intermediary partnerships, the workforce system, and community organizations by advocating for and providing employment and training related services that help to create, expand and retain high quality jobs. The WAI works with AFL-CIO institutions (more than 600 state labor federations, local labor councils, and the Industrial Union Council) and unions, employers, workforce boards, and apprenticeship officials to increase the effectiveness of economic development and workforce systems.

WAI provided great support when I was the statewide coordinator of the Keystone Transit Career Ladder Partnership funded by the PA Department of Labor & Industry. In 2015, I managed the KDP team when we were partners in the UDOL American Apprenticeship Initiative grant to promote the Industrial Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship program. In 2016, I was the project manager for the manufacturing initiative of the US DOL Multi-Industry Intermediary multi-year contract for WAI. The KDP team helped to exceed the deliverables for each project and leveraged resources to exceed the goals. 

I’m currently a partner with WAI on the USDOL funded Partnership to Advance Manufacturing Apprenticeships (PAMA.)  200 companies including Mack Truck and Newport News Shipbuilding plus locals from 10 unions including USW, IAM, and IBEW participate in PAMA to address complex workforce challenges in a competitive global marketplace of advanced manufacturing.  The partners include labor related workforce development intermediaries from across the country – Jobs For the Future, Keystone Development Partnership, Machinists Institute, Michigan Workforce Development Institute, Minnesota Training Partnership , and the California Labor Federation Workforce and Economic Development.   For more info see PAMA Brochure. 

I support WAI in their partnership with JFF on Rapid It Training and Employment Initiative and worked with WAI and JFF on the USDOL Job Quality Academy.

WAI is a partner for the US Department of Energy funded Battery Workforce Initiative. I work with a team to develop training guidelines for entry-level positions such as machine operator for the emerging US lithium battery manufacturing sector. 

 Jobs for the Future (JFF) is a national nonprofit that builds educational and economic opportunity for underserved populations in the United States. JFF develops innovative programs and public policies that increase college readiness and career success and build a more highly skilled, competitive workforce.

I've been working with JFF since 2015. KDP was a partner on an American Apprenticeship Initiative grant with the Working for America Institute funded by the US Department of Labor (USDOL) to promote the Industrial Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship program nationally. Later, I served as a subject matter expert with the Apprenticeship Expansion and Modernization Fund. 

I also serve as a subject matter expert for two USDOL contracts with JFF - Improving Diversity and Equity in Apprenticeships for Manufacturing and JFF's National Innovation Hub for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Registered Apprenticeship 

The United States Department of Labor has designated Progress Worx an Apprenticeship Ambassador. The USDOL is committed to expanding, diversifying, and modernizing Registered Apprenticeship to support the success of workers, employers and communities across the country.

As champions for Registered Apprenticeship, Apprenticeship Ambassadors will partner with USDOL to:

Promote and expand awareness of the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship in the U.S. for industry, employers, career seekers, educators, and communities as a whole;

Identify and scale innovative practices and partnerships to modernize, strengthen, and accelerate the adoption of Registered Apprenticeship;

Increase access and support for underrepresented and underserved populations in Registered Apprenticeship including women, youth, people of color, rural communities, justice-involved individuals, and people with disabilities; and

Communicate the business case for Registered Apprenticeship as a mainstream workforce strategy for high-demand industries and creating opportunities for good jobs for all Americans across the economy.

Through my work with partners, I provide technical assistance for employers, unions, and other organizations to sponsor Registered Apprenticeship programs.

I've worked with the International Transportation Learning Center since it was founded.  It is the only national organization that focuses on the frontline workforce in public transportation and transportation in general. It is the only organization funded by the Federal Transit Administration, the US Department of Labor, and the Transit Cooperative Research Program to develop and support technical training partnerships for today’s and tomorrow’s front-line work force. 

Mission Statement The International Transportation Learning Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public transportation at the national level and within communities. To accomplish this mission, the Center builds labor-management training partnerships that improve organizational performance, expand workforce knowledge, skills and abilities, and promote career advancement.  

Transport Workers Union Local 234 was an original partner with SEPTA when the Center was formed.  With the Center’s support, I became the statewide coordinator of the Keystone Transit Career Ladder Partnership that included 33 public transit agencies and 23 unions in the labor management training program across PA.  I continue work with the Center assisting transit agencies and unions to enhance mentoring programs for new hires and apprentices.

Keystone Development Partnership (KDP) is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to create labor management and workforce development programs in Pennsylvania to serve local communities.  

Today KDP serves this mission by helping to catalyze training and apprenticeship programs and manage regional partnerships.   KDP brings together employers, unions, training providers, industry associations, community-based organizations and public agencies to collaborate on initiatives that improve labor skills and productivity.  KDP's work helps ensure businesses have the skilled workers they need to thrive and unions have effective training programs for their members.

In 2005, I the President of the PA AFL-CIO appointed me as the founding director of Keystone Development Partnership. The PA Department of Labor & Industry funded KDP and local workforce boards hired KDP to start and manage Industry Partnerships. 

In 2015, KDP became a partner with Jobs For the Future and the AFL-CIO Working for America Institute on the US Department of Labor funded project to promote the Industrial Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship. 

I’m very proud of leading the design for the KDP Registered Apprenticeship Navigator program that was registered in 2020 and continues today to expand the Keystone Apprenticeship Ambassador Network in Pennsylvania.

I left KDP to go on my own to do the work I love as Progress Worx in 2020 to work with stakeholders to customize apprenticeship programs. 

Philadelphia Works, Inc. (PhilaWorks) is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that serves employers and connects youth and adult career seekers to employment and training opportunities. As Philadelphia’s workforce development hub, PhilaWorks lives at the intersection of business, government, and nonprofits, leveraging existing partnerships and forge new collaborations that positively affect all Philadelphians. 

I have worked with PhilaWorks to support Industry Partnerships since 2006 and helped start the Southeast PA Manufacturers Alliance. They have served as the fiscal agent and grantor for KDP. I work with PhilaWorks on ApprenticeshipPHL to promote apprenticeship as a workforce strategy in the region and supporting the KDP RA Navigator program apprentices from the region.