New partnership announced: BLU partners with ACCE to advance skills policy

Collaboration will establish national network of BLU affiliates to drive state and federal policy wins

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Business Leaders United for Workforce Partnerships (BLU) is excited to announce a new strategic partnership with the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). This new partnership pairs BLU’s business-driven skills policy expertise with ACCE’s robust network of over 1300 local, regional, and state chambers of commerce to elevate the voice of employers in skills policy advocacy.

With the support of the Ballmer Group and J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation, ACCE and BLU will develop a network of seven state-based BLU affiliates in 2019, to be joined by a second cohort in 2020. These BLU affiliates, led by representatives of the chamber community in each state, will be charged with organizing a diverse coalition of businesses and business associations from across each state in order to develop a shared skills policy agenda on behalf of the state’s business community.

BLU will provide infrastructure support and policy guidance to each state affiliate, and ACCE will assist the lead organizations with targeted coalition building and network growth.

With initiatives such as the Education and Talent Development Division, ACCE has been a critical leader in organizing businesses around skills education and training in their local communities. The opportunity to partner with ACCE is a natural next step for BLU as we seek to demonstrate the vital role that businesses play in shaping workforce policy that bolsters inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

For more information about the BLU state affiliate network, please contact Rob Garcia.