To promote widespread adoption of promising approaches in workforce development, the Collaborative underwrites opportunities for local workforce providers to learn from national experts and to network with peers.

• The Collaborative worked with the DC Jobs Council to create Workforce Wednesdays, a peer-to-peer learning and professional development series for frontline workforce development staff.  Workforce Wednesdays has provided learning and peer-networking activities for more than 100 local workforce professionals.  Speakers have encompassed a wide array of training providers, government officials, social service providers, and various employers, including Starbucks, Wiliam C. Smith, HGM Management & Technologies, Inc., Mandarin Oriental Washington, MC Dean, and the DC Chamber of Commerce.
  
• In partnership with Aspen Institute Workforce Strategies Initiative, the Collaborative sponsored a Workforce Leaders Academy for senior staff at local workforce organizations.  Through a year-long series of workshops (September 2009 - June 2010), the Academy provided peer learning opportunities, technical assistance, and conversations with national workforce experts to 20 competitively selected leaders from across the region.  Experiences included interaction with organizations such as Capotal IDEA, District 1199C Traiing & Upgrading Fund, the National Skills Coalition, the Job Opportunities Task Force, the Biotechnical Institute of Maryland, Inc., NY City Departmenr of Small Business Services, New Century Careers, and the Hitachi Foundation.
  
• In partnership with Public/Private Ventures, the Collaborative recently launched a three-part professional development series titled Making Data Work for You: Using Data to Improve Performance.  To date, 20 individuals representing 15 different organizations have participated.