SkillUp America with Kerry Twomey

To learn more about the SkillUpAmerca Summit, visit: https://www.skillupamerica.org/

To learn more about the SkillUpAmerca Summit, visit: https://www.skillupamerica.org/

In this episode, John Benson, Director of Operations for the South Dallas Employment Project, shares the story behind his journey from government contracting to leading one of Texas's most impactful workforce initiatives. He discusses the importance of wraparound services—such as ID recovery, transportation, and housing—in helping individuals overcome employment barriers, particularly those who are justice-impacted. John also highlights the project's collaboration with partners like TXU and the Texas Workforce Commission, and how tools like Metrix Learning are supporting skill development. Listeners will hear how a holistic, community-centered approach is helping people not only find jobs but build sustainable futures.

Meet our guest John Benson! https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-benson-66051413b/

Learn about Redemption Bridge https://www.redemptionbridge.org/ and it's CEO and Founder Wes Jurey https://www.linkedin.com/in/wes-jurey-89a22922b/ Learn more about the South Dallas Employment Project https://www.southdallasemploymentproject.org/

In this episode of SkillUp America, we sit down with Therese Daly, President and CEO of United Way of New York State and 2-1-1 New York, for a powerful conversation about advocacy, equity, and workforce resilience. Therese shares her unexpected leadership journey, the lessons she learned stepping into critical roles during times of crisis, and how data can drive smarter, more human-centered policy decisions. From supporting aging workers to improving childcare access, Therese offers insight into what it really takes to build systems that serve people first.

Links:

• Learn more about our guest Therese Daly: https://uwnys.org/about-therese/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/therese-daly-2553051a6/
• Find out more about the United Way of New York State and 211 New York: https://uwnys.org/
• Get familiar with ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) and read the 2025 ALICE NY Report: https://uwnys.org/alice/
• Check out NYATEP's advocacy work: https://www.nyatep.org/NYATEP_Advocacy
• Download national workforce development advocacy resources to use when advocating:
  • National Association of Workforce Development Professionals https://www.nawdp.org/page/AdvocacyToolkit
  • National Association of Workforce Boards https://www.nawb.org/advocacy-policy/advocacy-tools/
• Read about the importance of skills training from the National Skills Coalition: https://nationalskillscoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/NSC_EmpiricalCaseforSkills_May2025.pdf
• Learn about New York Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/andrea-stewart-cousins/about

Tune in as Mike Fazio, Co-President of Workforce180 and Metrix Learning, interviews Denise Bourdeaux, Director of Career Services at the Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (AAWDC) in Maryland. Denise shares her journey from teaching to workforce development, discussing the challenges of dealing with parents as an educator and her transition to helping service members enter the civilian workforce. The conversation delves into the biases employers may have towards veterans, the importance of soft skills, and the role of AAWDC in connecting job seekers with employment opportunities.

In this episode of the SkillUp America podcast, Mike Fazio, Co-President of Workforce180 and Metrix Learning, interviews Sam Caucci, founder and CEO of 1Huddle, a company that helps organizations onboard and upskill workers through game-based learning on mobile devices. They discuss how 1Huddle landed in Newark, NJ, and became part of a growing tech hub there. Sam explains how mobile technology still has room for advancement in the enterprise environment, and advocates for more investment in frontline workers for recruitment and skills development purposes.

Tune in as Mike Fazio, Skillup America host and Co-President of Workforce180 and Metrix Learning, is joined by Doug Foresta, Director of Podcast Services, and Jerry Mattiace, Co-President of Workforce180 and Metrix Learning, to discuss Workforce180's recent acquisition by Certus, which also owns Metrix Learning. Mike and Jerry discuss how their experience in the telecom industry helped them build a successful organization serving the needs of workforce professionals. Discover insights about the future of workforce training and how leveraging the Workforce180 and Metrix Learning brands will allow customers to take advantage of an end-to-end training solution that serves everyone from front-line workforce staff to the entire community.

This episode features a conversation with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) expert Jeri Perkins as she talks about the importance of DEI efforts for organizations. Jeri talks about how organizations can keep a focus on DEI year-round and how to move beyond "check the box" inclusion. Discover how to create a work environment where all employees feel valued.

Paul Grzella, Director of The Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board in New Jersey, joins the program to discuss the success that his organization is having using the Metrix Learning platform and how the platform allows them to serve a wide range of customers. Paul reveals how the data gathered by the platform helps when communicating with employers. Discover some of the most in-demand skills that employers are looking for, and the importance of helping customers cultivate soft skills.

This episode features a conversation with author and coach Judy Balloff as she talks about the importance of mindset when looking for a new career. Judy shares her own experiences of reinventing herself after mid-life, and why she strongly believes in lifelong learning and skill-building. Discover how to cultivate a positive mindset no matter what the situation.