Partner4Work CEO tapped as President of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), a Strada Education Network affiliate

PITTSBURGH (February 17, 2021) — Earl Buford, Chief Executive Officer of Partner4Work (P4W), will step down after nearly three years to become President of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), an affiliate of the Indianapolis-based Strada Education Network. Mr. Buford assumes the role on April 12, 2021. 

“Earl has been a tireless advocate for the region’s businesses, job seekers, workers, and youth by taking an already strong public workforce system and elevating its portfolio and profile to a national stage,” said David J. Malone, Partner4Work Chair. “Earl’s contributions to the region cannot be overstated. Under his leadership, Partner4Work established itself as the model for workforce development boards across the country. The region’s business, job seekers, workers, and communities will continue to advance because of the solid foundation Earl has built. 

“It is with deep appreciation and the utmost confidence that we wish Earl well on his next chapter and look forward to his successes and continuing to bring strategic partnerships to the Pittsburgh region through his work at CAEL.” 

Established in 1974, CAEL forges viable connections between education and career success for adult learners. CAEL provides solutions to promote sustainable and equitable economic growth in collaboration with workforce and economic developers, post-secondary educators, employers and industry groups, foundations, and other mission-aligned groups. Strada Education Network is a social impact organization that combines research, thought leadership, strategic philanthropy, mission-aligned investments and its network affiliates to establish purposeful pathways between education and employment. 

Since taking the leadership role at P4W in June 2018, Mr. Buford established and delivered several innovations including: 

• Elevating P4W’s profile through strategic partnerships with the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, National Skills Coalition, Jobs for the Future, National Association of Workforce Boards, U.S Conference of Mayors, and other national entities. 
• Establishing Pittsburgh as a member city of Midwest Urban Strategies, a coalition of 13 urban workforce boards united to advance economic and workforce development, secure resources, and share best practices. As a member city, Pittsburgh received nearly $9 million in U.S. Department of Labor funds to reconnect dislocated workers and returning citizens with meaningful career opportunities. 
• Mobilizing a robust network of industry-led and strategic partnerships in key sectors including Financial Services, Retail and Hospitality, Construction, Manufacturing, and Early Childhood Education.
• Attracting and delivering nationally renowned and industry-recognized training solutions including BankWork$®, IBM SkillsBuild, and Per Scholas. 
  Formalizing an agreement with the Pittsburgh Arena Real Estate Development (PAR) and the Buccini Pollin Group to establish a designated first-source workforce development initiative for the Lower Hill District redevelopment. 
• Launching the Ready to Work COVID Recovery Response Coalition with the leadership of numerous entities including business and philanthropic leaders, education, Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh, and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. This strategic coalition has established or advanced numerous efforts with a particular focus on job quality and diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• Convening the Pittsburgh Area Funding Collaborative to bring $500,000 in National Fund for Workforce Solutions resources support industry partnerships and other workforce efforts. 
• Expanding P4W’s portfolio of adult and youth service providers including connecting nearly 6,000 young adults with employment through Learn & Earn, the summer jobs program delivered jointly with Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh.

Before his role at Partner4Work, Mr. Buford was President and Chief Executive Officer of Employ Milwaukee, where he was nationally recognized for the implementation and integration of a sector-based approach to workforce development. Under his charge, Employ Milwaukee provided direct employer engagement through Industry Advisory Boards to respond to current and anticipated workforce and economic development needs. 

Mr. Buford succeeds Alex Morrison, Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Solutions at Strada Educational Network. Mr Morrison has served as the interim President at CAEL since the spring of 2020. 

The Partner4Work Executive Committee expects to begin the search for Mr. Buford’s replacement immediately and will name an interim CEO shortly.