OneTen Coalition Names Nation’s Leading Nonprofit Online University Approved Education Partner
Western Governors University’s skills-based model will support coalition efforts to create new skills-based education and employment opportunities for Black Americans
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SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Western Governors University (WGU) today announced that it has been approved as an educational partner by OneTen, a coalition of leading leaders and organizations who are committed to developing, hiring and promoting one million Black Americans over the next 10 years in family support jobs with opportunities for advancement.
As part of OneTen’s Talent Development Partner Network, WGU joins other local, regional and national education and skills development organizations that help diverse talent identify, develop and develop the skills needed to succeed. This is one of many partnerships WGU has established to amplify skills-based education and employment as a more objective, equitable, and effective way to connect today’s students to career opportunities. jobs available.
“WGU was founded to provide opportunities for student populations who have historically been underserved by higher education,” said WGU President Scott Pulsipher. “Together with OneTen, we will expand equitable access to opportunity and advancement for more Black Americans, while creating more flexible talent pipelines and practices that allow employees and employers to thrive.”
WGU is uniquely suited to support OneTen’s mission – and in particular its 10-year timeline – due to its competency-based and competency-based education model, which effectively helps graduates connect to opportunities in their fields. The model measures skills rather than attendance time, allowing students to apply the skills and knowledge they have acquired to accelerate the course. The average time to graduate for WGU bachelor’s degree students is two years and three months, and the university’s flat-rate tuition of approximately $7,000 per year allows students to graduate with less debt. The average graduation debt per WGU undergraduate student who borrowed is $14,255, compared to the national average of $29,850. As the nation’s largest university, WGU is also well positioned to support OneTen’s vision at scale, graduating approximately 50,000 degrees annually.
OneTen was founded in 2020 with initial commitments from 37 leading companies dedicated to making a lasting systemic impact on racial and economic justice. OneTen manages relationships between talent partners, such as WGU, and employers to ensure the quality and long-term growth of workforce development programs and diversity initiatives, while employees use their skills-based training to gain meaningful employment.
“We look forward to Western Governors University joining us as an approved talent developer to support us in our mission to hire and advance black talent in our country,” said Maurice Jones, CEO of OneTen. . “This effort will require a multidisciplinary and highly functional coalition of American businesses, talent developers, black talent, talent support and others, and it is crucial that we have high quality partners like WGU on this team. We are grateful for the work they have already done and look forward to partnering with them in the future.
About WGU
Founded in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to affordable, high-quality higher education, the nonprofit online WGU now serves more than 128,000 students nationwide and has more than 240 000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading skills-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, heads of state, employers, and students as a working model in post-secondary education. In just 24 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly changing economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, was named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at wgu.edu and wgu.edu/impact.
About OneTen
OneTen is a coalition of leading business leaders and their companies coming together to develop, hire, and promote one million Black Americans over the next 10 years who have yet to earn a four-year degree in family jobs offering opportunities for advancement. We connect employers with talent partners, leading nonprofits, and other skills certification organizations that support the development of diverse talent. By creating a more equitable and inclusive workforce, we believe we can reach our full potential as a nation of united citizens.
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CONTACT: Mark Toth Western Governors University 385-428-7503 [email protected]
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