Building Reciprocal Partnerships That Strengthen Regional Talent: A gener8tor Skills Conversation with Vickie Patterson
Workforce innovation gets easier when the partnership is truly reciprocal.
In this episode of our gener8tor Skills Impact Series, Anne Nadel sat down with Vickie Patterson, one of our incredible program partners for gener8tor Skills in Northeast Wisconsin. Through our partnership with the Bay Area Workforce Development Board, we have worked together to expand access to in demand career pathways and connect job seekers to meaningful opportunities across the region.
What makes this collaboration stand out is a shared commitment to doing something different. With flexible funding and a clear understanding of regional workforce needs, Vickie and her team chose to invest in innovative, responsive training solutions. They first launched virtual upskilling through the gener8tor Skills Accelerator, creating greater access for learners who needed flexibility. From there, they layered in generative AI training for incumbent workers and business leaders, ensuring the region’s workforce could adapt to rapid technological change.
The through line was not just delivering training, but meeting people where they are and supporting them through change. By staying aligned, open to iteration, and grounded in community needs, the partnership continues to evolve alongside the workforce it serves.
A few highlights from our partnership with the Bay Area Workforce Development Board:
5 years of partnership
42 cohorts delivered
332 participants served
274 program graduates
82 percent average graduation rate
Vickie’s insight speaks directly to the power of collaboration: strong partnerships create space to brainstorm, iterate, and build programs that truly fit the community.
Her takeaway is simple and timely. Skills matter more every year, and the best time to start is when you see the need.
Watch the full conversation here:
