Barbara
Bolin has built a strong reputation as an innovative and visionary
leader in the field of skills and career development. For the
last decade, she has been a strong advocate for a systems approach
to career development that meets the needs of both employers
(demand-side) and career seekers (supply-side).
Barbara
is the Managing Director/CEO of Bolin Enterprises, LLC, a consulting
and public speaking business that specializes in all aspects
of economic development. Barbara is also a specialist in metrics
and continuous improvement. Barbara has an undisputed reputation
as one of the most dynamic, informative, and entertaining speakers
in the country on a variety of topical issues, and she has served
as a change agent for two governors.
Barbara
recently founded the National Organization for Career Credentialing,
a non-profit organization dedicated to the dissemination of
information about the latest developments and issues in economic
development and skills credentialing, including the Career Readiness
Certificate. Barbara acts as the President of the NOCC (www.nationalOCC.org).

Gov.
Warner and his Workforce Development team, 2005
From
2003-2005, Barbara was the Special Advisor for Workforce Development
to Gov. Mark Warner (D-VA). When Gov. Warner was looking for
projects to promote workforce and economic development as part
of his "Education For A Lifetime" initiative, Barbara
suggested state implementation of a portable skills credential.
Gov. Warner liked the idea and he charged Barbara with developing
the credential, the Career
Readiness Certificate, not only in Virginia, but also across
the economic region defined by seven contiguous states.
Barbara
became the dynamic leader of a consortium of those states and,
today, three years into the project, she has led the group to
an amazing 46 states! Barbara has spent many hours speaking
to government, education, workforce, and economic development
professionals, and her total commitment to the project, coupled
with her extraordinary energy and presentation skills, have
resulted in this tremendous acceptance and implementation of
the Career
Readiness Certificate across so many states.
"I
believe . . . .that the Career Readiness Certificate
will have a lasting impact not only in Virginia but
also in the many states that you have gathered into
this effort. Many in Virginia and across the nation
will benefit because of your efforts."
Gov. Mark Warner, May 2005
|
Barbara
is the author of The Career Readiness Certificate: An
Implementation Handbook. The second edition of the book
is available FREE through the NOCC web site (www.nationalOCC.org).
During
her time in Virginia, Barbara was also responsible for leading
the Virginia Workforce Council, the state workforce investment
board, to a more definitive and decisive role in the workforce
and career development system. The Council imposed a clearly
defined governance structure with accountability on the local
boards, and they voted to adopt strong system measures of
accountability. Local boards in Virginia were required to
undergo a certification process that was comprised of five
standards, including performance standards for customer service
in the one-stop career centers.
Dr.
Bolin
is well-published, and she presents on economic development
issues at national and local conferences. She is available for
consulting and speaking engagements on a variety of topics.
Thank
you for your contribution to our Education to Workforce
Policy Summit in Des Moines. The feedback on your presentation
and dialogue with participants was uniformly positive.
You certainly provided audience members with much to
consider as they endeavor to build a talented workforce
in their respective states.
Larry
Isaak, President, Midwestern Higher Education
Compact (November 2007)
"There
is nothing, and I mean nothing, that you said that was
not right on target. I am Vice-Chair, private sector
for this [Central Tennessee Workforce Investment] board
and I must say that you were a "breath of fresh
air". . .
I
thank God for people like you that say it like it is
and are doing something about it".
Donald
Reeves, Jr., President, SCSI Business Solutions,
LLC, Columbia, TN (October, 2006)
|
Born
and raised in England, Barbara has a direct delivery style and
a great sense of humor. Because she spent 22 years in Australia,
Barbara’s accent is intriguing yet still essentially British.
Barbara’s professional experiences, including being a
member of two Cabinets at the state level, extensive education
and teaching positions, and valuable private sector experience,
bring a uniqueness to her presentations and consulting work.
She finds it easy to communicate with audiences representing
various constituencies.

With
Gov. Engler and Ms. Juanita Perryman, Chair of the Governor's
Workforce Commission
Barbara
Bolin was formerly the Director of the Department of Career
Development for Gov. John Engler (R-MI). As the leader of this
nationally unique department, from 1999-2002, Barbara led Michigan
to national prominence. Her model for a systematic approach
to career development across agencies and funding streams is
now accepted as the national norm! Barbara was one of the first
experts in the nation to fight for a partnership between economic
development, education and workforce development initiatives.
Before
accepting Gov. Engler’s invitation, Barbara Bolin was
the first Associate Vice-President for Workforce Education at
Austin Community College. In 1996, Barbara was appointed by
Gov. George W. Bush to the Texas Science and Technology Council,
representing Texas Community Colleges.

From
1997-1999, Austin Community College and Barbara were recognized
as leaders in workforce development. Dr. Bolin was the first
administrator at ACC to bring a private sector approach to workforce
education.
From
1993-1997, Barbara was a member of Dell University at Dell Computer
Corporation in Texas. She initiated and implemented the Kirkpatrick
4-Level Training Evaluation model across Dell, and she represented
the corporation in all aspects of industry/education collaboration
and workforce preparation.
Barbara
holds a BS in Mathematics and Science and a teaching degree
from South Australia, a Masters Degree from the University of
Texas, and a Ph.D. in Industrial Education from Texas A&M
University. She began her professional career as a mathematics
and science teacher in high schools in Australia, and after
moving to the United States in 1983, she taught mathematics,
mathematics education, and statistics at Tyler Junior College,
the University of Texas at Tyler, and Texas A&M. Since that
time, Barbara has taught in a number of colleges and universities
as an adjunct faculty member. These include Austin Community
College, St. Edward's University, Davenport University, Baker
College and Lansing Community College.
[Top
of Page] |