Barbara Bolin is the Managing Director/CEO of Bolin Enterprises, LLC, a consulting, training, and public speaking business based in Lansing, MI.

Barbara specializes in all aspects of economic development, and she is a strong advocate for a systems approach that meets the needs of both employers (demand-side) and career seekers (supply-side). She is an innovative and visionary leader in the field of skills and career development and she is a specialist in skills certification (see Career Readiness Certificate below), metrics and continuous improvement.

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)

 

Barbara has an undisputed reputation as one of the most dynamic, informative, and entertaining speakers in the country, and she is a very successful trainer on a variety of topics.

"I wanted to thank you for your help with the math program, I know that the guys really appreciated the time that you spent helping them get through the program. I have spoken with many of the guys who all rate your class as one of the best they have attended, the manner that you introduced the material was very helpful and I believe they will carry the knowledge they have learnt and apply it for the rest of their lives.

Again thanks for a job well done"

Colin Chapman, Meridian Magnesium Products of America May 2009
 

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.

Gov. Warner and his Workforce Development team, 2005

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.

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).

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.

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