ABOUT THE NATIONAL NEXT GEN SECTOR PARTNERSHIP COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
The National Next Gen Community of Practice (COP) provides an opportunity for peer-to-peer learning and exchange among Next Gen practitioners across the country. Plug in virtually through national conference calls, webinars and other opportunities for peer dialogue. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list for the latest updates on upcoming events.
Core Values that Guide the Community of Practice
Progress over perfection. There’s no way to build a “perfect” Next Gen Sector Partnership. Instead, it’s about continually working toward sustained industry leadership and alignment across public partners and systems. This work is never done. Setbacks and course corrections are as much a part of the process as wins and milestones. The strongest partnerships know it’s about the integrity of the process more than achieving some ideal end result.
Continuous learning. The Next Gen model is always developing and evolving. We learn from on-the-ground experience of practitioners first and foremost who teach us what works and what doesn’t. We also apply evidence-based practices from across the fields of education, workforce and economic development to inform our Toolkit and coaching. We are committed to continuous improvement, challenging our assumptions and asking good, hard questions.
It’s about the work, not the brand. The Next Gen model is a distinct methodology, different from traditional sector partnership models in key ways. Those distinctions are critical to its success and staying power. Also critical to its success? Ensuring logos and egos don’t get in the way of shared ownership and impact. Use the Next Gen brand when it’s helpful to refer to a nationally recognized and proven methodology. But let it go if it gets in the way of building ownership and authentic buy-in from regional partners. We care more about the integrity of the work than about who gets the credit.
Ways to Plug In
101 workshop
New to Next Gen? Have team members who need an orientation? In need of a refresh yourself? We will be holding a two-part Next Gen 101 virtual series. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone new to Next Gen to get a crash course in the what, why and how of Next Gen Sector Partnership-building. The training is open to anyone interested in learning more.
February 19-20, 2025
COP Calls & Webinars
Want to connect with fellow conveners, industry champions and partners? Join our COP calls & webinars to share and hear from your peers by discussing how partnerships around the country are approaching economic recovery, highlighting the strategies that are making an impact and the challenges along the way. Check out upcoming calls here and sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.
Missed one of the calls? Wanting to review topics discussed in a webinar? Take a look at our previous community of practice webinars at the bottom of the events page.