Need Many skills training programs fall short of reaching their employment outcomes, particularly those directed to the long-term unemployed. There are various reasons for this: • They are short-term interventions (typically 3 to 6 months) and inflexible (one size fits all regardless of the issues the participant brings to the table). • There is no clear progressive path so participants bounce around between training programs with no particular direction. • On the other hand, those providing the training have not brought industry partners to the table to help define required work place skills and provide job placements. Often, programs do not provide follow-up to ensure that people get and keep jobs after they have completed skills training program. How can we expect different results, if we continue to apply the same conventional models and methods? Over the past year, an FTE working group brought together their experience, examined the current policies and programs and determined that a fresh and innovative approach to address unemployment issues is necessary.