Skills
Provide practical, employer-informed learning experiences.
About us
Skills Create Opportunity.
Skills Opportunity Foundation is a nonprofit workforce development organization helping people build practical skills, access career pathways, enter apprenticeships, and secure lasting employment.
Skills Opportunity Foundation is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 42-5021987). Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Our Mission & Vision
Mission
Skills Opportunity Foundation expands access to hands-on skills training and creates pathways to apprenticeship, employment, and lasting careers.
Vision
A future where every person has a clear path to build practical skills, connect with opportunity, and succeed in a meaningful career.
How we work
Our Approach
Access
Reduce barriers that prevent people from entering skilled careers.
Partnership
Build strong relationships among educators, employers, workforce systems, apprenticeship sponsors, and communities.
Career Mobility
Help participants move beyond temporary jobs and into long-term career pathways.
Why we exist
Shortening the Distance to a Better Career
The distance between wanting a better career and knowing how to enter one can be enormous. Skills Opportunity Foundation exists to shorten that distance.
We help individuals understand career options, develop foundational skills, gain practical experience, and build relationships with the employers and apprenticeship programs that can move them forward.
Leadership
Meet Our Leadership
Skills Opportunity Foundation is being built by leaders with experience in workforce development, education, construction, community partnerships, and hands-on learning.
Dennis W. McClung
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Dennis leads the strategic development and day-to-day operations of Skills Opportunity Foundation, including workforce initiatives, partnerships, grant development, fundraising, organizational operations, and program growth.
His work draws on experience spanning workforce development, nonprofit leadership, agriculture and food systems, construction and project management, experiential education, communications, and cross-sector partnerships.
Areas of Focus
- Organizational Leadership
- Workforce Development
- Agriculture & Food Systems
- Construction & Project Management
- Strategic Partnerships
- Grants & Fundraising
- Program Development
Nicholas Palermo
Co-Founder & Program Director
Nicholas leads the development and delivery of Skills Opportunity Foundation's hands-on construction training programs, including construction curriculum, practical skills instruction, jobsite safety, instructor coordination, and contractor relationships.
His background in hands-on construction gives him a first-hand understanding of jobsite expectations — and helps ensure that training reflects the skills, practices, and professionalism participants will encounter in the field.
His work centers on practical skill development and workforce preparation: mentoring participants, building confidence with real tools and real projects, and connecting training to apprenticeship and employment opportunities.
Areas of Focus
- Construction Training
- Curriculum Development
- Hands-On Instruction
- Jobsite Safety
- Contractor Engagement
- Apprenticeship & Employer Pathways
Leadership experience
Experience Behind the Model
Skills Opportunity Foundation is a new organization, but the experience behind its model has been built through years of hands-on work in workforce development, construction, agriculture, nonprofit leadership, project management, education, and community partnerships.
Agricultural & Workforce Campus Development
Leadership experience developing and managing a multi-acre nonprofit agricultural campus integrating greenhouse production, hydroponics, aquaponics, traditional agriculture, construction, property improvement, volunteers, workforce development, and community partnerships.
Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems
Experience through Garden Pool and related initiatives involving aquaponics, aeroponics, sustainable agriculture, food-system design, education, training, consulting, and community-based projects.
Construction & Project Delivery
Experience managing construction, contractors, procurement, facilities development, property improvements, scheduling, budgets, volunteers, and complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
Partnerships & Program Development
Experience developing relationships and initiatives involving nonprofits, educational institutions, universities, government and international organizations, employers, volunteers, and community stakeholders.
Experience described above includes work completed by SOF leadership prior to the formation of Skills Opportunity Foundation.
Board of Directors
Governance & Stewardship
Skills Opportunity Foundation is developing an independent Board of Directors to provide governance, financial oversight, strategic guidance, and accountability as the organization grows. The Board is separate from the organization's operational leadership.
Chair
To Be Announced
Treasurer
To Be Announced
Secretary
To Be Announced
Director
Workforce & Apprenticeship Perspective
To Be Announced
Director
Education / Industry / Community Perspective
To Be Announced
Interested in helping build pathways to skilled careers?
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