Obama Labor Department Official Joins Finance Startup Working to Close Skills Gaps

FRISCO, Texas, March 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Meritize, the developer of merit-based financing and career solutions, today announced that Seth Harris, former Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor and Deputy Secretary of Labor under President Barack Obama has joined the firm as an advisor. Harris brings three decades of experience in labor, employment and workforce policy and law to Meritize, which bridges the gap between job-seekers, training providers, and employers with the mission of closing skill-gaps for in-demand roles.

"Industries like allied health, industrial manufacturing, and medical technology that are already facing challenges finding the skilled workers they need are discovering that these challenges are exacerbated by workers' struggles to learn about training and education opportunities to finance education and training, and to make smooth transitions from training to employment," Harris said. "This is about shifting the financing model away from a backward focus on credit scores or income toward a forward-looking model that takes into account the sometimes-hidden potential of American workers trapped in lower wage jobs."

Now serving a national network of more than 300 training providers that offer more than 3,800 unique and in-demand training programs, Meritize is committed to expanding access to skills training through merit-based lending practices that take into account an individual's academic, military or work achievements to enhance credit evaluation, award credit for merit, and make financing options more affordable.

"Seth brings an incredible depth of expertise on the critical legal and policy issues at stake for employers, education providers and workers alike," said Chris Keaveney, founder and CEO of Meritize. "His experience and national perspective as a policymaker -- and scholar -- will be invaluable as we work to connect more skill-seekers with education and training to advance their careers."

Secretary Harris is an attorney in Washington, D.C. and a Visiting Professor with Cornell University's Cornell Institute for Public Affairs. He continues to write, speak, and advocate on issues relating to labor, employment, and the economy. Previously, he served as a policy advisor to the secretaries of labor in the Clinton Administration and taught and led the labor and employment law programs at New York Law School.

About Meritize

Meritize is a leading provider of financing solutions for skills-based education and workforce development. The company's proprietary merit-based lending program goes beyond traditional underwriting and uses an individual's academic, military or work achievements to enhance credit evaluation and expand funding opportunities, resulting in increased access to educational funding and improved outcomes. In addition to its merit-based lending platform for students and training partners, Meritize works directly with employers on customized talent development solutions to help meet the demand for qualified workers. Frisco, Texas-based Meritize is privately held. For more information, visit www.meritize.com.

SOURCE Meritize

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